After riding over 1,500 winners in a 25-year career, Tom Scudamore retired on Friday, the 40-year-old announced.
He bows out with 10 Cheltenham Festival winners under his belt, highlighted by Thistlecrack (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB})'s World Hurdle victory in 2016.
Scudamore took his last ride at Leicester on Thursday and after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff (Ire) (Jet Away {GB}), he decided the time was right to exit the stage.
He said, “I've had a fantastic time and all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately my time has come. Time waits for no man and I don't see it as retirement, just a job change.
“I'm going to take stock, but I've got options to work in the media, I'm going to continue being an ambassador in my relationship with Coral and I'd like to stay involved in some way, shape or form.
“I've built a lot of good relationships in racing and I'd like to use those to best effect. I've got lots of options and lots of things in the pipeline, I've got plenty to look forward to.”
The rider hails from a racing dynasty, with his father Peter an eight-times champion jockey over jumps, while his grandfather Michael rode Oxo (GB) to victory in the 1959 Grand National. His brother, Michael, is also a successful trainer.
Asked if he might consider joining his brother in a training career, Scudamore said, “That is an option. Michael is doing a fantastic job on his own, whether that's with Michael or with David, I will always be there and helping out in some way. Whether that is with owners or schooling or buying horses for them, I will be involved everywhere. I will just let the dust settle and see where we are. I want to stay involved somehow.”
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