Nicky Richards
Nicky Richards
Nicky Richards
Far better known today as a leading northern jumps trainer, Nicky Richards was also a highly successful amateur jockey, riding 39 winners (27 jumps, 12 Flat) in Britain during a brief career ended by a bad fall at Kelso, which forced him to quit the saddle.
Far better known today as a leading northern jumps trainer, Nicky Richards was also a highly successful amateur jockey, riding 39 winners (27 jumps, 12 Flat) in Britain during a brief career ended by a bad fall at Kelso, which forced him to quit the saddle.
He is the son of dual Grand National winning trainer Godon W. Richards (1930-1998), who sent out the likes of Titus Oates, Noddy’s Ride and One Man from his Greystoke, Cumbrian base during a 30-year spell at the helm,
He is the son of dual Grand National winning trainer Godon W. Richards (1930-1998), who sent out the likes of Titus Oates, Noddy’s Ride and One Man from his Greystoke, Cumbrian base during a 30-year spell at the helm,
Born on February 15, 1956, Nicky was only 11 years old when his father brought just five horses across from Beadnell in Northumberland to Greystoke in 1967. However, he was soon a vital cog in the wheel and holds the distinction of having won on his first ride in public on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences.
Born on February 15, 1956, Nicky was only 11 years old when his father brought just five horses across from Beadnell in Northumberland to Greystoke in 1967. However, he was soon a vital cog in the wheel and holds the distinction of having won on his first ride in public on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences.
He made his debut, aged 15, aboard Unruffled in the Amateur Spring Maiden Stakes at Teesside Park on April 3, 1971, winning by two and a half lengths from the favourite Liscarton, the mount of Graham Macmillan, easily the most experienced rider in the race.
He made his debut, aged 15, aboard Unruffled in the Amateur Spring Maiden Stakes at Teesside Park on April 3, 1971, winning by two and a half lengths from the favourite Liscarton, the mount of Graham Macmillan, easily the most experienced rider in the race.
His first ride over hurdles was also a winning one, on Watermelon in the Rosemount Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on March 11, 1972, as was his first over fences, on Proud Stone in the Gosforth Park Amateur Cup Handicap Chase at Newcastle on November 25, 1972.
His first ride over hurdles was also a winning one, on Watermelon in the Rosemount Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on March 11, 1972, as was his first over fences, on Proud Stone in the Gosforth Park Amateur Cup Handicap Chase at Newcastle on November 25, 1972.
Nicky rode 16 winners during that 1972/73 season, mostly on his father’s horses, including such famous names as Titus Oates, The Spaniard and Canadius, the latter being responsible for giving him a big race victory in the Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster.
Nicky rode 16 winners during that 1972/73 season, mostly on his father’s horses, including such famous names as Titus Oates, The Spaniard and Canadius, the latter being responsible for giving him a big race victory in the Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster.
Nicky was champion amateur rider on the Flat for 1973 with five wins, including the Kilkerran Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Ayr’s Western Meeting on Neville Crump’s popular 10-year-old veteran Whispering Grace.
Nicky was champion amateur rider on the Flat for 1973 with five wins, including the Kilkerran Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Ayr’s Western Meeting on Neville Crump’s popular 10-year-old veteran Whispering Grace.
He did not take many outside rides over jumps but built up a good partnership with handicap hurdler Cool Angel, landing touches at Newcastle and Cartmel for owner-trainer Hughie Rebanks, a Shap farmer and permit holder. Ironically, it was that same horse that ended his career over jumps when coming down at the second flight in the Ladbroke Lucky Seven Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on March 30, 1974, breaking Nicky’s left wrist.
He did not take many outside rides over jumps but built up a good partnership with handicap hurdler Cool Angel, landing touches at Newcastle and Cartmel for owner-trainer Hughie Rebanks, a Shap farmer and permit holder. Ironically, it was that same horse that ended his career over jumps when coming down at the second flight in the Ladbroke Lucky Seven Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on March 30, 1974, breaking Nicky’s left wrist.
A pin was inserted to help the wrist to bind and, indeed, some four months later Nicky was back in action, albeit restricting himself to riding on the Flat.
A pin was inserted to help the wrist to bind and, indeed, some four months later Nicky was back in action, albeit restricting himself to riding on the Flat.
He rode three winners on the Flat in 1974, two of them on his father’s Sun Lion in amateur riders’ races at Haydock and Ayr. However, he was beaten half a length on Sea Pigeon in that year’s Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum, the amateur riders’ Derby at Epsom, finishing runner-up to the favourite Laurentian Hills, the mount of Philip Mitchell.
He rode three winners on the Flat in 1974, two of them on his father’s Sun Lion in amateur riders’ races at Haydock and Ayr. However, he was beaten half a length on Sea Pigeon in that year’s Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum, the amateur riders’ Derby at Epsom, finishing runner-up to the favourite Laurentian Hills, the mount of Philip Mitchell.
Later in the autumn, the damaged wrist began to give problems. The pin had worked loose and there was a danger of gangrene setting in. He was told that while the wrist would stand up to normal use, every time he fell the break would re-open. Additionally, he was struggling with his weight. It was time to give up riding in races, even though not yet in his twenties.
Later in the autumn, the damaged wrist began to give problems. The pin had worked loose and there was a danger of gangrene setting in. He was told that while the wrist would stand up to normal use, every time he fell the break would re-open. Additionally, he was struggling with his weight. It was time to give up riding in races, even though not yet in his twenties.
He did manage to ride one final winner, odds-on favourite Highway Rambler in the Redcar Amateur Riders’ Stakes on March 29, 1975. Thereafter, he assisted his father in the successful Greystoke operation, training some of the string from Rectory Farm Stables on the fringe of the village.
He did manage to ride one final winner, odds-on favourite Highway Rambler in the Redcar Amateur Riders’ Stakes on March 29, 1975. Thereafter, he assisted his father in the successful Greystoke operation, training some of the string from Rectory Farm Stables on the fringe of the village.
When Gordon Richards died in September 1998, Nicky seamlessly took over the licence and has continued his father’s success by consistently producing a string of winners.
When Gordon Richards died in September 1998, Nicky seamlessly took over the licence and has continued his father’s success by consistently producing a string of winners.
Nicky's first win came on Unruffled at Teesside, April 3, 1971
Nicky's first win came on Unruffled at Teesside, April 3, 1971
Nicky as he is today