A STAR Herefordshire jockey shocked racing fans by announcing his retirement from the sport.

Jockey Tom Scudamore, one of the all-time leading jump jockeys, has retired after a 25-year career in the saddle. 

The jockey, son and grand-son of racing greats Peter and  Michael Scudamore, made the decision on Thursday after being unseated at Leicester from Ya Know Yaseff, who is trained by Scudamore's long-term trainer friend David Pipe.

The fall came hot on the heels after suffering from a concussion in another fall two weeks ago at Chepstow. 

Scudamore announced : "I'm going to be 41 in May and after getting that concussion a couple of weeks ago, I now don't bounce like I did.

"It was always important to me that I got to make the decision (to retire) and I've been very fortunate that it was in my own hands. I had another fall yesterday and while I'd love to still bounce back like I was 20, that's not the way it is. 

"Very few people get to go out on their own terms, whether it's through injury or getting the sack, so I've been very fortunate. My grandfather had to retire through a bad fall, so it was always clear to me that you wouldn't always get the choice of where and when you stop riding. 

"It was always drummed into us that you'll know when the moment is and once you've made that decision it's settled. For me, that time came yesterday." 

Scudamore is the 10th on the list of jump jockey with the most all time wins, with 1,499 wins over jumps in Britain and Ireland and his record featured top-level wins including notable success with the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, in the 2016 King George as one of five Grade 1 wins the partnership enjoyed. 

He also enjoyed major victories at the Cheltenham Festival, with Dynaste, Western Warhorse along with a Champion Bumper success with Moon Racer and a memorable win in the Grand Annual with Next Sensation, who was trained by his brother Michael.