Peter Scudamore

Peter Scudamore MBE (born 29 June 1958), known universally as 'Scu',[1] is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey (including one title shared with John Francome), riding 1,678 winning horses in his career. He received an MBE for his services to the sport of horse racing.[1]

Early life

Scudamore was born in June 1958 to jockey Michael Scudamore and his wife Mary. Michael Scudamore won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo, when his son was still a baby. Scudamore remembers little about his father's career, except for the fall that ended it.[2] He has, however, spoken of his father's toughness as a jockey and of wanting to live up to him.[2]

Racing career

Scudamore's first competitive ride came in 1978, the start of a 15-year career which would see him break many jumps racing records. He benefited particularly from being stable jockey for the record breaking trainer Martin Pipe and the partnership was an extremely successful one throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

As well as setting the then all-time career record of 1,678 winners, he also set the record for most winners in a season (221) in 1988-89, surpassing Jonjo O'Neill's mark to become the first jockey to exceed 150 in one season. Although both records have since been surpassed, Scudamore's records were set before the advent of year-round National Hunt racing. In all, he was champion eight times.

He won 13 times at the Cheltenham Festival including two Champion Hurdles - Celtic Shot in 1988 and Granville Again in 1993 - and a Queen Mother Champion Chase on Pearlyman. Other major victories included the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (twice), Mackeson Gold Cup, four Welsh Nationals (including two on Bonanza Boy) and two Scottish Nationals. Horses with which he was associated during his racing career included Grand National winners Miinnehoma and Little Polveir although he himself won neither a National, nor a Cheltenham Gold Cup nor a King George.[2]

He retired on 7 April 1993 with a winning ride on Sweet Duke at Ascot,[3] his 1,678th winner.

Post-retirement

Immediately after retirement, Scudamore became assistant trainer to his business partner Nigel Twiston-Davies. He now lives with, and is assistant trainer to, successful Scottish jumps trainer, Lucinda Russell at Arlary House Stables near Milnathort.[4]

He has also pursued a career in media, featuring regularly as a pundit on BBC racing coverage and writing a racing column for the Daily Mail.

He is involved with his son Michael’s yard in Herefordshire[5] and his other son Tom Scudamore is also now a professional jockey.

Peter is second cousin to current Chief Executive of the F.A. Premier League, Richard Scudamore.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Puntinplay.com Profile, retrieved 23 Feb 2011
  2. 1 2 3 Dennis, Steve (23 February 2011), "Great Racing Dynasties: The Scudamores", The Racing Post, London, p. 15
  3. ↑ Hayward, Paul (8 April 1993), "Scudamore content with the end of his era", The Independent, London, retrieved 23 February 2011
  4. ↑ Delahunt, Jim (15 Nov 2009), "Life is Scudamore than good for former champion jump jockey Peter", The Herald, Glasgow, retrieved 23 Feb 2011
  5. ↑ "Puntinplay.com Profile". Retrieved 23 Feb 2011.
  6. ↑ Alan Hubbard (August 17, 2003). "INSIDE LINES: Richard Scudamore". Independent on Sunday. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
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