The Scudamores: Three of a Kind – by Michael, Peter and Tom Scudamore

"Winning the Derby makes you rich; winning the Grand National makes you famous," racing folk used to say. While it is certainly possible to earn a lot of money as a jump jockey, surely no one is drawn to that line of work by the lure of the readies on offer. It is very obviously a dangerous job, and the risks do not seem to be reflected in the pay. At the time of writing, professional jump jockeys get £169.85 for each ride, plus up to nine per cent of prize-money won.

MICHAEL

When I first rode, we were getting seven guineas a ride. I think, about the time I finished, it was not far off 20. It might have been a bit more.

A rough calculation suggests Michael and his colleagues were faring pretty well in 1966 on 20 guineas (or £21) per mount, which would be worth about twice as much as the modern riding fee. On the other hand, getting a share of the prize-money was no sure thing.