United Kingdom-50 years since Oxo won the Grand National in 1959.

When Oxo provided taste of National success

Jockey Tom Scudamore reveals that his Aintree-winning grandad, Michael, could not be silenced by the BBC Tom Scudamore

This year is the 50th anniversary of my grandfather, Michael, winning the Grand National on Oxo. To celebrate this on Grand National day, the BBC sent a camera crew down to my brother’s yard in Hereford to interview members of the Scudamore clan.

My grandfather, for those who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, is not only my hero but also a bit of a character. Having ridden in an era when the obstacles were the size of small buildings, he somehow managed to avoid injury for most of his career, until he had a bad fall and had to retire.

One of the worst injuries he received was on a shopping trip when he fell through a hole in the floor and dislocated his shoulder. Once, on a night out, he mistook the lamp on the table for a vinegar bottle, took out the wick and poured paraffin all over his chips. Luckily, he only had a couple before he realised something was not right.

So the poor camera crew should have been warned about his track record before coming to film him. All was going smoothly until the end of the shoot, when Grandad had to leave - only to forget that he had not taken off his microphone and that it was still working.

The crew were treated to about half an hour in the world of Michael Scudamore, oblivious to the fact that about four men could hear every word.

Not surprisingly, many of those in racing are highly superstitious. Jockeys may wear a lucky garment, or put their riding boots on in a certain way. David Nicholson, the great trainer, would wear his lucky red socks, and Martin Pipe treats the colour green as unlucky (which is surprising as some of his most successful owners have green in their colours).

When Dad was riding for him he once gave Martin a green saddle to put on the horse he was about to ride. When the horse got beaten it was down to the saddle and Dad had to get rid of it. Although it was a lovely saddle, Martin’s superstitions also had a more positive effect.

Dad once had a horrible green suit and when Martin saw him in it he stopped him wearing it. Unluckily for me, Dad is so tight he decided that he would get some use out of it, so it was handed down to me. Now I am stable jockey to Pond House the suit is no longer worn, although if my daughter Margot takes a shine to it..

Lord Oaksey was 80 this week so this is an opportunity to wish him many happy returns from myself and my colleagues. Being a founder trustee of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund, he has changed the shape of my profession from when my grandfather was riding. He has been the saviour not just of former jockeys who have been injured but of their families who may have fallen on hard times. All of us within the sport are truly grateful for the time and selflessness he has given to the cause.