2015 Grand National Runner Monbeg Dude (IRE)
Trainer Michael Scudamore comes from an illustrious line of horesemen. His great-grandfather Geoffrey rode winners as an amateur, grandfather Michael was Oxo’s pilot when winning the 1959 Grand National and his father Peter was eight-times champion jockey but never managed to win the Grand National. His brother Tom is retained rider at David Pipe’s yard.
About Monbeg Dude
Monbeg Dude (IRE) 10-10-07
Breeding: b g Witness Box (USA) – Ten Dollar Bill (IRE) (Accordion (IRE))
Breeder: Hilary O’Connor
Born: April 15, 2005
Owner: Oydunow
Trainer: Michael Scudamore
Monbeg Dude Form
Form: 26/45213P/U113P/34157-24430
*Seventh, beaten 22 lengths by Pineau De Re, in the 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National
*Stayed on after being outpaced when 14th of 24, beaten 25 lengths by The Druids Nephew in the Grade Three Ultima Business
Solutions Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong at the Cheltenham Festival on March 10 (wore tongue-tie for first time).
*Ran well in three major handicap staying chases earlier this season, taking third in the Betfred Grand National Trial over three miles and five furlongs at Haydock Park on February 14 and fourth in both the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27 and Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup on November 29.
*Enjoyed finest hour to date when edging out Teaforthree by a half-length in a thrilling finish to theCoral Welsh National (nearly
three and three quarter miles) on heavy ground at Chepstow in January, 2013.
*Was purchased at a post-racing Brightwells auction at Cheltenham in January, 2010, for £12,000, although Mike Tindall, who was
responsible for the winning bid, had never previously seen Monbeg Dude and had his back to the ring when the horse was offered
for sale. James Simpson-Daniel and Michael Scudamore were with Tindall and each took a quarter-share.
They got in touch withNicky Robinson and he agreed to take the remaining25 per cent.
*Has his own Twitter handle – @MonbegDude – and his improved jumping over the past couple of seasons has been attributed in
part to schooling sessions with Zara Phillips, wife of part-owner Mike Tindall.
Race record: Starts: 23; Wins: 4; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 4;
Win & Place Prize Money: £156,497
Monbeg Dude Welsh Grand National Win
About Monbeg Dude Owners – Oydunow
The Oydunow syndicate consists of trainer Michael Scudamore plus two former rugby union internationals – Mike Tindall, James
Simpson-Daniel and current rugby player Nicky Robinson. If Monbeg Dude were to be successful at Aintree, he would not
be the first Grand National winner to have a rugby connection – the 1979 victor Rubstic was owned by John Douglas, who playe d for Scotland in the 1960s, while the 1928 scorer Tipperary Tim was bred by Irish international John Ryan.
Michael Scudamore Crabbie’s Grand National Record:
2014-7 Monbeg Dude
About Michael Scudamore (Bromsash, Herefordshire)
Born: February 24, 1984
Background: a son of eight-time champion jump jockey Peter Scudamore, who is assistant trainer toScottish handler Lucinda Russell, and grandson of the late Michael snr, who rode Oxo to victory in the 1959 Grand National at Aintree and also was successful in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase. Mother Marilyn is a point-to-point trainer, while his brother Tom is a successful jump
jockey with seven Cheltenham Festival wins to his name, including two at the 2015 four-day meeting in March. Michael grew up surrounded by horses in the Cotswolds – Peter was assistant trainer to Nigel Twiston-Davies when the trainer sent out Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree 2002) to win the Crabbie’s Grand National. Michael was a keen pony rider as a child and enjoyed show jjumping and one-day eventing, although he initiallywanted to become a rugby player and played as a flanker for Gloucester Academy and Wales U-19s. He also spent two seasons playing professionally forEbbw Vale as well as a spell with Gwent Dragons U-21s. Realising he wouldn’t make it at the highest level as a rugby player, he
instead tried his luck as a point-to-point jockey,riding three winners in a season. As well as working with his father, he spent time with Dennis Caro, James Fanshawe and Martin Pipe. Michael became assistant to his grandfather in 2005 before taking over thereins at Eccleswall Court, Bromsash near Ross-On-Wye on April 30, 2008.
Major Wins include: Henrietta Knight Handicap Chase (2012 Monbeg Dude),Coral Welsh National (2013 Monbeg Dude), Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase (2013 Monbeg Dude), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (2015 Next Sensation – his first at the Cheltenham Festival)
