Who is Lucinda Russell?

Learn more about the Grand National 2023 winning trainer!

Lucinda Russell was a pony-mad child; going pony-clubbing and riding eventers and showjumpers. She originally grew up in Edinburgh but, in 1979 the family moved to Arlary, outside Milanthort near Kinross. She started training racehorses between the Flags before getting out a professional licence in 1995. That September, she sent out her first winner with her first runner: Fiveleigh Builds at Perth, and another three winners over the following month!

So far, Lucinda is the greatest Scottish trainer having trained many a big winner. Most notably, the 2017 Grand National winner, One For Arthur, who won by four and a half lengths under Derek Fox on a brilliantly sunlit day.

There have been the heart-breaking days too; losing Brindisi Breeze months after his enigmatic victory and later that summer, the inconsolable loss of his jockey, Campbell Gilles. Both losses slammed the yard hard, but to lose a member of the team was desperately sad and tough. Yet, racing continued and so did they, somehow marginally consoled by the fact that Campbell Gilles will continue forever in their memories and in racing history.

The Russell family history lies in whisky distilling. With the same diligence that the family developed Isle Of Skye into the major brand it is today, Lucinda has grown her training operation. She is always improving her training ways, for horses and people, assisted by a loyal team and her partner Peter ‘Scu’ Scudamore MBE - an eight-time Champion Jockey who rode 1678 winners. Lucinda even acknowledges how she ‘ruined my parents’ lovely country house by putting up all these sheds’. But out of those ‘sheds’ have flown a Grand National winner, Aintree and Cheltenham Festival winners, over 750 other winners and a 2018 OBE. Long may it continue.

What have been your best days racing so far?
'The 2017 Grand National win with One For Arthur was so special as the owners are Scu’s and my great friends; it was a dream come true for all of us.

Ahoy Senor and Mighty Thunder winning at the top-level last season was important to us all as a yard. Since the Covid lockdown, we are an even closer-knit group, so those wins illustrated how we have all worked together to win at the highest level.'

How special was it to win this year’s Scottish National?
'Owned by Scottish owners and winning with a horse we produced from a three-year-old made it special. Tom Scudamore was riding as a stand-in for usual jockey Blair Campbell who was injured. It was sad for Blair but special for us as a family, and it really capped a brilliant Spring.'

What are your favourite racecourses?
'Aintree has always been a lucky track for our horses. Their standard of track and horse care is exceptional.'

Is there a horse you would have loved to train?
'Red Rum... he was the poster on my wall when I was a child.'

“Team” seems a huge concept within your yard – how important is this as a trainer?
'It's not just about being a team leader but a team player. Like many yards, the work is hard, but everyone pulls their weight or they don't stay. Scu and I ride out and I think this helps with communication and understanding each other. I am so proud of everyone who works here, the support within the yard is huge, and everyone cares about the horses and each other.'

In what ways does Peter Scudamore fit into the dynamic of the yard?
'He is a rock to me and for the jockeys. His greatest talent is to give the riders confidence and to help them make the right decisions naturally. I like to think I am in charge but just maybe he is...'

Generally, what does racing do well?
'Horse welfare, we should promote how much we do to look after horses to the highest level.'

Where could aspects in racing be improved?
'The going for jumps racing should be no quicker than good. Statistically there are fewer horse and jockey injuries when the ground is on the soft side.

I am scared by the accusations of doping. Performance enhancing drugs caused the fall of cycling and will do the same for athletics. I would hate it to be involved in racing.'

What does racing mean to you?!
'It's all about the horse. I love this world as, while it gives some crushing lows, it is a celebration of the majesty, strength and talent of the horse'