Tom Scudamore
Tom Scudamore
Tom Scudamore
Tom Scudamore was among the most prolific jump jockey of all time, with 1,499 wins over jumps in Britain and Ireland and 12 on the Flat during a 25-year career in the saddle. He rode 13 Grade 1 winners and enjoyed ten Cheltenham Festivals victories.
Tom Scudamore was among the most prolific jump jockey of all time, with 1,499 wins over jumps in Britain and Ireland and 12 on the Flat during a 25-year career in the saddle. He rode 13 Grade 1 winners and enjoyed ten Cheltenham Festivals victories.
Thomas George Scudamore was born on 22 May 1982, the son of eight-time champion jump jockey Peter Scudamore. His grandfather, Michael Scudamore, won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo before his career was ended by injury. He subsequently became a successful trainer.
Thomas George Scudamore was born on 22 May 1982, the son of eight-time champion jump jockey Peter Scudamore. His grandfather, Michael Scudamore, won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo before his career was ended by injury. He subsequently became a successful trainer.
Tom served his apprenticeship as an amateur rider and conditional jockey with Martin Pipe. He rode his first winner on the Pipe-trained Nordic Breeze in an amateur riders’ Flat race at Warwick on 3 July 1998. Nordic Breeze finished second but was subsequently awarded the race, with the winner, Broughtons Lure, being disqualified when his rider, Angel Jacobs, was discovered to have been a professional jockey in America.
Tom served his apprenticeship as an amateur rider and conditional jockey with Martin Pipe. He rode his first winner on the Pipe-trained Nordic Breeze in an amateur riders’ Flat race at Warwick on 3 July 1998. Nordic Breeze finished second but was subsequently awarded the race, with the winner, Broughtons Lure, being disqualified when his rider, Angel Jacobs, was discovered to have been a professional jockey in America.
His first winner over jumps came on Young Thruster in the Rogers of Plymouth Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newton Abbot on 4 November 1998. He was crowned champion amateur rider for the 2000/01 season.
His first winner over jumps came on Young Thruster in the Rogers of Plymouth Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newton Abbot on 4 November 1998. He was crowned champion amateur rider for the 2000/01 season.
Tom rode as stable jockey to Martin Pipe and, when Pipe retired at the end of the 2005/06 season and handed over the trainer’s licence to his son David, it provided a unique continuation of family links because Tom’s father Peter had for many seasons been stable jockey for Martin Pipe.
Tom rode as stable jockey to Martin Pipe and, when Pipe retired at the end of the 2005/06 season and handed over the trainer’s licence to his son David, it provided a unique continuation of family links because Tom’s father Peter had for many seasons been stable jockey for Martin Pipe.
The new Pipe-Scudamore combination achieved a breakthrough Grade 1 success with Lough Derg in the 2007 Long Walk Hurdle. Tom rode Lough Derg in no less than 45 races during the horse’s lengthy career, their successes including back-to-back renewals of Footwell’s National Spirit Hurdle in 2008/09. Madison Du Berlais landed the Hennessy Gold Cup for them in 2008, going on to add the Grade 2 Levy Board Chase at Kempton and Aintree’s Grade 2 Totesport Bowl Chase later the same season.
The new Pipe-Scudamore combination achieved a breakthrough Grade 1 success with Lough Derg in the 2007 Long Walk Hurdle. Tom rode Lough Derg in no less than 45 races during the horse’s lengthy career, their successes including back-to-back renewals of Footwell’s National Spirit Hurdle in 2008/09. Madison Du Berlais landed the Hennessy Gold Cup for them in 2008, going on to add the Grade 2 Levy Board Chase at Kempton and Aintree’s Grade 2 Totesport Bowl Chase later the same season.
They had three winners at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival with Dynaste in the Ryanair Chase, Western Warhorse in the Arkle Chase, and Ballynagour in the Byrne Group Plate. In 2015 Ballynagour gave Tom his sole success in France when winning the Grade 2 Prix la Barka Hurdle in 2015.
They had three winners at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival with Dynaste in the Ryanair Chase, Western Warhorse in the Arkle Chase, and Ballynagour in the Byrne Group Plate. In 2015 Ballynagour gave Tom his sole success in France when winning the Grade 2 Prix la Barka Hurdle in 2015.
Numerically he enjoyed his best season in 2014/15 with 150 winners, placing him third in the jockeys’ championship. His successes that season included two at the Cheltenham Festival: the Champion Bumper on Moon Racer and the Grand Annual Chase on Next Sensation, the latter trained by his brother Michael. The brothers’ Grand Annual triumph was a great source of pride to their father.
Numerically he enjoyed his best season in 2014/15 with 150 winners, placing him third in the jockeys’ championship. His successes that season included two at the Cheltenham Festival: the Champion Bumper on Moon Racer and the Grand Annual Chase on Next Sensation, the latter trained by his brother Michael. The brothers’ Grand Annual triumph was a great source of pride to their father.
The last two of Tom’s ten Festival wins came in 2016 and 2017 with Un Temps Pour Tout, who gained back-to-back victories in the Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase. He won the 2016 Becher Chase on Vieux Lion Rouge and also finished sixth om him in the 2017 Grand National, his highest placing in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
The last two of Tom’s ten Festival wins came in 2016 and 2017 with Un Temps Pour Tout, who gained back-to-back victories in the Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase. He won the 2016 Becher Chase on Vieux Lion Rouge and also finished sixth om him in the 2017 Grand National, his highest placing in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
The best horse he rode was the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, on whom he won ten races including five Grade 1s, comprising Aintree’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle, both in 2015, and, in 2016, the Ryanair World (now Stayers’) Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree. Graduating to fences the following season, Thistlecrack gave Tom his greatest success when winning the 2016 King George VI Chase.
The best horse he rode was the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, on whom he won ten races including five Grade 1s, comprising Aintree’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle, both in 2015, and, in 2016, the Ryanair World (now Stayers’) Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree. Graduating to fences the following season, Thistlecrack gave Tom his greatest success when winning the 2016 King George VI Chase.
He won two more Hennessy Gold Cups, by then rebranded the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, on Sizing Tennessee in 2018 and Cloth Cap in 2020. There was another memorable family success in 2021 when Tom won the Scottish Grand National on Mighty Thunder, trained by his stepmother Lucinda Russell and her partner Peter Scudamore.
He won two more Hennessy Gold Cups, by then rebranded the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, on Sizing Tennessee in 2018 and Cloth Cap in 2020. There was another memorable family success in 2021 when Tom won the Scottish Grand National on Mighty Thunder, trained by his stepmother Lucinda Russell and her partner Peter Scudamore.
His final Grade 1 success came in the 2021 Finale Juvenile Hurdle on the ill-fated Adagio. He had his last high-profile victory on Rock My Way for Sherborne Syd Hosie in the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on Trials Day at Cheltenham on 28 January 2023.
His final Grade 1 success came in the 2021 Finale Juvenile Hurdle on the ill-fated Adagio. He had his last high-profile victory on Rock My Way for Sherborne Syd Hosie in the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on Trials Day at Cheltenham on 28 January 2023.
He recorded what proved to be the final success of his long and distinguished career on 15-8 favourite Pachacuti, appropriately trained by David Pipe, in a Fakenham handicap hurdle on 2 February 2023.
He recorded what proved to be the final success of his long and distinguished career on 15-8 favourite Pachacuti, appropriately trained by David Pipe, in a Fakenham handicap hurdle on 2 February 2023.
Tom announced his retirement with immediate effect after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff, trained by Pipe, in the Constant Security Services Novices’ Handicap Chase at Leicester on 16 February 2023. The incident came two weeks after suffering from a concussion in another fall at Chepstow.
Tom announced his retirement with immediate effect after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff, trained by Pipe, in the Constant Security Services Novices’ Handicap Chase at Leicester on 16 February 2023. The incident came two weeks after suffering from a concussion in another fall at Chepstow.
Reflecting on his career the following day, he said: “I’m going to be 41 in May and after getting that concussion a couple of weeks ago, I now don’t bounce like I did. It was always important to me that I got to make the decision and I’ve been very fortunate that it was in my own hands. I had another fall yesterday and while I’d love to still bounce back like I was 20, that’s not the way it is.
Reflecting on his career the following day, he said: “I’m going to be 41 in May and after getting that concussion a couple of weeks ago, I now don’t bounce like I did. It was always important to me that I got to make the decision and I’ve been very fortunate that it was in my own hands. I had another fall yesterday and while I’d love to still bounce back like I was 20, that’s not the way it is.
“Very few people get to go out on their own terms, whether it’s through injury or getting the sack, so I’ve been very fortunate. My grandfather had to retire through a bad fall, so it was always clear to me that you wouldn’t always get the choice of where and when you stop riding. It was always drummed into us that you’ll know when the moment is and once you’ve made that decision it’s settled. For me, that time came yesterday.”
“Very few people get to go out on their own terms, whether it’s through injury or getting the sack, so I’ve been very fortunate. My grandfather had to retire through a bad fall, so it was always clear to me that you wouldn’t always get the choice of where and when you stop riding. It was always drummed into us that you’ll know when the moment is and once you’ve made that decision it’s settled. For me, that time came yesterday.”
Tom ended his career with a total of 1,512 wins including one in France and 12 on the Flat. He rode more than 700 winners for David Pipe and also rode 80 winners for Pipe’s father Martin.
Tom ended his career with a total of 1,512 wins including one in France and 12 on the Flat. He rode more than 700 winners for David Pipe and also rode 80 winners for Pipe’s father Martin.
He added: “I’ve had so many big successes and I’ve been very thankful for all that people have done for me. I rode for the same people when I was claiming 7lb as I did when I retired – that’s what I’m most proud of. People have trusted me and I just hope I’ve done them proud and never let them down.
He added: “I’ve had so many big successes and I’ve been very thankful for all that people have done for me. I rode for the same people when I was claiming 7lb as I did when I retired – that’s what I’m most proud of. People have trusted me and I just hope I’ve done them proud and never let them down.
“I rode a festival winner for my brother, I rode a Scottish National winner for my stepmother, and I rode the best part of 1,000 winners for my best mate. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“I rode a festival winner for my brother, I rode a Scottish National winner for my stepmother, and I rode the best part of 1,000 winners for my best mate. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Make that 1,513 wins, including 13 on the Flat. On 17 September 2023, Tom made a triumphant one-off return to race-riding in the Leger Legends Stakes at Doncaster, riding the 100-30 favourite I Still Have Faith to a comfortable 2¼-length victory for rookie trainer Ben Brookhouse. There could not have been a more appropriate ending to a career, because Tom had ridden many winners for Ben’s father, Roger Brookhouse, and it was his well-known blue and white silks that Tom wore when riding I Still Have Faith to that final success.
Make that 1,513 wins, including 13 on the Flat. On 17 September 2023, Tom made a triumphant one-off return to race-riding in the Leger Legends Stakes at Doncaster, riding the 100-30 favourite I Still Have Faith to a comfortable 2¼-length victory for rookie trainer Ben Brookhouse. There could not have been a more appropriate ending to a career, because Tom had ridden many winners for Ben’s father, Roger Brookhouse, and it was his well-known blue and white silks that Tom wore when riding I Still Have Faith to that final success.
Major wins included:
Major wins included:
2001: Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle – Maid Equal
2001: Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle – Maid Equal
2007: Long Walk Hurdle – Lough Derg
2007: Long Walk Hurdle – Lough Derg
2008: National Spirit Hurdle – Lough Derg
2008: National Spirit Hurdle – Lough Derg
2008: William Hill (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – An Accordion
2008: William Hill (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – An Accordion
2008: Hennessy Gold Cup – Madison Du Berlais
2008: Hennessy Gold Cup – Madison Du Berlais
2009: National Spirit Hurdle – Lough Derg
2009: National Spirit Hurdle – Lough Derg
2009: Levy Board Chase (Kempton) – Madison Du Berlais
2009: Levy Board Chase (Kempton) – Madison Du Berlais
2009: Totesport Bowl Chase – Madison Du Berlais
2009: Totesport Bowl Chase – Madison Du Berlais
2010: Celebration Chase – I’m So Lucky
2010: Celebration Chase – I’m So Lucky
2011: Cleeve Hurdle – Grand Crus
2011: Cleeve Hurdle – Grand Crus
2011: Feltham Novices’ Chase – Grand Crus
2011: Feltham Novices’ Chase – Grand Crus
2012: Byrne Group Plate – Salut Flo
2012: Byrne Group Plate – Salut Flo
2012: Midlands Grand National – Master Overseer
2012: Midlands Grand National – Master Overseer
2012: Feltham Novices’ Chase – Dynaste
2012: Feltham Novices’ Chase – Dynaste
2013: Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Dynaste
2013: Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Dynaste
2014: Cotswold Chase – The Giant Bolster
2014: Cotswold Chase – The Giant Bolster
2014: Imperial Cup – Baltimore Rock
2014: Imperial Cup – Baltimore Rock
2014: Arkle Chase – Western Warhorse
2014: Arkle Chase – Western Warhorse
2014: Ryanair Chase – Dynaste
2014: Ryanair Chase – Dynaste
2014: Byrne Group Plate – Ballynagour
2014: Byrne Group Plate – Ballynagour
2015: Champion Bumper – Moon Racer
2015: Champion Bumper – Moon Racer
2015: Grand Annual Chase – Next Sensation
2015: Grand Annual Chase – Next Sensation
2015: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2015: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2015: Prix la Barka – Ballynagour
2015: Prix la Barka – Ballynagour
2015: Newbury Long-Distance Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2015: Newbury Long-Distance Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2015: Long Walk Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2015: Long Walk Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Cleeve Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Cleeve Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – Un Temps Pour Tout
2016: Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – Un Temps Pour Tout
2016: Ryanair World (Stayers’) Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Ryanair World (Stayers’) Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle – Thistlecrack
2016: Becher Chase – Vieux Lion Rouge
2016: Becher Chase – Vieux Lion Rouge
2016: King George VI Chase – Thistlecrack
2016: King George VI Chase – Thistlecrack
2017: Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – Un Temps Pour Tout
2017: Ultima (National Hunt) Handicap Chase – Un Temps Pour Tout
2018: Ladbrokes Trophy Chase – Sizing Tennessee
2018: Ladbrokes Trophy Chase – Sizing Tennessee
2020: Ladbrokes Trophy Chase – Cloth Cap
2020: Ladbrokes Trophy Chase – Cloth Cap
2021: Scottish Grand National – Mighty Thunder
2021: Scottish Grand National – Mighty Thunder
2021: Finale Juvenile Hurdle – Adagio
2021: Finale Juvenile Hurdle – Adagio