Where, and when, did Lucinda Russell reach the landmark of 1,000 winners?

Born in Edinburgh on June 24, 1995, Lucinda Russell is based at Arlary House Stables in Milnathort, near Kinross, central Scotland, where she started training in 1995. Strictly speaking, she holds a dual-purpose licence, but her emphasis is very much on National Hunt racing and she presides over what has become the most successful in the history of the sport in Scotland.

Russell reached the landmark of 1,000 winners at Kelso on Saturday, November 9, 2024, courtesy of victory for Starlyte in the Graeme Todd Memorial Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. Ridden by conditional jockey Patrick Wadge, the seven-year-old was officially rated 11lb lower than his previous win, at Newcastle two years previously, and took full advantage, winning comfortably by six lengths.

Russell was quick to praise the owners who have supported her during her training career, saying, “What has been central in every one of the 1,000 wins, no matter where they have been or how big the race was, is the enjoyment we have shared with our owners.” Remarkably, 960 of the 1,000 wins came over fences, famously including the Grand National twice, with One For Arthur in 2017 and Corach Rambler in 2023.

Russell is currently assisted by her partner, eight-time Champion Jockey Peter Scudamore, and his son, Michael, who trained, in his own right, in Bromsash, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire before joining the yard. She originally planned to enter a joint partnership with Scudamore Jnr. once she saddled 1,000 winners in her own name, but has had to delay that decision pending the formation of a limited company.