| Our Staff... |
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NAME: |
MICHAEL SCUDAMORE |
| PROFILE: |
Michael was born in February 1984, and was brought up in The Cotswolds. As youngsters, Michael and his older brother Tom were keen pony club riders and enjoyed show jumping and one day events. His father Peter was assistant trainer to Nigel Twiston- Davies, and it was here the family remained until moving to Eccleswall Court in 2003.
Previous to training racehorses, Michael was a keen rugby player. He played for Gloucester Academy and Wales U19 which included a Five Nations tournament with England, France, Ireland and Italy and a World cup in Paris. He was later a rugby professional for two seasons with Ebbw Vale and played for Gwent Dragons U21.
Over the years, Michael has worked/ ridden out for numerous trainers, including Nigel Twiston- Davies, Dennis Caro, James Fanshawe and Martin Pipe, where valuable experience has been gained along the way.
Training started at Eccleswall Court in 2005, when Michael’s grandfather, Michael senior, took out his licence once again. Michael worked with his father, assisting Michael senior with the training of the yard’s horses. During this time the yard had a few big wins including Heltornic at Wetherby and Haydock, and The Wicketkeeper winning a listed race at Ascot.
Michael took over the trainers licence from his grandfather in April 2008, following a season as an amateur jockey, winning 4 races. On 30th May he saddled his first winner; Directa’s Digger on the flat at Haydock. On 25th August he saddled his first national hunt winners at Huntingdon, a double, with Dark Energy and Fourpointone.
Currently in his 4th season of training, highlights to date include; Gloucester finishing 2nd in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and also at Cheltenham, Gunslinger winning the apprentice riders Derby at Epsom, and Saphir River being placed at Aintrees' Grand National meeting. |
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NAME: |
JJ FENN |
| ROLE: |
Stable Lass |
| STARTED: |
December '05 |
| PROFILE: |
JJ was born in Hereford and lived in Scotland between the age of 3 and 12. She moved back to Herefordshire when 12, and after school attended Holme Lacy College where she gained her NVQ level 2 in horse care. She has ridden and worked around horses for most of her life. She lives near Bromyard with her husband Lawrence.
JJ spent 12 months traveling and working in New Zealand with Lawrence, before joining the team at Eccleswall Court in December 2005. Lawrence’s family bred and own Raki Rose and Gunner Rose. Since working here she has completed her NVQ level 3 in racehorse care. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
JJ looks after Next Sensation, Gunner Rose, Riptide, Kayfton Pete, Da Ponte, Princesse Fleur, Bounds and Leaps, Monbeg Dude and Von Galen .
Favourite rides include Riptide, Kayfton Pete, Gunner Rose, Bounds and Leaps and Von Galen. JJ is photographed with Iztaccihuatl. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Kempley Green winning at Uttoxeter and Kempton.
Gunner Rose winning at Southwell in 2011 and 2012. |
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NAME: |
BECKY WATKINS |
| ROLE: |
WORK RIDER |
| STARTED: |
July 2008 |
| PROFILE: |
Becky, a first cousin of Michael's, has ridden out at Eccleswall Court for many seasons now, whilst previously fitting in/around her education, at Bristol UWE, and more recently her work at the well renowned and very smart hotel, The Castle House, in Hereford, which is owned by her Father, and Michael's Uncle; David Watkins. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Dark Energy (aka Dinky) and Gloucester. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Escorting her lovely Grandfather, Michael senior, to the races (especially Cheltenham), in her super smart and numerous styles of Karen Millen coats! |
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NAME: |
EMMA GOODINSON |
| ROLE: |
WORK RIDER |
| STARTED: |
July 2012 |
| PROFILE: |
Emma comes in every morning to ride out. She has experience from already having ridden in numerous point to points over the past two seasons. She grew up around ponies, hunting and as a member of the Clifton-Upon-Teme Pony Club, and laterly with the North Hereford Pony Club. She is currently also training 3 of her own pointers for the upcoming season. We wish her luck with that, as long as she doesn't beat too many of Maz's!!! |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
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| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
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NAME: |
MICHELLE HICKS |
| ROLE: |
Stable lass |
| STARTED: |
November 2010 |
| PROFILE: |
A local Gloucestershire girl. Her father is a small breeder and Michelle grew up around horses. She is a dedicated horsewoman and gets on well with the quirky ones! Not often seen racing, Michelle prefers to be back at the yard with the horses she looks after. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Dark Energy, Iztaccihuatl and Mr Goofy |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
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NAME: |
MORGAN PREECE |
| ROLE: |
STABLE LAD |
| STARTED: |
May 2012 |
| PROFILE: |
Morgan is our newest member of the Scudamore racing team, and has joined us in order to complete his NVQ's with the British Racing School. Aged 17, and having grown up in Wales, Morgan aims to ride in point to points this coming season. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Morgan looks after Euroquip Boy, Arumun, Lucas Pitt, Euroquip Rose, and Raffela. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
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NAME: |
STEFFI BRETT |
| ROLE: |
Stable lass |
| STARTED: |
January 2011 |
| PROFILE: |
Steffi first worked in racing in Ireland. She had one ride over hurdles at Market Rasen, finishing 3rd. She moved to Herefordshire from her home area in Sussex to live with her long term boyfriend, Pete, an agricultural engineer. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Ambrose Princess, Ten Pole Tudor. Her favourites in the yard, currently at grass, are Hazy Dawn and No Through Road. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Leading up Hear The Echo for Mouse Morris to win the 2008 Irish Grand National. |
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NAME: |
TESSA CHAMPION |
| ROLE: |
WORK RIDER |
| STARTED: |
March 2012 |
| PROFILE: |
Tess is Michaels girlfriend, who grew up in Worcestershrie, and has just graduated in Physiotherapy from Cardiff University. She hopes to further her studies in Equine Physiotherapy next September. She has previously ridden out/gone racing for Richard Lee and David Brace. Tessa is hoping to ride point to pointing this upcoming season (under Michaels' excellent tutoring), and assist Maz in the training of her string of pointers. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Rash Moment, Silver Adonis, Guest Book, Riptide and Raffela. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Tess led up Richard Johnson's 2000th winner at Newbury races in 2010. She won a Charity Flat race at her local course - Ludlow races, on Mr Frodo, whom she owned and trained herself. |
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