Tag Archive for: Tom Scudamore

National winner Lucinda Russell to team up with Michael Scudamore

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Dual Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell will join forces with Michael Scudamore on a joint licence in the summer.

Michael Scudamore will move his operation and most of his horses to Russell’s base in Scotland, with Scudamore’s brother, recently-retired jockey Tom, taking over Michael’s Herefordshire base, which will become a satellite and pre-training yard for the jumps operation.

Russell’s assistant and partner, eight-times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, is relishing the prospect of expanding the family-run operation.

“I find it quite awe-inspiring what we are doing,” said Scudamore, father of Tom and Michael.

“Lucinda put it so well that the key to it all is in our attention to the horses and in particular with the time spent seeing them at home and sourcing them at the sales.

“I feel we need to continue to concentrate on what we are good at and we kind of get dragged away from it sometimes.

“We’ll have Michael and Thomas, and the people already within the yard, like Blair Campbell, who is an ex-jockey, Cameron Wadge and Jamie Duff who are our assistants, who have been quite brilliant.

“But they need to continue their roles.

“So we have thought about it and Michael will join us in Scotland. We’ll use Arlary and Kilduff as the main yards, while adding the facility of a satellite yard at Eccleswall Court near Ross-on-Wye, as a pre-training yard.

Tom Scudamore will head the satellite yard in Herefordshire (
Tom Scudamore will head the satellite yard in Herefordshire (Jeff Holmes/PA)

“Michael can go racing and do a lot of the travelling, and I find the advantage of racing in the north is that the ground is softer in the early season and we can get our horses out and running.

“Then we can take some things down south after that. That’s what we intend to do.

“Therefore Thomas can look after the satellite. It needs upgrading. The gallops and stuff are very good, but some of the boxes need upgrading and we need some investment into the yard. We will get that sorted out.

“I’m pleased for the boys. I’m not getting any younger and they will have to buck themselves up.

“We have to sort out the licence now and that is what we are pushing forward to do. We hope to have that in place by June.”

Last month’s Randox Grand National win with Corach Rambler – a second following One For Arthur’s success in 2017 – helped Russell to a personal best of 71 wins in the 2022-23 jumps season. Her horses earned over £1.5million in prize money, good enough to propel her to sixth in the trainer’s championship.

Ahoy Senor added to Russell's personal-best tally last season
Ahoy Senor added to Russell’s personal-best tally last season (Tim Goode/PA)

Other highlights included Apple Away winning the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Ahoy Senor taking the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and Corach Rambler winning the Ultima Chase for a second consecutive season at Cheltenham.

Michael Scudamore is expected to take around 20 horses north of the border, although Tom Scudamore says local southern owners will still have horses at the Herefordshire base.

Tom Scudamore suffered concussion in a fall at Chepstow in early February and following another spill, he announced his immediate retirement later that month and is now looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

He said: “To be honest, I was more than a bit groggy when I coming back in at Chepstow. I hadn’t a clue where I was.

“But that was then, this is now and it is an exciting venture. We’re all really looking forward to it.

“We’ve all done our own thing and we’ve all had our own success and I’m excited about doing it all together.

Michael Scudamore will be on the joint-licence with Russell
Michael Scudamore will be on the joint licence with Russell (Mike Egerton/PA)

“The success that Dad and Lucinda have had over the last year and also the success that Michael’s had, I just think they will balance each other.

“It is really exciting for all parties involved and I think it just shows you the desire and the ambition of us all that we want to build on what we have achieved and become even more successful.

“We will still have room for local owners and people who don’t want to send their horses to Scotland. It just acts as a base for it, but the hub of the operation will be in Kinross and it just means we can take on the world.

“They have the horses to come down south now. They had winners from all over the country last year and now they have the horses to take everywhere.

“It is not a case of bringing them down and stabling them at racecourses overnight – they can come down, have a week freshening up or whatever, because they have the horses to run at the major southern tracks and take everybody on.

“It just ticks all the boxes and makes perfect sense.”

Johnson hails ‘great role model’ as Scudamore bows out

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Former champion jockey and weighing-room colleague Richard Johnson has led the tributes to Tom Scudamore following the announcement of his immediate retirement.

Scudamore partnered over 1,500 winners, taking him into the top 10 most successful National Hunt jockeys of all time, a list in which Johnson also proudly sits.

While Scudamore never managed to emulate his father, Peter, and be crowned champion, he spent most of his career up against the record-breaking Sir Anthony McCoy.

“Tom is a great fella and was always brilliant to ride against and sit next to in the weighing room, so I’m surprised but at the same time he’s had a fantastic career and I’m not shocked he’s decided this is the right time for him,” said Johnson.

Richard Johnson (right) with Sir Anthony McCoy
Richard Johnson (right) with Sir Anthony McCoy (David Davies/PA)

“It was the same with me. In your own head if you are happy, that’s the right time.

“He’s been a brilliant jockey but even better than that, he’s a great role model for the young jockeys coming through. He has conducted himself brilliantly over the last 20 years and he’s got a lot to be proud of.

“He’s had a very consistent career, obviously he’s had a great association with the Pipes, he was great to deal with and easy to get on with which is important.

“I’m a little bit surprised, but delighted he’s gone out on his own terms. He’s got children and I can assure him he won’t be bored because with children you are busier after you retire!

“As a jockey you are always looking for good horses. He had plenty but then Thistlecrack came along and he was his main horse and the one people will associate with him winning the King George and those types of races.

“When people were looking for a jockey if their normal jockey was injured, Tom was always one of the names to be sought after so he’s got a lot to be proud of.”

Peter Scudamore (left), Tom's father, was a former champion jockey
Peter Scudamore (left), Tom’s father, was a former champion jockey (Mike Egerton/PA)

Peter Scudamore, a multiple champion jockey himself, knew the day was coming but admitted to still feeling a little “numb”.

“It’s mixed emotions. We’ve been very close throughout all his riding career. Most days we spoke,” he said.

“There is an element of surprise, but at the same time there is a feeling of relief. He’s 40 years of age, so I suppose it was inevitable one day.

“I wasn’t shocked, but a little numb I suppose I would say.

“I had lots of records in my career but I think he’s got more than that, he’s got huge respect within the industry and perhaps I should have taken a leaf out of his book!

“The one day that always sticks out in my career is Next Sensation in the Grand Annual, trained by his brother, Michael.

“I was stood with Luce (Lucinda Russell) in the stand by the second-last so we could just see the last fence. On the first circuit the horse made a terrible mistake and he went down and I thought it was all over, but he came back up again.

“It was AP’s (McCoy) final ride at the Festival, it was a very emotional race, my dad had won it and I’d won it too so that was very special.

“I might have ridden more winners than Tom, but in Thistlecrack he rode a horse probably better than I ever came across. Some may say Carvills Hill, but Thistlecrack achieved more on the track.

“He’s made me very proud.”

Thistlecrack was imperious when winning the King George in 2016
Thistlecrack was imperious when winning the King George in 2016 (Julian Herbert/PA)

Scudamore did not ride many for Colin Tizzard but after winning the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Thistlecrack, it was a partnership that was never broken.

Tizzard concentrated on Scudamore’s achievements out of the saddle and simply said: “He was a credit to the industry.

“Everyone else can say whatever they want about him as a jockey, I’ll leave that to them, but he was a credit to the industry.”

Scudamore was linked to the Pond House stables of Martin and then David Pipe throughout his career and the latter tweeted: “Happy retirement @tommyscu!!

“Thank you for your support, dedication, hard work & talent in the saddle for all these years! We have made a great team and share some wonderful memories & fantastic winners. I’m glad you’re going on your own terms and wish you well for the future.”

Tom Scudamore happy to retire on his own terms

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Tom Scudamore is looking to the future after surprising the racing world by announcing his immediate retirement from riding on Friday morning.

The 40-year-old partnered over 1,500 winners his 25-year career in the saddle and he bows out with 10 Cheltenham Festival winners to his credit, highlighted by Thistlecrack’s World Hurdle win in 2016.

Scudamore took his last ride at Leicester on Thursday and after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff, he decided now was the right time, although he is eager to maintain his presence in the sport.

He said: “I’ve had a fantastic time and all good things must come to end and unfortunately my time has come. Time waits for no man and I don’t see it as retirement, just a job change.

“I’m going to take stock, but I’ve got options to work in the media, I’m going to continue being an ambassador in my relationship with Coral and I’d like to stay involved in some way, shape or form.

“I’ve built a lot of good relationships in racing and I’d like to use those to best effect. I’ve got lots of options and lots of things in the pipeline, I’ve got plenty to look forward to.”

Tom Scudamore (left) with father Peter Scudamore (right) and Donald McCain
Tom Scudamore (left) with father Peter Scudamore (right) and Donald McCain (Steve Davies/PA)

The rider hails from a racing dynasty, with his father Peter an eight-times champion jockey over jumps, while his grandfather Michael rode Oxo to victory in the 1959 Grand National. His brother, Michael, is also a successful trainer.

Scudamore rode his first winner in 1998 and recorded his best seasonal tally in the 2014-15 campaign when he partnered 150 winners.

He also enjoyed a long association with the David Pipe yard, following in the footsteps of his father who was stable jockey for Pipe’s father, Martin.

When asked if he might consider joining his brother in a training career, Scudamore replied: “That is an option. Michael is doing a fantastic job on his own, whether that’s with Michael or with David, I will always be there and helping out in some way. Whether that is with owners or schooling or buying horses for them, I will be involved everywhere.

“I will just let the dust settle and see where we are. I want to stay involved somehow.”

Tom Scudamore salutes the Kempton crowd aboard Thistlecrack
Tom Scudamore salutes the Kempton crowd aboard Thistlecrack (Julian Herbert/PA)

Thistlecrack would be the star name among Scudamore’s high-profile winners, having supplemented his 2016 Festival victory with a famous King George VI Chase success later that year.

Scudamore is reluctant to pick out a favourite horse, but believes he owes much to the Pipe-trained Lough Derg, who gave him a string of big-race victories, including the 2007 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

“Thistlecrack was fantastic, he would have been the most talented horse I got to ride and I got to ride some lovely horses,” said Scudamore.

“If it wasn’t for Lough Derg, he got me going on the big scale and every jockey needs that horse for a Saturday. If it wasn’t for Lough Derg, none of the other things would have taken place.

“I owe him an awful lot and he gave me so many great days. It would be wrong to single out a particular horse or anything, but if wasn’t for him none of the others would have been possible.”

Next Sensation sparked joyous scenes for the Scudamore family at Cheltenham
Next Sensation sparked joyous scenes for the Scudamore family at Cheltenham (John Giles/PA)

Scudamore registered a record-equalling three wins in the Coral Gold Trophy and while admitting a fondness for Newbury, he points to Next Sensation’s Grand Annual success for his brother as a particularly memorable win.

He said: “Winning the Coral Gold Trophy three times was a huge buzz, winning the big races round Newbury because it is my favourite course to ride around. Winning the World Hurdle and King George was great, but the one that gave me most pleasure was the Festival winner for my brother and family. That did give me a lot of joy.”

This year’s Cheltenham Festival is now only a matter of weeks away and although Scudamore will not take up his usual place in the weighing room, he is looking forward to savouring the occasion from the other side of the rails.

He added: “I will be there every day in some capacity or other, I’m looking forward to it. We’re all fans of racing and I can watch with a more open mind again now.”

Tom Scudamore calls time on riding career

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Tom Scudamore has announced his retirement from the saddle with immediate effect.

The 40-year-old made the decision to call time on his riding career after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff at Leicester on Thursday, with the fall prompting him to reassess the future.

He told the Daily Mail: “I had a concussion 10 days ago and I have been concussed a few times in the past. At my age you have to be careful. I feel I have had a bit of a warning and falls I could take in the past are harder to take now.

Thistlecrack's King George win was one of Scudamore's career highlights
Thistlecrack’s King George win was one of Scudamore’s career highlights (Julian Herbert/PA)

“There was no concussion after my fall at Leicester but I got a right kicking and I thought I have had my warning now.

“Not everybody gets to go out on their own terms but I am. I am not retiring, I am just changing job, although I don’t know what that job will be yet!”

Scudamore rode over 1,500 winners during his career, with Thistlecrack’s 2016 victories in both the Stayers’ Hurdle and King George VI Chase his most high-profile successes.

Peter and Tom Scudamore
Peter and Tom Scudamore (Mike Egerton/PA)

The rider hails from a racing dynasty, with his father Peter an eight-times champion jockey over jumps, while his grandfather Michael rode Oxo to victory in the 1959 Grand National. His brother, Michael, is also a successful trainer.

Scudamore rode his first winner in 1998 and recorded his best seasonal tally in the 2014-15 campaign when he partnered 150 winners.

He also enjoyed a long association with the David Pipe yard, following in the footsteps of his father who was stable jockey for Pipe’s father, Martin.