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Graham Vere Nicoll
Graham Vere Nicoll
1940 - 2023
1940 - 2023
Graham Morison Vere Nicoll was born on November 9, 1940, the son of Lt-Col Henry Morison Vere Nicoll and his wife Joan. He was educated at Eastbourne College and the Royal Military College Sandhurst before joining the Welsh Guards, with whom he gained the rank of Captain.
Graham Morison Vere Nicoll was born on November 9, 1940, the son of Lt-Col Henry Morison Vere Nicoll and his wife Joan. He was educated at Eastbourne College and the Royal Military College Sandhurst before joining the Welsh Guards, with whom he gained the rank of Captain.
He held the office of Extra Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1968. That same year he won Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup at his first attempt, riding his own horse Ballyverine, who was trained for him by Ken Cundell at Compton. They made all the running, surviving a mistake at the second last fence and going on to win by 12 lengths from the grey Airtight, partnered by his owner, Major Tony Gilks.
He held the office of Extra Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1968. That same year he won Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup at his first attempt, riding his own horse Ballyverine, who was trained for him by Ken Cundell at Compton. They made all the running, surviving a mistake at the second last fence and going on to win by 12 lengths from the grey Airtight, partnered by his owner, Major Tony Gilks.
Captain Vere Nicoll rode Ballyverine in the following year’s Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing third, beaten six lengths, behind two well above-average horses in Charles Dickens and The Fossa. They were the only two occasions on which he rode in the race.
Captain Vere Nicoll rode Ballyverine in the following year’s Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing third, beaten six lengths, behind two well above-average horses in Charles Dickens and The Fossa. They were the only two occasions on which he rode in the race.
On Tuesday, March 31, 1970 Captain Vere Nicoll rode Ballyverine to win the Sir Geoffrey Congreve Cup Hunters’ Chase at Uttoxeter, beating the odds-on favourite Indamelia, ridden by Captain Brian Fanshawe, by a length.
On Tuesday, March 31, 1970 Captain Vere Nicoll rode Ballyverine to win the Sir Geoffrey Congreve Cup Hunters’ Chase at Uttoxeter, beating the odds-on favourite Indamelia, ridden by Captain Brian Fanshawe, by a length.
He left the army later that year and became pupil assistant to Harry Thomson (Tom) Jones at Newmarket. He rode just one other winner over jumps, on another of his horses, Jenny’s Dot, trained by Thomson Jones, in the Empress Elizabeth of Austria Hunters’ Chase at Towcester on Whit Monday, May 31, 1971. His racing colours were black, green hoops, white sleeves, red cap.
He left the army later that year and became pupil assistant to Harry Thomson (Tom) Jones at Newmarket. He rode just one other winner over jumps, on another of his horses, Jenny’s Dot, trained by Thomson Jones, in the Empress Elizabeth of Austria Hunters’ Chase at Towcester on Whit Monday, May 31, 1971. His racing colours were black, green hoops, white sleeves, red cap.
Graham Vere Nicoll died on February 12, 2023, aged 82.
Graham Vere Nicoll died on February 12, 2023, aged 82.
He was married four times, firstly to Lucinda Gurney (they had one son, Simon); secondly to Jane Kidd; thirdly to Jacqueline Bray (one son, Harry); and lastly to Sally Anderton (two daughters, Poppy and Rose).
He was married four times, firstly to Lucinda Gurney (they had one son, Simon); secondly to Jane Kidd; thirdly to Jacqueline Bray (one son, Harry); and lastly to Sally Anderton (two daughters, Poppy and Rose).
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