Nicholas Mark Adams was born at Pontypool on July 26, 1961, and lived at 5, Hayfield Court, Eastbury, Newbury, Berks.
He was apprenticed to F Johnson Houghton, J Sutcliffe & M Blanshard
His best season came in 1986 when he partnered 21 winners.
His first winner was Oratavo at Bath on July 4, 1981.
Nick rode as a freelance.
He became a jockey's agent after 21 years in the saddle.
His biggest winners were March Bird in the 1990 Schweppes Golden Mile and Inlander in the 1987 Ascot Stakes.
Nicky, one of the hardest-working jockeys in the business, retired from riding two days short of his 37th birthday after racing at Chepstow.
One of Britain's leading lightweights, he will start immediately as a jockeys' agent -and a heavyweight one at that, as he has already signed up former champion apprentice Seb Sanders. Another big-name signing is imminent.
The rider's decision to call it a day after 21 years in the saddle is based purely on economics.
He explained: "It's got so competitive that I can't really make it pay any more. There are a lot of overheads to cover when you're driving up and down the country for the odd ride and I've also got to think of my wife Tracy and two children.
"I'd like to thank all of those owners and trainers who have supported me in the past and hope that we can strike up a new business relationship."
"Prolific" is a word often used to describe Adams, though for the sheer number of rides he got through rather than his winning percentage.
He has seen his number of rides dwindle from a high of 765 in 1990-and a best score of 36 winners-to 343 last year.
He admitted: "I couldn't see it getting any better and I'm still young enough to do something else. Apart from two short periods, I've always booked my own rides, so I'm not worried about the problems of being an agent.
"I've always admired Seb and believe he's a champion jockey in the making. Our first target is to get the century up again.
"I'm about to sign another senior jockey and am also on the lookout for an up-and-coming apprentice."
Nicky started off in 1977 with Fulke Johnson Houghton, with whom he spent three years. He then joined John Sutcliffe, who provided him with his first winner, Oratavo, at Bath in 1981.
His self-effacing assessment -"I spent most of the time bumming around the Warwicks and Folkestones, but they all count!"-should not be taken too literally. There were a few glory days, too.
It was the Sutcliffe-trained March Bird who provided his biggest success when landing the Schweppes Golden Mile at Goodwood in 1990.
Nicky also scored at Royal Ascot on the Reg Akehurst-trained Inlander (Ascot Stakes) and enjoyed many a good pay-day on the tough Ardrox Lad, the Michael Blanshard-trained sprinter.
His last winner was Eastern Lyric for Jack Berry at Bath on July 16, 1998.
