Furlong after furlong – achieving a dream - Lucinda Russell OBE 

Lucinda Russell left St George’s in 1983. in Lower Six, having started in Primary One. She has gone on to become the premier National Hunt horse trainer in Scotland, establishing the most successful racing yard in the history of Scottish jump racing. She has trained over 600 winners, including nine graded winners and winners at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. In 2017, she trained the winner of the Aintree Grand National – One for Arthur. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours list in early 2018 for her services to horseracing.  

She is based in Kinross where she lives with her partner Peter Scudamore.  

We were delighted that Lucinda agreed to be interviewed, in what is a special year of recognition for all that she has achieved so far in the sport, to share with us how school influenced her early years, and advice for others considering a sporting career.  

''The race is won or lost far away from crowds; behind the lines, on the gallops, in the yard, in the sun, the rain, the snow, long before the glory'' – Lucinda Russell OBE 

 Q) What subjects did you study? 

In my day you could leave on Highers and I chose the subjects that I liked and found easy: Biology, Geography, Chemistry, English, and Maths. 

Q) What were your strongest memories from school? 

Discipline, routine, the shiny tiles on the walls, super teachers, although I was scared of most of them, and school lunches. We also had some terrible hard, shiny loo paper; it would not be allowed in this health and safety age. 

Q) Who within the school helped or inspired you and set you on your career path? 

Mrs Hunter, the biology teacher, had such a love of her subject and what we learned was so applicable. I still think of her lessons now. Actually, all of the teachers: we were so lucky to have ladies who loved their subjects and were really good at teaching us. I was certainly inspired, even in Latin, by the wonderful Mrs Mackay, who we seemed to laugh with, as well as learn Latin. And Miss Mackintosh whom I loved; it was a shame that I was not a natural historian.  

Q) What sort of influence did St George’s have on you as you look back now? 

At the time I did not enjoy my school days, as all I wanted to do was to go home and ride my pony, but, looking back, the rules and inspiration to keep learning have guided me through my life. I would do my prep in breaks so that I could ride as soon as I got home, so maybe it also taught me how to cram a lot into one day. I did enjoy learning and we were lucky to be taught so well. 

Q) Can you share a bit of background about how you became a horse trainer? 

Having studied Psychology at St Andrews University, I managed to con my parents that I would take a year out to ride my eventers before finding a proper job. I was sent other people's horses to event, hunt and eventually point-to-point and, having found training pointers easy, I took out my trainer’s license to train under rules. I use many of the skills that I learned at school and later to train; it is not just about the horse but also about interaction with owners, marketing and dealing with human resource issues. 

Q) What would you describe as the biggest challenges about running your own racehorse training business? 

My love is horses and, using my biology and chemistry knowledge, I have a special interest in the veterinary side. We develop each horse then take them to the edge of their physical capabilities and constantly walk the line between full fitness and preventing injury. It is all about balance and feel and working out each horse as an individual, then planning its routine. It is very rewarding when you get it right.  

Q) What would you highlight as the biggest successes and thrills? 

One For Arthur winning the Grand National was my biggest achievement. His owners asked me to buy a Grand National horse and, once purchased, we planned his route to the race from three years previously; in good St George's fashion I had made a lot of lists and my English teachers would have been proud as we had a beginning, middle and ending to his route to the race.   
 

Q) What lessons have you learned along the way? 

Be true to yourself and do what you love. Always pause and look at the problem with a cool head when issues arise. Be ambitious and make a plan of how to get to your aim. People will let you down; I cannot believe how badly some people are brought up and their behaviour to others (obviously did not go to St G's) – avoid such people. I think, when you leave St George's, you need to realise how privileged we are to have been taught so well and given self-confidence and belief and it is important to build on that and make people proud of us. 

Q) Horseracing is a very competitive field. Does this require a certain mindset or outlook on life? 

You need to have a positive outlook and be ready to prepare as well as you can. When I first started, I did not realise how resilient you have to be; things go wrong but you have to find the best solution and return to your plan. It is definitely a help that horses are my passion and I am lucky to have made them my world.  

Q) Has the proliferation of technology in today’s modern world impacted on racehorse training? If so, how? 

From a marketing perspective it has helped as it is easier to reach a huge audience immediately. Owning a racehorse is expensive and I like to give my owners a lot of interaction, whether it is from a text, phone call, video or emails – it is so easy to keep in touch nowadays. The technicalities of entering races are very easy now, as is looking up form to decide which race is best for each horse. Veterinary advances have been rapid and our diagnostics for injuries are far more sophisticated, as is the treatment of problems. We have just invested in a water treadmill to help with building muscle, recuperation from injury and maintenance of fitness. I think that we are further forward in understanding the mechanics of the horses, but the nice thing is when, at the end of a long day, you can walk around the stables with your phone switched off and just be with the horses. 

Q) Congratulations on receiving your recent OBE. Can you tell us a bit about what this award means to you? 

It was a bit of a surprise and came out of the blue. I was firstly delighted for my parents, who have supported me through school and through all the ups and downs of life afterwards. It was marvellous for Scottish Racing, as we were considered the underdogs of British horseracing but, with Arthur's win and the success of our stable and others up here, we are showing that we are as good as the rest. I still find it unbelievable. It is a good thing that we were taught how to curtsy in PE. 

Q) If you were offering advice to other young women who are looking to get into a career in sport and professional horseracing, what would you say? 

Learn from the best, be resilient, make a plan and thrive on the hard work.  

Q) Is there any female, from the world of horseracing, sport or completely different background, that you really admire? 

As a child growing up, I wanted to be Lucinda Prior-Palmer who won Badminton but, actually, I would not say that there was one woman who I wanted to be like. There is a big push in horseracing at the moment to give female jockeys the same opportunity as men, but I think that gender makes no difference. If you are good enough then you succeed. I have always been very determined to be the best, a trait that St George's encouraged. If I had to pick one lady? Then probably Miss Cunliffe, who managed to plan lunches for the whole school each day and created the wonderful pink pudding.  

http://www.lucindarussell.com

Kate Forster (Class of 1997) interviewed Lucinda in August 2018.