Student, 17, becomes fifth generation of famous jockey family to ride a winner

A teenage student has become the fifth generation of her famous family to ride a winner at the racetrack.

Margot Scudamore is the 17-year-old daughter of retired top jump jockey Tom Scudamore whose father is the former champion Peter Scudamore.

Peter’s father, Margot’s great grandfather, Michael won the 1959 Grand National on Oxo and his father was a distinguished amateur before him.

Unsurprisingly Margot’s ambition is to follow her forebears into racing and has been riding as an amateur when not at college. She got off the mark on only her eighth ride when she secured a victory by a nose on Liberated Lad in a Flat handicap at Nottingham on Saturday.

“It was great and no less than she deserves after all the hard work she does,” said Tom Scudamore.

“Realistically it was probably the first proper chance she has ridden and thankfully the result went her way.

“She has always wanted to be a jockey. She is very light and she would like to ride on the Flat. She is currently studying at college. She has another year of that but would like to make a career as a jockey.”

Tom Scudamore retired in February 2023 as the tenth most prolific jump jockey of all time, with 1,499 wins over jumps in Britain and Ireland and 12 on the Flat. He rode ten Cheltenham Festival winners.

His father Peter was champion over jumps eight times and is now a trainer with partner Lucinda Russell.

“The opportunities come with the name when you have the privilege to grow up around horses,” said Tom Scudamore.

“Margot has been on horseback since she was two or three. She works very hard and makes the most of it. Riding was something she always spoke about and now she is turning it to reality.

“I don’t think she’s ever going to ride over jumps. She is quite small. It’s always been her dream to be a Flat jockey.”