Frenchie Nicholson

1913 - 1984

Herbert Charles Denton Nicholson's father was Master of the Pay Foxhounds; his son was the top jockey and trainer David, known as The Duke.

'Frenchie' was born at Maltby, Yorkshire, on January 13, 1913.

He was first apprenticed at Chantilly; this is from where he derived his nickname. He came to England and worked for Stanley Wootton, whose training methods stood Frenchie in good stead for the rest of his life.

He became a National Hunt jockey of great style and the highest class. The best horse he rode was undoubtedly Golden Miller.

He won the 1942 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Medoc ll, the 1936 Champion Hurdle on Victor Norman and the 1947 Imperial Cup on Tant Pis.

In 1944-45, he shared the Jockeys' Championship with Fred Rimell.

Frenchie turned his attention to training just after the war and, from his Sandford Dene, Prestbury stable he also turned out an amazing number of outstanding young jockeys including Paul Cook, Tony Murray, Pat Eddery, Walter Swinburn, Tim Holland-Martin and Brough Scott.

He died at Cheltenham on 27 April, 1984, aged 71.