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Tommy Shedden
Tommy Shedden
1902-1977
1902-1977
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although he rode as an amateur, it was not until Lewis Horace Shedden, popularly known as Tommy, turned professional that he enjoyed any success, with three wins in the 1920s.
Although he rode as an amateur, it was not until Lewis Horace Shedden, popularly known as Tommy, turned professional that he enjoyed any success, with three wins in the 1920s.
Born on January 25, 1902, one of his earliest rides was on Dromedary, pulled up in the Beaufort Hunt Cup Chase at that course’s annual fixture on April 5, 1921. His first ride as a professional was on Waterford Glass II, trained by his father, William Shedden, at Erdington, on the outskirts of Birmingham, finishing unplaced in the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham, on January 6, 1925. Two months later, that horse would go on to win a selling hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, ridden that day by Tommy’s brother, Alex.
Born on January 25, 1902, one of his earliest rides was on Dromedary, pulled up in the Beaufort Hunt Cup Chase at that course’s annual fixture on April 5, 1921. His first ride as a professional was on Waterford Glass II, trained by his father, William Shedden, at Erdington, on the outskirts of Birmingham, finishing unplaced in the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham, on January 6, 1925. Two months later, that horse would go on to win a selling hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, ridden that day by Tommy’s brother, Alex.
Tommy’s first victory was very much a family affair, as Page, owned by his mother and trained by his father, won the Appleton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on November 20, 1926, by five lengths.
Tommy’s first victory was very much a family affair, as Page, owned by his mother and trained by his father, won the Appleton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on November 20, 1926, by five lengths.
It was on another of his father’s horses that he had his second win when Lucky Sam beat Rushaway by two lengths in the Garnock Hurdle at Bogside on April 9, 1927. The horse had finished unplaced at the course the previous day, ridden on that occasion by a Mr Wall, and the stewards asked both owner and trainer about the improvement in performance, but were satisfied with the explanation.
It was on another of his father’s horses that he had his second win when Lucky Sam beat Rushaway by two lengths in the Garnock Hurdle at Bogside on April 9, 1927. The horse had finished unplaced at the course the previous day, ridden on that occasion by a Mr Wall, and the stewards asked both owner and trainer about the improvement in performance, but were satisfied with the explanation.
Tommy had no further success until the meeting at Hexham on October 17, 1928, when lining up in a match for the Acomb Selling Handicap Hurdle. His mount was Speckled Band, trained by Bobby Renton, to whom Tommy had recently become head lad. The six-year-old had few problems in beating Arzila, the mount of David Dick, winning by 12 lengths.
Tommy had no further success until the meeting at Hexham on October 17, 1928, when lining up in a match for the Acomb Selling Handicap Hurdle. His mount was Speckled Band, trained by Bobby Renton, to whom Tommy had recently become head lad. The six-year-old had few problems in beating Arzila, the mount of David Dick, winning by 12 lengths.
Tommy’s final ride was on Cinnamon Diamond, last of four runners in the Cummersdale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle’s Easter meeting on March 30, 1929.
Tommy’s final ride was on Cinnamon Diamond, last of four runners in the Cummersdale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle’s Easter meeting on March 30, 1929.
He went on to take out a trainer’s licence in the 1930s, and many of the winners he trained during the 1960s were ridden by his son David. He achieved his most important success in the 1969 Cesarewitch with 20-1 shot Floridian, ridden by Dennis McKay.
He went on to take out a trainer’s licence in the 1930s, and many of the winners he trained during the 1960s were ridden by his son David. He achieved his most important success in the 1969 Cesarewitch with 20-1 shot Floridian, ridden by Dennis McKay.
Tommy Shedden died in 1977, aged 75.
Tommy Shedden died in 1977, aged 75.
Tommy Shedden's first win came at Catterick
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