One of the most successful jump jockeys of all time, Tom Scudamore, has retired from the sport with immediate effect after a glittering 25-year career. With 1,511 winners to his name, Scudamore was a household name in horse racing circles and will be remembered as one of the finest jockeys of his generation.
Growing up in Naunton, Gloucestershire, Scudamore started riding at the tender age of two. He attended Cheltenham College Junior School and Cheltenham College, where he continued riding as a jockey while obtaining two A-levels. Scudamore’s first flat win was on Nordic Breeze at Warwick in July 1998, and his first steeplechase win was on Young Thruster at Newton Abbot Racecourse in November of the same year.
Scudamore won the British amateur champion jockey title in 2001 and rode in his first Grand National that year as an amateur on Northern Starlight. He turned professional in October 2001 and won his first professional race at Chepstow Racecourse on Belle d’Anjou. Scudamore’s notable wins include the Ladbroke Hurdle on Desert Air, the Red Square Gold Cup aboard Heltornic, the Eider Chase on Nil Desperandum, and the VC Casino Gold Cup on Madison Du Berlais. In 2013-2014, he amassed 100 wins, and in 2014-2015, he rode 150 winners.
Scudamore’s retirement marks the end of a legendary dynasty in horse racing. His father, Peter Scudamore, was an eight-time champion jockey and rode 1,692 winners in his career. Meanwhile, his late grandfather, Michael Scudamore, won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo and the 1957 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Linwell.
Tom’s biggest win came on Thistlecrack in the 2016 King George VI Chase at Kempton, and he had 10 Cheltenham victories to his name, including the 2014 Ryanair Chase on Dynaste. However, one of his most emotional wins was the 2015 Festival win in the Grand Annual Chase on Next Generation, who was trained by his brother Michael.
In an interview, Scudamore revealed that his decision to retire was prompted by a series of concussions caused by falls. He had a concussion ten days ago and had been concussed a few times in the past. However, with his age, he felt that he had to be careful, and falls that he could take in the past were harder to take now.
Despite this, Scudamore has no plans to retire altogether. He mentioned that he is just changing jobs, although he doesn’t know what that job will be yet. However, he believes that he has had his warning and that he wants to go out on his own terms.
On Thursday night, Scudamore broke the news to trainer David Pipe, for whom he has been stable jockey since 2007. The 40-year-old decided after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff at Leicester on Thursday.
Reflecting on his career, Scudamore said that he feels blessed to have ridden the number of winners that he did. He rode 150 winners in the season AP McCoy retired, and few have done that.
Some of his most notable achievements include:
Winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017 aboard the horse Native River
Winning the Grand National in 2015 aboard the horse Many Clouds
Winning the Champion Hurdle in 2008 aboard the horse Katchit
Winning King George VI Chase in 2016 aboard the horse Thistlecrack
Winning the Scottish Grand National in 2008 aboard the horse Hello Bud
Tom Scudamore has also been a leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival, the biggest National Hunt racing event. He has ridden over 60 winners at the festival and has been the top jockey on multiple occasions.
As one of the most successful jockeys of his generation, Scudamore’s impact on horse racing cannot be overstated. His achievements have cemented his place in the history books, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
Scudamore’s retirement may mark the end of a dynasty. Still, it is also a reminder of the incredible talent in the world of horse racing and the enduring passion and dedication of those who make it all possible.
