The Scudamores: One of Racing’s Finest Families
From Tom to Michael, the Scudamores are one of horse racing’s most successful families and they are also universally liked in the equine community.
Michael Scudamore won the Grand National on Oxo back in 1959 and that was the start of a very successful six decades for the Scudamore family; and unprecedented levels of success could follow if Tom fulfils his destiny in the coming years.
Michael came up trumps in that famous National victory at the end of the 1950s but he also romped home on Linwell in the 1957 Cheltenham Gold Cup; earning him a victory in one of the most prestigious races in the business.
In 1966, he was forced to retire after suffering serious injuries whilst riding Snakestone at Wolverhampton. His career as a jockey was over but Michael Scudamore Racing was born and he enhanced his legacy as a trainer before his death in 2014.
Meanwhile, son Peter has done incredible things – both as a jockey and trainer. The eight-time Champion Jockey was rightfully awarded an MBE for his services to the sport after riding over 1,500 winners in his illustrious career; an incredible feat to say the least.
He will go down in history as one of the best jockeys of all-time and his long list of wins in major races will stand him in good stead when people look back on his career in years to come. He might not get the same recognition as the likes of AP McCoy but Peter Scudamore opened the door for the dominant jockeys of today.
Nowadays, Peter writes regularly for cheltenham-bet.co.uk and plenty of punters will be seeking advice in the build-up to the Grand National meeting. After all, who better to follow coverage surrounding the race from than a previous winner of the famous race?
And that brings us to today’s era and Tom; who flies the flag for the Scudamore family these days. Unfortunately, his chances of following in his grandad’s footsteps and securing a Gold Cup victory this year came to an end with Thistlecrack’s injury but he will be back to tackle the race in the future…
He will almost certainly get a ride in the Grand National and Scudamore, one of the most reliable and consistent jockeys in the game, will be quietly confident of getting round safely and he could even compete for the win. At Aintree, completing the race is the first task but Scudamore is better than most at averting danger.
According to father Peter, ONE FOR ARTHUR could get the nod for the National and plenty of punters will be siding with the Scudamore family if Tom is on board. It get the nod for the Nationalwould be nice for Peter and Tom to win the famous race 60 years after Michael’s impressive ride on Linwell at Cheltenham.
Nowadays, racing is a family business and the Scudamores deserve plenty of credit for the way that they have made the sport better. Should Tom and Peter join forces for a National victory next month, Michael will be smiling down fondly – as will all fans of the Scudamore monopoly.
