Nicky Henderson
Far better known as a champion trainer, Nicky Henderson was also a very decent amateur rider, amassing a total of 75 associated with Fred Winter’s stable between 1972 and 1978. His wins included the Imperial Cup, the Liverpool Foxhunters and the Horse and Hound Cup.
Far better known as a champion trainer, Nicky Henderson was also a very decent amateur rider, amassing a total of 75 associated with Fred Winter’s stable between 1972 and 1978. His wins included the Imperial Cup, the Liverpool Foxhunters and the Horse and Hound Cup.
Nicholas John Henderson was born in Lambeth, London on December 10, 1950. His father, stockbroker Johnny Henderson was one of the founders of the Racecourse Holdings Trust as well as earlier in life being Aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Montgomery. In 2005, two years after Johnny Henderson’s death, Cheltenham renamed one of the races at the Festival in his, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. Nicky trained the winner of it in 2006, a horse named Greenhope.
Nicholas John Henderson was born in Lambeth, London on December 10, 1950. His father, stockbroker Johnny Henderson was one of the founders of the Racecourse Holdings Trust as well as earlier in life being Aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Montgomery. In 2005, two years after Johnny Henderson’s death, Cheltenham renamed one of the races at the Festival in his, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. Nicky trained the winner of it in 2006, a horse named Greenhope.
Nicky was educated at Eton College before joining Fred Winter as assistant trainer cum amateur rider. He rode his first winner on Happy Warrior at Kempton on November 16, 1972.
Nicky was educated at Eton College before joining Fred Winter as assistant trainer cum amateur rider. He rode his first winner on Happy Warrior at Kempton on November 16, 1972.
In 1977 Nicky won the Imperial Cup on Fred Winter’s Acquaint and also the Liverpool Foxhunters Chase on Happy Warriow, overcoming a slipping saddle in the process.
In 1977 Nicky won the Imperial Cup on Fred Winter’s Acquaint and also the Liverpool Foxhunters Chase on Happy Warriow, overcoming a slipping saddle in the process.
Nicky won five hunter chases on Rolls Rambler in 1978, culminating in the Horse and Hound Cup Final Champion Hunters’ Chase at Stratford on June 3, 1978. That was his last ride. He hung up his boots and embarked on what would become a highly distinguished training career. The first winner ‘trained by N. Henderson’ was Dukery at Uttoxeter on October 14, 1978.
Nicky won five hunter chases on Rolls Rambler in 1978, culminating in the Horse and Hound Cup Final Champion Hunters’ Chase at Stratford on June 3, 1978. That was his last ride. He hung up his boots and embarked on what would become a highly distinguished training career. The first winner ‘trained by N. Henderson’ was Dukery at Uttoxeter on October 14, 1978.
He is the leading trainer of all time at the Cheltenham Festival. His long list of top-class winners includes two Cheltenham Gold Cups with Long Run (2011) and Bob’s Worth (2013); five Champion Hurdles with See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009) and Binocular (2010); and four Champion Chases with Remittance Man (1992), Finian’s Rainbow (2012) and, of course, twice with Sprinter Sacre (2013, 2016). His achievement in bringing Sprinter Sacre back to win a second Champion Chase following its problems is the pinnacle of his career to date.
He is the leading trainer of all time at the Cheltenham Festival. His long list of top-class winners includes two Cheltenham Gold Cups with Long Run (2011) and Bob’s Worth (2013); five Champion Hurdles with See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009) and Binocular (2010); and four Champion Chases with Remittance Man (1992), Finian’s Rainbow (2012) and, of course, twice with Sprinter Sacre (2013, 2016). His achievement in bringing Sprinter Sacre back to win a second Champion Chase following its problems is the pinnacle of his career to date.
Although primarily a jump trainer, he has enjoyed success in major races on the Flat, none more so than with Caracciola, who won the Cesarewitch in 2008 at odds of 50/1 as an 11-year-old. Caracciola followed up this success by winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009 as a 12-year-old. Nicky trained his second Royal Ascot winner when Veiled won the 2011 Ascot Stakes.
Although primarily a jump trainer, he has enjoyed success in major races on the Flat, none more so than with Caracciola, who won the Cesarewitch in 2008 at odds of 50/1 as an 11-year-old. Caracciola followed up this success by winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009 as a 12-year-old. Nicky trained his second Royal Ascot winner when Veiled won the 2011 Ascot Stakes.