Thomas Scudamore

Tom’s father and grandfather were highly successful in the saddle and won many races during their careers, so it’s no surprise that Tom is attempting to follow in their footsteps. His grandfather, Michael rode Linwell to win the 1957 Gold Cup and also rode Oxo to win in the 1959 Grand National. His famous father, Peter, affectionately know in racing circles as 'Scu', rode a total of 1,677 winners, which has been bettered only by Richard Dunwoody and A P McCoy. 'Scu' also won the jockey's title on eight occasions - a record that has only been broken by A P McCoy. Included in his many wins were two champion hurdles aboard Celtic Shot in 1988 and Granville Again in 1993.

Tom began riding before he could even walk, but with a name like Scudamore you would not expect anything less. As soon as Tom was old enough he obtained his amateur licence and began riding in Point to Points. His mum, Marilyn, trained a few for him to ride but he was soon in demand from other trainers, striking up a successful partnership with Pipe Junior, which bore many winners for the young duo.

Although Tom was extremely keen to ride he did continue his studies after his GCSE's, he studied for two A-Levels in Business Studies and English at Cheltenham College.

In July 2000 Tom joined the team at Pond House and rode as amateur jockey under rules while he also continued to compete in Point to Points. During the 2000/01 season he was successful in winning the 'Bollinger' Series Amateur Flat championship as well as the Amateur Jumps Championship. At the beginning of October 2001 Tom decided it was time to step up a gear in his career and made the decision that it was time for him to turn conditional. After only two rides Tom kicked in his first winner in the professional ranks aboard Belle d'Anjou in the Free Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow.

Tom is now well established as one of the countries top jockeys and since he rode his first winner on Nordic Breeze at Warwick in June 1998 he has ridden many more. He had his first ride in the Grand National in 2001 on Northern Starlight, former winner over the big fences. His burgeoning C.V. contains wins in the Weatherbys Long Distance Hurdle on Maid Equal at Ascot, the Barton and Guestier Hurdle at Aintree on Carlovent, the Ladbroke Hurdle on Desert Air, the Gr3 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup Chase on Heltonic, the Totesport.com Eider A Chase on Nil Desperandum and the VcCasino.com Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on Madison du Berlais.

In 2007 Tom was appointed stable jockey to David Pipe’s Pond House string, a move which mirrored their close association during the point-to-point training days. It will no doubt prove to be a very successful association. When Tom isn’t riding for David he still rides for a variety of other trainers including his grandfather, Michael.

Tom has a younger brother, Michael, who used to play rugby. He then decided to join the family tradition and rode point-to-pointers. However he struggled with his weight and is now helping his grandfather, Michael Snr, train and is participating in the British Racing School’s Trainer Course.

In the summer of 2005 Tom married Charlotte at her family home, Hartland Abbey in North Devon and in 2006 their beautiful baby daughter, Margo, was born. In Tom's little spare time he enjoys playing squash and walking their two spaniels when he is not busy travelling around the country riding more winners.
 

Tom Scu’s Stats