RACING LAUDS SPRINT-KING NICHOLLS, 61
RACING yesterday paid tribute to ‘Sprint King’ David Nicholls, who died at the age of 61.
Son Adrian (below), who partnered many of Nicholls’ big-race winners, said: “He passed away in his sleep at home.
“There are a few other people snapping at his heels to take the Sprint King title, but they’ll be doing well to do what he did. He was a very good jockey, an even better trainer and an even better dad.”
Nicknamed ‘Dandy’, Nicholls rode 400 winners as a jockey before joining the training ranks in 1992.
Nicholls had a knack with sprinters, winning the Ayr Gold Cup six times and Glorious Goodwood’s Stewards’ Cup on three occasions.
But his talents were not restricted to handicappers. Nicholls achieved Group 1 success when Ya Malak, ridden by wife Alex Greaves — the first woman jockey to triumph at the highest level in Britain — deadheated for the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Further victories in the top tier followed via Continent in the 2002 July Cup at Newmarket and Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, Bahamian Pirate in the 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes, plus Regal Parade in the 2009 Haydock Sprint Cup and 2010 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
But Nicholls, who was due to face trial on two charges of sexual assault in the summer, retired from training in March, citing “financial problems”.
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash expressed himself “very sad”, while Richard Hughes said: “Horseracing has lost a great man and trainer.“