Tom Dascombe
Photo courtesy Mary Pitt
Photo courtesy Mary Pitt
Tom Dascombe had just one stab at winning the National: it came in 1998 when Martin Pipe phoned offering Tom the ride on Pond House.
Tom Dascombe had just one stab at winning the National: it came in 1998 when Martin Pipe phoned offering Tom the ride on Pond House.
In truth, Martin had actually offered the ride to another jockey before realizing that the lad hadn't ridden the required fifteen winners, so Tom was drafted in.
In truth, Martin had actually offered the ride to another jockey before realizing that the lad hadn't ridden the required fifteen winners, so Tom was drafted in.
Not that it would have made any difference who rode it.
Not that it would have made any difference who rode it.
Pond House was a natural front runner, best over two miles on firm ground. The going on Grand National Day came up desperately heavy.
Pond House was a natural front runner, best over two miles on firm ground. The going on Grand National Day came up desperately heavy.
The murmurings of other jockeys reached him as he sat in the sauna three hours before the race.
The murmurings of other jockeys reached him as he sat in the sauna three hours before the race.
Many told him to keep Pond House away from what they were riding, not wanting to be brought down. Others said 'God - I wouldn't like to be riding that.'
Many told him to keep Pond House away from what they were riding, not wanting to be brought down. Others said 'God - I wouldn't like to be riding that.'
Not exactly buoyed up with confidence, Tom made his way to the start.
Not exactly buoyed up with confidence, Tom made his way to the start.
Yet Pond House ran a great race, taking each fence as it came. Then, after a circuit, it was all over. Tom felt the horse go lame and pulled up immediately.
Yet Pond House ran a great race, taking each fence as it came. Then, after a circuit, it was all over. Tom felt the horse go lame and pulled up immediately.
Bristol-born Tom, the son of an accountant, had spent much of his childhood riding. He'd competed in dressage, eventing & showjumping and had ridden pony club.
Bristol-born Tom, the son of an accountant, had spent much of his childhood riding. He'd competed in dressage, eventing & showjumping and had ridden pony club.
He went to Martin Pipe as soon as he could because, correctly, he considered him to be the best.
He went to Martin Pipe as soon as he could because, correctly, he considered him to be the best.
Unfortunately, in a three-year period as a conditional jockey for Pipe, he rode just eight winners, and left the yard to join Ron Hodges' Somerset Stable for whom he rode out his claim (with over forty winners) in the next three years.
Unfortunately, in a three-year period as a conditional jockey for Pipe, he rode just eight winners, and left the yard to join Ron Hodges' Somerset Stable for whom he rode out his claim (with over forty winners) in the next three years.
Tom, eventually having ridden 95 winners, finally decided to call it a day in October, 2001. He'd just finished last on Sex Bomb at Fontwell and knew it was time to move on.
Tom, eventually having ridden 95 winners, finally decided to call it a day in October, 2001. He'd just finished last on Sex Bomb at Fontwell and knew it was time to move on.
Tom decided to widen his experience in America.
Tom decided to widen his experience in America.
Kentucky was his first port of call: he worked for a bloodstock agency in Louisville. After that, he went to Florida to break in yearlings for what are known as breeze up sales.
Kentucky was his first port of call: he worked for a bloodstock agency in Louisville. After that, he went to Florida to break in yearlings for what are known as breeze up sales.
Then, in 2002, it was back to England where he became assistant trainer to his great friend, Ralph Beckett.
Then, in 2002, it was back to England where he became assistant trainer to his great friend, Ralph Beckett.
Tom then had a stint in Dubai, joining the South African trainer Mike de Kock. He stayed until 2003 then , back in England, became assistant trainer to John Jenkins.
Tom then had a stint in Dubai, joining the South African trainer Mike de Kock. He stayed until 2003 then , back in England, became assistant trainer to John Jenkins.
Now Tom was truly ready to go it alone as a trainer. Fortune smiles on the brave, as they say: it certainly did for Tom.
Now Tom was truly ready to go it alone as a trainer. Fortune smiles on the brave, as they say: it certainly did for Tom.
Ex-Liverpool footballer Michael Owen asked Tom to train his horses at his purpose built Manor House Stables in Malpas, Cheshire (November 2009).
Ex-Liverpool footballer Michael Owen asked Tom to train his horses at his purpose built Manor House Stables in Malpas, Cheshire (November 2009).
Tom responded by sending out Mondovi, jointly owned by footballers Craig Bellamy & Kieron Dwyer, to win a first race for the stable at Wolverhampton.
Tom responded by sending out Mondovi, jointly owned by footballers Craig Bellamy & Kieron Dwyer, to win a first race for the stable at Wolverhampton.
Since then, Tom has gone from strength to strength.
Since then, Tom has gone from strength to strength.
He sent out three Royal Ascot winners - Rhythm Of Light & Brown Panther in 2011, then Ceiling Kitty (Queen Mary, 2012) - and stands now on the threshold of an exciting second career.
He sent out three Royal Ascot winners - Rhythm Of Light & Brown Panther in 2011, then Ceiling Kitty (Queen Mary, 2012) - and stands now on the threshold of an exciting second career.