Tom Scudamore surprised the racing world on Friday morning when he announced that he is retiring from the saddle with immediate effect, but the 40-year-old jockey already has one eye on the future.
The decision to call time on his riding career was made after being unseated from Ya Know Yaseff at Leicester on Thursday, with the fall prompting him to reassess the future, although he is eager to maintain his presence in the sport.
Reflecting on his announcement, Scudamore said: "I've had a fantastic time and all good things must come to end and 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."
Scudamore rode his first winner in 1998 and recorded his best seasonal tally in the 2014-15 campaign when he partnered 150 winners. In all, he partnered over 1,500 winners in his 25-year career and he bows out with 10 Cheltenham Festival winners to his credit, highlighted by Thistlecrack's World Hurdle win in 2016.
Coming from a famous racing dynasty, Scudamore's father Peter was an eight-times champion jockey over jumps, while his grandfather Michael rode Oxo to victory in the 1959 Grand National, and his brother, Michael , is also a successful trainer.
When asked if he might consider joining his brother in a training career, Scudamore replied: "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."
