One of the stalwarts of the northern racing scene celebrated a huge milestone on Tuesday. Nicky Richards sent out his 1000th winner as a trainer courtesy of Jehol De Thaix. For good measure, he sent out a 1001st just 90 minutes later.
Richards has been training from his Greystoke base in Cumbria for 28 years since the death of his father Gordon. His dad was one of the powerhouses of the training game throughout his career, handling two Grand National winners. He also trained the famous grey One Man, a Queen Mother Champion Chase and King George hero.
Since Nicky took over the license, there have still been some significant names to pass through his Cumbrain base. Monet’s Garden was another galloping grey, who excelled at Aintree, getting the better of Kauto Star in one edition of the Old Roan Chase. More recently, Simply Ned regularly downed names from more fated stables in Grade 1 company.
The millennial milestone was brought up in humbler climes on Tuesday. Nevertheless, that figure, as well as the immediate 1001st success, is testament to Richards’ canny handling.
“I’ve trained some lovely horses” – Richards
Both Tuesday victors for Richards were well-backed, suggesting it was the day to bring up the 1000. Jehol De Thaix won despite some sketchy jumping early on the card, with Smokeringinthedark only adding to the sense of jubilation by winning an hour and a hald later.
The milestone only means as much if the winners keep coming though. Richards is hungry for far more, as he explained to the Press Association via Racing TV.
“It’s a good number and we’ve never really been about numbers, we’ve just tried to be about quality and I’ve been lucky, I’ve trained some lovely horses and had a lot of fun doing it.
“I’ve trained for some marvellous people that have stuck by me and let me train their horses. Every single owner has been a superstar for me.”
Speaking of those people, one he credits more than most is Eddie Melville, owner of number 1001 Smokeringinthedark.
“I’ve just trained a winner there for Eddie and he was as good a friend my father had, so it was lovely to have a winner for him here today,” continued Richards. Ever humble, he makes sure to credit all sections of his operation too.
“I couldn’t do anything without having good staff and I’ve always had lovely jockeys as well. So I have to thank everyone, the jockeys, owners, staff, everybody – it’s not a one-man show this game.”