Paul Nicholls Profile

A serial winner and one of the UK’s most successful trainers in modern-day racing, Paul Nicholls has a long list of achievements.

Starting life out in the sport as a successful jumps jockey, he has emulated all his achievements in the saddle by reaching new heights as a trainer.

Many consider him to be the most authoritative voice on National Hunt racing – but how has he built that reputation? Explore all you need to know about Nicholls below.

Paul Nicholls Record and Previous Winners

Paul Nicholls’ achievements are eye-watering.

He has trained more than 3,800 winners, won the British jump racing Champion Trainer title 14 times and has amassed more than £40 million in prize money.

He is perhaps most known for helping to produce the likes of record-breaker Kauto Star, Gold Cup winner Denman, Grand National winner Neptune Collonges and four-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck's.

Paul Nicholls Cheltenham Record

A six-time Cheltenham Festival top trainer, Nicholls’ results at Prestbury Park make for hugely impressive reading.

The last of his six awards came in 2009 while, over the course of his career, he has landed 49 Cheltenham Festival winners, including:

• Champion Hurdle: Rock On Ruby (2012)
• Gold Cup: See More Business (1999), Kauto Star (2007, 2009), Denman (2008)
• Pertemps Handicap Hurdle: Monmiral (2024)

Of the Paul Nicholls horses that have caught the eye the most around Prestbury Park, two stand out: Kuato Star and Denman have each produced the stuff of Cheltenham legend.

The two had an iconic rivalry; Kuato Star secured two Gold Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2009 while Denman came out on top in the 2008 renewal.

Paul Nicholls Recent Winners

Some of the horses Nicholls has trained to victory recently are:

• 18th February – Open Hunters' Chase (Shearer 4/11)
• 15th February – Ascot Chase (Pic D'orhy 9/5)
• 8th February – Handicap Hurdle (Irish Hill 15/2)

List of selected recent winners correct at the time of publication but subject to change.

Paul Nicholls in Numbers

• 51 – Nicholls has more than a half-century of Cheltenham winners, which includes his four Gold Cup triumphs
• 1 – He produced one winner at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, Monmiral in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
• 80 – Pic D'Orhy has an 80% strike rate since 15 October 2022 in the races he completes.

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