Tom Scudamore, the ninth most successful National Hunt jockey in history, retires aged 40
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Scudamore’s riding dynasty ends as Tom, the ninth most successful National Hunt jockey in history, retires from the saddle… at 40 years old calling time on a 25-year career amid concerns from a concussion
- Jockey Tom Scudamore rode 1,511 winners during a successful 25-year career.
- His biggest win was on Thistlecrack at the 2016 King George at Kempton.
- He made his decision after being ousted in Leicester on Thursday
Tom Scudamore, one of the most successful jumping jockeys of all time, has retired effective immediately, ending one of the greatest riding dynasties in racing.
Scudamore broke the news to trainer David Pipe, for whom he has been a stable jockey since 2007.
The 40-year-old made his decision after being ousted from Ya Know Taseff at Leicester on Thursday.
In a career that spanned a quarter of a century, Scudamore rode 1,511 winners, a tally that ranks him ninth on the list of all-time show jumping jockeys.
His decision, prompted by a series of concussions caused by falls, ends the presence of the Scudamore name in the Weigh Room.
Jockey Tom Scudamore rode 1,511 winners during a successful 25-year career.
Tom’s father Peter, the eight-time champion jockey, rode 1,692 winners, while his late grandfather Michael won the 1959 Grand National at Oxo and the 1957 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Linwell.
Tom said: ‘I had a concussion 10 days ago and have had a concussion several times in the past. At my age you have to be careful. I feel like I’ve had a bit of warning and the falls I could take in the past are harder to take now.
“There was no concussion after my knockdown at Leicester, but I did get a right kick and I thought I had my warning already.” Not everyone can date on their own terms, but I can. I won’t retire, I’ll just change jobs, although I don’t know what that job will be yet!’
Scudamore’s biggest win came on Thistlecrack in the 2016 King George VI Chase at Kempton
Scudamore with father Peter, the eight-time champion jockey, who rode 1,692 game winners
Scudamore’s biggest win came on Thistlecrack in the 2016 King George VI Chase at Kempton. His 10 wins at Cheltenham include the 2014 Ryanair Chase with Dynaste.
There was also an emotional 2015 Festival win in the Grand Annual Chase on Next Generation, who was trained by his brother Michael.
Reflecting on his career, Tom said: ‘There is no winner that has given me more satisfaction. I feel blessed to have ridden the number of winners I did. I rode 150 game winners the season AP McCoy retired. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but not many have and two of them are Scudamores! There are two Scudamores in the top 10 show jumping jockeys of all time.
‘They are two of the things I am most proud of. When the time comes, I can look my father and grandfather in the eye, shake hands, and we’ll be equals.