Threeunderthrufive’s win in the Listed 3m novice hurdle at Perth on Wednesday was Nicholls 172nd win of the season, beating his previous season-best of 171, which he set in 2016-2017. Mon Frere‘s win in the opening novice hurdle at Taunton made it 173 for the trainer.
Breaking his own record is a fantastic achievement, especially when considering the impact Covid-19 has had on jump racing. Flat racing resumed a month after the UK’s first lockdown on June 1 in 2020, whereas racing over jumps did not resume until August last year.
The trainers 172 winners came from 689 runners, which gives Nicholls a win rate of 25%, the best return since 2016-2017. 2020 was also the first year that he has had 100 winners before the end of the year.
Nicholls paid tribute to his team, saying:
“We thought it was something that might be possible a while back, and we’ve cracked it, It’s been a fantastic season, and when you consider we missed May and June, it makes it all the more incredible.
“It reflects well on the whole team, from everybody who has been riding so well to all the owners and staff. Everyone has worked hard during some difficult times, and the owners have stuck with us.
“Everybody’s enthusiasm has been rewarded, and the horses have been fit and healthy and kept on running well and winning the right races.”
A highlight of the season was on Boxing Day when Frodon’s win at Kempton gave Nicholls his 12th win at the King George VI Chase, a record for the race.
His first win at the race was with nine-year-old Kauto Star ridden by Ruby Walsh. Since then, his other winners came in 2011 (Kauto Star, Ruby Walsh), 2013 (Silviniaco Conti, Noel Fehily), 2014 (Silviniaco Conti, Noel Fehily), 2018 (Clan des Obeaux, Harry Cobden) and 2019 (Clan Des Obeaux, Sam Twiston-Davies).
Nicholls began training in 1991 and has trained 3,300 National Hunt winners in his career. Although Nicolls uncharacteristically didn’t train any winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, he has had four Grade 1 winners.
Politologue took the Tingle Creek Chase, Bravemansgame won the Challow Hurdle, Monmiral was successful at the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, and Clan Des Obeaux claimed the Betway Bowl.
The trainer will land the title of the champion trainer at Sandown on Saturday for a 12th time. Winning a tug-of-war with rival Nicky Henderson. His closest challenger for the trainer accolade is Dan Skelton, who was previously Nicholls assistant. Skelton is around £500,000 short of Nicholl’s prize money this season.
On winning the champion trainer title, Nicholls said:
“It’s nice to be champion trainer as last season was a little frustrating as it ended earlier than we’d have liked,”
“We’ve had some good battles with Nicky over the last few seasons; he’d probably be the first to admit he hasn’t had the season he would have wanted. He’ll be back again next season, that’s for sure, and then we’ve got Dan Skelton snapping at our heels.
“We’ve got some nice horses to run at Sandown on Saturday, and it will be nice to go there without any pressure. The season hasn’t ended yet, and hopefully, we’ll add a few more.”
