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Nigel Delfosse Tinkler was born at Harrogate on 28 February 1958, the son of amateur rider and trainer Colin Tinkler Snr.
Nigel Delfosse Tinkler was born at Harrogate on 28 February 1958, the son of amateur rider and trainer Colin Tinkler Snr.
Like his elder brother Colin, Nigel started out as an amateur rider. In fact, he made his debut when only 12 years old on Philip in the historic Newmarket Town Plate, riding alongside his mother Marie.
Like his elder brother Colin, Nigel started out as an amateur rider. In fact, he made his debut when only 12 years old on Philip in the historic Newmarket Town Plate, riding alongside his mother Marie.
He rode in that race twice and had a few rides in point-to-points before making his debut under rules less than two months after his 15th birthday on Nimble Joe, trained by his father, in a Wetherby selling hurdle race on Easter Monday, 23 April 1973. Having led to the second last flight, they faded to finish fifth of the nine runners.
He rode in that race twice and had a few rides in point-to-points before making his debut under rules less than two months after his 15th birthday on Nimble Joe, trained by his father, in a Wetherby selling hurdle race on Easter Monday, 23 April 1973. Having led to the second last flight, they faded to finish fifth of the nine runners.
Nimble Joe was also Nigel’s first winner, in the Hardwick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, 26 December 1973, taking the lead at the last flight and going on to score by two lengths. Fifteen minutes later, brother Colin rode Ken Oliver’s chaser Prize Crew to victory at Wetherby to make it a proper family celebration.
Nimble Joe was also Nigel’s first winner, in the Hardwick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, 26 December 1973, taking the lead at the last flight and going on to score by two lengths. Fifteen minutes later, brother Colin rode Ken Oliver’s chaser Prize Crew to victory at Wetherby to make it a proper family celebration.
By the age of 16 Nigel had ridden winners on the Flat, over hurdles and fences. He turned professional in the 1975/76 season and went on to ride more than 200 winners, his most important success being gained on No Bombs in the 1979 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.
By the age of 16 Nigel had ridden winners on the Flat, over hurdles and fences. He turned professional in the 1975/76 season and went on to ride more than 200 winners, his most important success being gained on No Bombs in the 1979 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.
In 1982 Nigel took over his father’s training operation, based at Boltby, in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire. He married jockey Kim Spink in 1985. They would have two children, a daughter named Amy and a son named Lewis.
In 1982 Nigel took over his father’s training operation, based at Boltby, in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire. He married jockey Kim Spink in 1985. They would have two children, a daughter named Amy and a son named Lewis.
For a time, Nigel trained and rode his own horses, retiring from the latter in 1989 to concentrate entirely on training, having by then relocated to his present base, Woodland Stables at Langton, near Malton.
For a time, Nigel trained and rode his own horses, retiring from the latter in 1989 to concentrate entirely on training, having by then relocated to his present base, Woodland Stables at Langton, near Malton.
He has since trained well over 1,000 winners, including two at the Cheltenham Festival: The Ellier in the 1987 Kim Muir Challenge Cup and Sacre D’Or in the 1993 Mildmay of Flete Chase.
He has since trained well over 1,000 winners, including two at the Cheltenham Festival: The Ellier in the 1987 Kim Muir Challenge Cup and Sacre D’Or in the 1993 Mildmay of Flete Chase.
He has also trained Group race winners on the Flat and won many prestigious handicaps. Rodeo Star achieved big race success under both codes, winning the 1992 Tote Gold Trophy Hurdle at Newbury and the 1993 Chester Cup. He trained Sugarfoot to win nine races including two Doncaster Group 3s, Listed races at York and Ascot, and three valuable York handicaps.
He has also trained Group race winners on the Flat and won many prestigious handicaps. Rodeo Star achieved big race success under both codes, winning the 1992 Tote Gold Trophy Hurdle at Newbury and the 1993 Chester Cup. He trained Sugarfoot to win nine races including two Doncaster Group 3s, Listed races at York and Ascot, and three valuable York handicaps.
Many of Nigel’s winners were for his father’s Full Circle syndicates and were ridden by his wife Kim, who is now a major part of the running of the stables, as well as being a qualified jockey coach.
Many of Nigel’s winners were for his father’s Full Circle syndicates and were ridden by his wife Kim, who is now a major part of the running of the stables, as well as being a qualified jockey coach.
In 2020, Nigel reached new heights, with stable star Ubettabelieveit landing Group 2 glory at Doncaster. Listed scorer Acklam Express was also campaigned with great success on home soil, before a fruitful spell in Dubai.
In 2020, Nigel reached new heights, with stable star Ubettabelieveit landing Group 2 glory at Doncaster. Listed scorer Acklam Express was also campaigned with great success on home soil, before a fruitful spell in Dubai.
In 2021, Nigel recorded his highest yearly tally of winners on the Flat with a score of 41. Highlights included a 65,024-1 across-the-card four-timer at Beverley and Redcar in August.
In 2021, Nigel recorded his highest yearly tally of winners on the Flat with a score of 41. Highlights included a 65,024-1 across-the-card four-timer at Beverley and Redcar in August.
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