subject: 9th Time Lucky For Tom Scudamore In 2010? [print this page] Every year the focus and media attention is put squarely on the shoulders of Tony McCoy in a 'Will he, won't he' debate as to whether he can finally win a Grand National after 14 attempts but back in the shadows stands Tom Scudamore, an equally prolific jockey who will be riding in the 2010 Grand National for the ninth time, without a win under his belt.
He made his debut in the Grand National in 2001, at just 18 years of age, riding Northern Starlight where he was unseated at the sixth fence. He was also the youngest jockey to be entered that year so maybe experience let him down on that occasion.
But if family history were anything to go by then eventually he should be able to do the seemingly impossible and win a Grand National. He is the third generation of Scudamores to ride in the race with both his father and grand father having previously ridden in the race as well. His grandfather Michael Scudamore was incredibly successful when he won both the 1957 Gold Cup on Linwell and two years later took Oxo past the winning post of the 1959 Grand National.
Tom's father, Peter Scudamore, was an exceptionally successful jockey riding 1,677 winners during his career, a statistic that has only ever been bettered by Richard Dunwoody and A P McCoy. Unfortunately though, he never won a Grand National.
With such a rich family background in horse racing, it is easy to understand how Tom Scudamore managed to get into the sport. He was coached by his father from an early age and by the young age of 17 was already riding winners in the 1999-2000 season. As an amateur he rode 52 winners and subsequently turned professional when he was 20.
He initially associated himself with the Martin Pipes stables, but because of his father's connections, also maintained close links with the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard, who he still rides for even now.
He entered the Grand National for the second time in 2002 on Smarty, and again was the youngest rider in the race, but again victory was not to be his when his horse pulled up at the 9th. Not to be defeated, he returned in 2003 National on Blowing Wind, for Martin Pipe, where he finished in 8th place, which is his joint-best placing so far in the race.
In 2004 he went with Nigel Twiston-Davies on Shardam but didn't get passed the third fence. In 2005 he was back to Martin pipe on Iznogoud at huge outside odds of 125-1 but still managed a reasonably respectable 12th place. He clearly saw some potential in Iznogoud and agreed to ride him again in 2006, once again with ridiculous odds of 200-1.
In March 2007 Tom was made number one jockey to David Pipe, and rode Puntal for him and again in 2008 on Madison Du Berlais.
Tom is recognised as one of the top jockeys in the country who has had 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 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup Chase on Heltonic, the Eider Chase on Nil Desperandum and the VC Casino Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on Madison du Berlais.
Last year, he went back to the Twiston-Davies stables when he rode Battlecry for them so who he chooses to go with for the 2010 Grand National is still up in the air but like Tony McCoy, you can't rule him out as a winner so look closely at the horse he picks because he just might get it on his ninth time out.
