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Nick Scholfield
Nick Scholfield
The son of a Devon-based point-to-point jockey, Nick Scholfield grew up around horses, having ponies as a child and doing well in show-jumping. On leaving school he joined Paul Nicholls’ stable and rode his first winner on Lou Du Molin Mas in a three-mile amateur riders’ chase at Newbury on 24 November 2006.
The son of a Devon-based point-to-point jockey, Nick Scholfield grew up around horses, having ponies as a child and doing well in show-jumping. On leaving school he joined Paul Nicholls’ stable and rode his first winner on Lou Du Molin Mas in a three-mile amateur riders’ chase at Newbury on 24 November 2006.
Subsequently turning professional, he was part of the extraordinary rags-to-riches story of Hunt Ball during the 2011/12 season, culminating in his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase. He rode two more Festival winners, Qualando in the 2015 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, and Sky Pirate in the 2021 Grand Annual Chase.
Subsequently turning professional, he was part of the extraordinary rags-to-riches story of Hunt Ball during the 2011/12 season, culminating in his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase. He rode two more Festival winners, Qualando in the 2015 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, and Sky Pirate in the 2021 Grand Annual Chase.
He built up a great rapport with Melodic Rendezvous and was aboard the popular Jeremy Scott-trained hurdler for all eight of his victories, including Nick’s first Grade 1 success in the Tolworth Hurdle in 2013. The following year he won the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle on the Paul Nicholls-trained Irvine.
He built up a great rapport with Melodic Rendezvous and was aboard the popular Jeremy Scott-trained hurdler for all eight of his victories, including Nick’s first Grade 1 success in the Tolworth Hurdle in 2013. The following year he won the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle on the Paul Nicholls-trained Irvine.
His other Grade 1 wins came for Nicholls on Adrien Du Pont in the 2016 Finale Juvenile Hurdle and San Benedeto in the Maghull Novices' Chase in 2017. However, the most valuable race he won was the 2023 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Aucunrisque.
His other Grade 1 wins came for Nicholls on Adrien Du Pont in the 2016 Finale Juvenile Hurdle and San Benedeto in the Maghull Novices' Chase in 2017. However, the most valuable race he won was the 2023 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Aucunrisque.
He was twice placed in the Grand National, finishing third on Teaforthree in 2013 and fourth on Santini in 2022. He rode in the race 11 times, completing the course on all bar three occasions, having made his debut in 2008 aboard the Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett.
He was twice placed in the Grand National, finishing third on Teaforthree in 2013 and fourth on Santini in 2022. He rode in the race 11 times, completing the course on all bar three occasions, having made his debut in 2008 aboard the Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett.
He enjoyed his most prolific season in 2012/13 with 66 winners. On the other side of the coin, he suffered his worst injury when breaking a thigh in a fall at Fakenham.
He enjoyed his most prolific season in 2012/13 with 66 winners. On the other side of the coin, he suffered his worst injury when breaking a thigh in a fall at Fakenham.
Having ridden for 19 years as a professional, he announced his retirement from the saddle, aged 35, the day after riding in the 2025 Grand National, in which he pulled up his mount, the Jonjo and AJ O'Neill-trained Monbeg Genius, owned by his long-time supporter Martin Tedham, after the third-last fence.
Having ridden for 19 years as a professional, he announced his retirement from the saddle, aged 35, the day after riding in the 2025 Grand National, in which he pulled up his mount, the Jonjo and AJ O'Neill-trained Monbeg Genius, owned by his long-time supporter Martin Tedham, after the third-last fence.
He rode a total of 670 British jumps winners plus two in Ireland, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Rolling Aces in a Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal in November 2013, as well as a winner on the Flat when successful in a jump jockeys’ race at Goodwood in 2018.
He rode a total of 670 British jumps winners plus two in Ireland, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Rolling Aces in a Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal in November 2013, as well as a winner on the Flat when successful in a jump jockeys’ race at Goodwood in 2018.
He revealed that he would be taking out a trainer’s licence, based near Bath., having already completed his training modules. He aimed to begin his new career by the end of 2025.
He revealed that he would be taking out a trainer’s licence, based near Bath., having already completed his training modules. He aimed to begin his new career by the end of 2025.
Major wins include
Major wins include
2012: Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase – Hunt Ball
2012: Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase – Hunt Ball
2013: Tolworth Hurdle – Melodic Rendezvous
2013: Tolworth Hurdle – Melodic Rendezvous
2013: Powers Irish Whiskey Chase – Rolling Aces
2013: Powers Irish Whiskey Chase – Rolling Aces
2014: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Irving
2014: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Irving
2015: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Qualando
2015: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Qualando
2016: Finale Juvenile Hurdle – Adrien Du Pont
2016: Finale Juvenile Hurdle – Adrien Du Pont
2017: Maghull Novices’ Chase – San Benedeto
2017: Maghull Novices’ Chase – San Benedeto
2021: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Sky Pirate
2021: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Sky Pirate
2023: Betfair Hurdle – Aucunrisque
2023: Betfair Hurdle – Aucunrisque
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