Lucinda Russell has been flying the flag for Scottish racing for many years, and when you look at how the yard works, it’s not just Lucinda up there doing the hard graft. Her partner is Peter Scudamore, an eight-time champion jockey in his riding days and now assists Lucinda in the yard’s day-to-day running.
They have tasted success around the UK, and once in the Grand National, which was in 2017 with the popular One For Arthur, a victory that was celebrated by many. Since then, they’ve tried again with One For Arthur but could only finish sixth in 2019. Corach Rambler gave her a second Grand National win in 2023 giving Lucinda’s record of all horses coming home even more strength to date.
Horse racing is hugely popular in Scotland, with a handful of courses, but few trainers set up their base there because of the geographical location. Therefore, Scotland has few flag bearers, but Lucinda Russell is undoubtedly one of them.
In 2018, Russell was given an OBS on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to racing, which came just months after she won the Grand National as a female trainer in 2017.
Lucinda Russell Grand National Wins
- 2023 - Corach Rambler ridden by Derek Fox
- 2017 - One For Arthur ridden by Derek Fox
Full Results
| Year | Horse | Result | Prize Money | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | 1 | £500,000 | Derek Fox |
| 2022 | Mighty Thunder | Fence 24 - Pulled Up | - | Derek Fox |
| 2019 | One For Arthur | 6 | £30,000 | Derek Fox |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | 1 | £561,300 | Derek Fox |
| 2011 | Silver by Nature | 12 | - | Peter Buchanan |
| 2005 | Strong Resolve | 17 | - | Peter Buchanan |
| 1996 | Greenhill Raffles | 14 | - | Martin Foster |
First Grand National Winner
Scotland was cheering in 2017, for the second time in the history of the Grand National and the first time since 1979, when Rubstic won for Scotland for the very first time. Two false starts, fallers, the leader being carried out and more all led to what was seen as a pretty dramatic race for recent times.
At the final fence, four horses were in with a chance, so the ending was dramatic too, but as they jumped, One For Arthur ended any hope of a thrilling finish as he pulled clear of the others to win the race by four and a half lengths. In doing that, he gave Lucinda Russell the biggest win of her training career and gave Scotland their second Grand National hero.
Second Grand National Winner Corach Rambler
After her success in the 2017 Grand National with One for Arthur, Lucinda Russell was hungry for more, and a horse emerged in her yard, described by many as being the ‘next One For Arthur’. That horse was Corach Rambler, and in 2023, he gave Lucinda Russell her second victory in the biggest race in UK racing, the Grand National at Aintree.
Having previously won on a big stage, winning at the Cheltenham Festival in both 2022 and 2023, Corach Rambler was no stranger to the headlines. However, he took his form to a new level and gained even more of the spotlight when winning the Aintree Grand National.
Prior to his run in the race, he impressed by landing the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, something that would give him a 10lb rise in the weights. However, as the Grand National weights had already been confirmed, that 10lb would not be added, so he would, in theory, be well in for the contest.
Early in the race, he was just behind the pace before dropping off a little and settling in midfield, where he got himself into a great jumping rhythm. As the runners went out onto the final circuit, he began to pick up, moving through the field as other horses began to tire. There was none of that from Corach Rambler, though, every time jockey Derek Fox took him forward, the horse responded well.
Going through the field, he found himself in third position with two fences to go, he was going well and looked to be the main danger. Between two out and the final fence, he had moved forward even more and was the leader as the horses jumped the last.
From then on, there was no turning back, and despite idling a little up the run in, the horse went on to win the race by two and a quarter lengths. He was trained to the minute by Lucinda Russell, who knew what was needed from her runner to win this race.
He stayed strong, got the distance well, and was schooled well over the fences because he hardly made a mistake during the race. As a nine-year-old, the horse won the race at the peak of his career, but there is certainly time for him to come back to the race and defend his crown in 2024.
Assistant Trainer Peter Scudamore
While Lucinda Russell is the name on the training license, it is fair to say that a great partnership is behind the stable’s success. Former champion jockey Peter Scudamore, the partner of Lucinda Russell, is an assistant trainer at the yard, bringing his racing experience and contacts to the team.
He received an MBE for his services to racing, won the champion jockey title eight times and rode a total of 1678 winners during his career. From race planning to watching the gallops and coaching jockeys, Peter Scudamore is an incredibly vital part of Lucinda Russell’s team.
Famous Horses Trained by Lucinda Russell
Here are some of the bigger names trained by Lucinda Russell during her career.
One For Arthur
Ahoy Senor
Corach Rambler