Paul nicholls stable news

Leading owner Johnny de la Hey has removed all horses from Paul Nicholls, marking a significant shift in their long-standing partnership. The De La Heys had nearly all their jumps horses with Nicholls since the 2009-10 season, achieving an impressive 19 percent strike rate with 123 winners from 652 runners.

In total, 11 horses left Nicholls’ stable. Seven will now be trained by Dan Skelton, while four will split between Jamie Snowden and Chris Gordon. This decisive moment comes after years of notable successes, including Cyrname’s remarkable victory in the Ascot Chase in 2019 by a staggering 17 lengths.

The impact on both parties is profound. Nicholls expressed disappointment over the loss, stating, “It’s disappointing after all the success we have had together.” He added, “I wish Johnny all the best,” but admitted he found it hard to deal with such changes. “You start asking yourself what you’re doing wrong,” he reflected.

Meanwhile, the De La Heys have enjoyed considerable success under Nicholls’ guidance, amassing over £3.7 million in prize money during their collaboration. However, it remains uncertain how this shift will affect their future performances. Notably, Old Park Star and Kabral Du Mathan both won significant races after leaving Nicholls—Old Park Star claimed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for Nicky Henderson and Kabral Du Mathan triumphed at Cheltenham.

This recent move follows a pattern for Nicholls, who has faced multiple high-profile owners moving their horses recently. As the landscape of jumps racing evolves, the ramifications of such changes could reshape training strategies across the board.