Grand National 2015 Fact Files |
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Teaforthree (IRE) |
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Teaforthree has been ruled out, making it third time unlucky in the world's greatest steeplechase after meeting with a setback.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained 11-year-old unseated Nick Scholfield in last year's race after finishing third in the 2013 renewal.
Part-owner Nigel Roddis tweeted: "Sorry to say that we've had to scratch Teaforthree from the National. He's OK but will need a few quiet days, which rules him out."
Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman
When Soccer AM's lease of Teaforthree, organised with the help of Racing For Change (RFC), ran out one of RFC's executives was keen not to bid farewell to the horse. Nigel Roddis, now Betting Development Director (Betting) at RFC's successor Great British Racing, got together a team of friends to form a partnership. Roddis, who hails from Yorkshire, is an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan and Teaforthree's racing silks are inspired by the colours of The Owls. Roddis, 44, hails from Yorkshire and is a lawyer whose career began with city firm Olswang. He has specialised in the betting industry. He joined the Tote in 2000, originally to deal with legal issues surrounding its sale but he progressed to run the company's pool business. In 2006, he joined At The Races as international director. After a brief time out of racing, he joined Racing For Change in late 2009. Roddis's wife Hannah, who works for the Jockey Club, shares his stake in Teaforthree, John O'Reilly, head of interactive at Coral Bookmakers and previously a longstanding executive director at Ladbrokes, has a share with his wife Christine. The remaining partners are media lawyer David Zeffman, who worked with Roddis at Olswang and has specialised in racing, lobbyist and lawyer James Conyers, who oversees legal affairs at Sky as the company's General Counsel. All four partners are based in London, although O'Reilly spends much of his time in Gibraltar.
Crabbie's Grand National record: 2013 Teaforthree (3rd)
Rebecca Curtis (Pembrokeshire)
Born: April 1, 1980 Background: Grew up on Fforest Farm five miles from Fishguard on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales, a place that has now become her training centre. Has been around horses all her life and started riding aged four, progressing to showjump for the Welsh junior team. Rode in point-to-points and her first job in racing was with nearby trainer Peter Bowen. Spent five years in America with trainers Richard Mandella and Dan Hendricks before coming home to take out a licence in 2008. First winner was Mango Catcher at Chepstow on April 5, 2008. Enjoyed a first Cheltenham Festival winner when Teaforthree won the National Hunt Chase in 2012 and has enjoyed two further winners at the famous meeting - At Fishers Cross in the 2013 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (her first Grade One victory) and O'Faolains Boy in the RSA Chase this year. Curtis is assisted by her partner, bloodstock agent Gearoid Costelloe, and she uses her family's private beach to exercise her horses.
Crabbie's Grand National record: 2013 Teaforthree (3rd)
Nick Scholfield
Born: June 25, 1989 Background: son of British champion point-to-point rider Philip Scholfield. Brought up riding ponies in his native Devon and went to Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International to show Chiddock Over The Limit at the age of 15. He always wanted to be a jockey - his first mount under Rules was also his first winner, Lou Du Moulin Mas, in an amateur riders' event at Newbury in November, 2006. By the end of his first season, Scholfield had ridden six winners from just 14 rides under Rules, and had gained the national novice riders' title in point-to-points with a record 25 winners. His impressive strike-rate continued into the 2007/08 season as, backed by the powerful Ditcheat stable of Paul Nicholls, he became champion amateur with 20 victories to his name. Decided to turn professional immediately after the 2007/08 campaign and enjoyed success with his first ride as a paid jockey aboard Double The Trouble at Towcester on April 28, 2008. Appointed as retained jockey to the Andy Turnell stable in April, 2009. Second behind Rhys Flint in the conditional jockeys' championship in 2009/2010, going down by four wins in a thrilling battle for the title. He has struck up a burgeoning partnership with trainer Jeremy Scott and guided Melodic Rendezvous to victory in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January, 2013. He has partnered the same horse to three Grade Two wins this season.
Crabbie's Grand National Record: 2008 Cornish Sett (12th); 2009 Cornish Sett (17th); 2010 My Will (Fell 4th); 2011 Ornais (Fell 4th); 2013 Teaforthree (3rd)
