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Tom Scudamore is the son of Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jockey and grandson of Michael Scudamore, who won the Grand National back in 1959. With that kind of ancestry, there are high hopes for Tom to continue the legacy and one day become a winning Grand National jockey himself.
For more information on what other factors makes the runners and riders champions, read about key statistics in our guide, and check out current runners and odds.
Tom Scudamore: Career Profile
As a third-generation jockey, Scudamore grew up in a racing environment. He was only two years old when he started riding, and he became a jockey while studying at Cheltenham College.
In 1998, at the age of 16, Tom Scudamore won his first flat race on Nordic Breeze at Warwick. The same year, in November, he won his first steeplechase race at Newton Abbot Racecourse. In 2001, he was named British Champion Amateur Jockey, and Grand National punters where delighted when he made his debut on Northern Starlight, although it ended with him being unseated at the sixth. However, with a string of successful results under his belt as an amateur, Scudamore turned professional in October (2001). His first victory as a pro was on Belle d’Anjou at Chepstow Racecourse, in the same month.
Despite his background, Scudamore has had to work hard to get where he is now. In his first five years as a professional, he didn’t manage to ride more than 50 winners in a single season. Credit to his devotion to the sport, Scudamore kept plugging away and as first jockey for Martin Pipe (and stable jockey for Pipe’s son, David), his wins per season rate started to increase. In 2013/14, Tom Scudamore hit the magic 100 winners in a season mark and this was followed by 150 winners the season after, which is still his best performance to date.
The 2015/2016 season was full of ups and downs. A few bad falls saw him take some time out from racing. Although he did still manage to achieve the career milestone of riding 1000 winners during that year.
Scudamore’s Personal Profile
Tom Scudamore grew up in the small village of Naunton, Gloucestershire, which is right in the heart of UK horse racing.
He obtained his education at Cheltenham College Junior School, and after that, he graduated from Cheltenham College. Even though he started his jockey career very young, Tom didn’t quit his studies, and he left college with two A-levels.
When it comes to his private life, Tom is a father of two girls with Charlotte Stucley whom he married in 2005. The pair divorced in 2017 after 12 years of marriage.
Notable Victories
Tom Scudamore has enjoyed a fair amount of Cheltenham success through the years, as well as notching up several other notable victories. Some of his best are:
| Year | Race | Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Chandler Chase | Tamarinbleu |
| 2008 | Madison du Berlais | Hennessy Gold Cup |
| 2011 | The Feltham Novices’ Chase | Grands Crus |
| 2014 | Ryanair Chase | Dynaste |
| 2015 | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Moon Racer |
| 2015 | Ultima Handicap Chase | Un Temps Pour Tout |
| 2016 | King George Chase at Kempton | Thistlecrack |
When it comes to Scudamore’s horses, one of his best rides was the amazing Thistlecrack, trained by Colin Tizzard. Together they won four Group/Grade one races, including the Ryanair World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree, where he participated as a Grand National jockey.
Speaking of Tom Scudamore’s Grand National performances; he is yet to experience real success with his best outing coming back in 2007 onboard 80/1 shot Puntal when he finished eighth. At 37, Scudamore is now entering the twilight of his career, but Davy Russell proved that older jockeys can still become Grand National winners, so Tom will still fancy his chances if mounted on the right horse.
