Scudamore reaches 1000 winner mark

Tom Scudamore reached 1,000 winners under Rules with victory on Impulsive American in the racinguk.com/anywhere Maiden Hurdle at Musselburgh.

He enjoyed a smooth success on the David Pipe-trained four-year-old, on what was his only ride of the day.

Coming with a strong challenge from two out, Impulsive American (evens favourite) took the lead after jumping the last and went on to score by eight lengths from Some Are Lucky.

It was Scudamore's 990th win over jumps with his four-figure tally made up of successes on the Flat.

He follows in the footsteps as such icons of jump racing in Sir Tony McCoy, Richard Johnson, Richard Dunwoody, John Francome and Stan Mellor.

He also makes history by being the first to emulate his father, Peter Scudamore, who was champion jockey eight times and with a career total of 1,678. Both have been based Pond House Stables, Peter riding for Martin Pipe and Tom for his son, David.

"I was told a few weeks ago when I was at Pond House that I was getting very close to 1,000 winners and from then on I've been aware of it," Tom Scudamore told Racing UK. "It's something that's very special.

"When you set off on our career the first thing you want to do is to ride one winner and go from there. The names of those who have ridden 1,000 winners is just phenomenal.

"I've been very fortunate with the people I've ridden for. The one biggest highlight would be winning on Next Sensation at the Cheltenham Festival for my brother, Michael (trainer).

"I think whatever I achieve in the future will never match that. To ride a winner for my brother there owned by some very close family friends - it means an awful lot.

"Every winner has meant something in some way, but that meant a bit more."

Scudamore senior said: "How lucky we've been to have Martin Pipe behind us.

"When you look at jockeys like Stan Mellor and John Francome, who have ridden 1,000 winners, it's a very special club.

"To be champion jockey is fantastic, but to join the 1,000 winners club, which Andrew Thornton is trying to do now, is a mark of having done something."