Tom Scudamore
Encyclopedia
Tom Scudamore is a third-generation British flat
and steeplechase
jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore
; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National
on Oxo in 1959.
, which is deep in the heart of British jump racing. He has been riding since the age of two. Scudamore was educated at Cheltenham College Junior School, and then Cheltenham College
. Although Tom began riding as a jockey whilst still at Cheltenham College, there was always an educational back-up; he obtained two A-levels while maintaining a busy training schedule.
in November of the same year. He was British amateur champion jockey in 2001 (riding his first Grand National that year as an amateur, on Northern Starlight). Scudamore turned professional in October 2001, winning his first professional race at Chepstow Racecourse
on Belle d'Anjou that month. Notable wins are 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 aboard Madison Du Berlais. His best season was 2006–2007, when he amassed 50 wins. Riding first for trainer Martin Pipe
, since March 2007 Scudamore has been stable jockey for David Pipe
(Martin's son) in Wellington, Somerset
.
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
and steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...
; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
on Oxo in 1959.
Background
Scudamore grew up in the tiny village of Condicote, GloucestershireGloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, which is deep in the heart of British jump racing. He has been riding since the age of two. Scudamore was educated at Cheltenham College Junior School, and then Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school, located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.One of the public schools of the Victorian period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.The 1893 book Great...
. Although Tom began riding as a jockey whilst still at Cheltenham College, there was always an educational back-up; he obtained two A-levels while maintaining a busy training schedule.
Career
At 5'8" tall and 9 stone 12 lbs. (138 lbs.), Scudamore's first flat win was on Nordic Breeze at Warwick in July 1998; his first steeplechase win was aboard Young Thruster at Newton Abbot RacecourseNewton Abbot Racecourse
Newton Abbot Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located on the north bank of the River Teign in the parishes of Kingsteignton and Teigngrace just north of Newton Abbot Devon, England. The course is a tight flat left-handed oval of about 1m1f...
in November of the same year. He was British amateur champion jockey in 2001 (riding his first Grand National that year as an amateur, on Northern Starlight). Scudamore turned professional in October 2001, winning his first professional race at Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located just outside the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, Wales, near the southern end of the Wye Valley which forms the border with England...
on Belle d'Anjou that month. Notable wins are the Ladbroke Hurdle on Desert Air, the Red Square Gold Cup aboard Heltornic, the Eider Chase
Eider Chase
The Eider Chase is National Hunt race in Great Britain. It is run at Newcastle Racecourse in February, over a distance of 4 miles and 1 furlong....
on Nil Desperandum and the VC Casino Gold Cup aboard Madison Du Berlais. His best season was 2006–2007, when he amassed 50 wins. Riding first for trainer Martin Pipe
Martin Pipe
Martin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....
, since March 2007 Scudamore has been stable jockey for David Pipe
David Pipe
David Ronald Pipe is a Welsh international footballer who plays professionally for Newport County, as a midfielder.-Career:...
(Martin's son) in Wellington, Somerset
Wellington, Somerset
Wellington is a small industrial town in rural Somerset, England, situated south west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district, near the border with Devon, which runs along the Blackdown Hills to the south of the town...
.