What Trainer is looking good?
Horse jump racing is that rare combination of skill and luck, of endurance and swiftness, of bravado, and cheer. It brings together man, animal and corporations into one thrilling vehicle like no other. No horse rides out alone, no jockey is above his steed and both look to the trainer to guide their skills towards that one pinnacle of greatness atop the podium. And so in honour of these trainers who make the sport the greatness that it is, let’s explore which trainers are looking good for the Cheltenham Festival. Currently the most successful trainers are Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Edward O’Grady.
Nicky Henderson began his career as an amateur jockey before becoming an assistant trainer under the tutelage of Fred Winter. In his illustrious career he has trained over 1000 winners, sharing the limelight with such greats as See You Then, The Tsarevich, Remittance Man and Bachanal. He is the leading current trainer at the festival, with 34 winners to date, since 1985, he had 3 successes in 2009 alone and he’s now on par with Martin Pipe in the list of all time most successful festival trainers. He’s 6 horses behind Fulke Walwyn who sired 40 winners over a 5 decade period. Even though Henderson might be the winningest trainer around today, he’s got stiff competition coming up from the rear. Competition in the form of Paul Nicholls. But before we get to him, let’s discuss the life and work of Edward O’Grady.
Edward O’Grady is arguably Irelands best trainer, his principle jockey is Andrew McNamara. Some say greatness is in ones blood, then perhaps it comes as no surprise that Edward O’Grady’s father Willie O’Grady was a crowned champion jockey and trainer himself. During the 90’s O’Grady eclipsed competitors with Sandman and in more recent years Sky’s the Limit has been his star player but since 2008 there has been very little development, it’s as though his career is at a standstill. Which in the racing business is no way to be.
Paul Nicholls on the other hand is moving forward in his infamous frantic pace. Paul Francis Nicholls is the premier British National Hunt trainer of his generation. An ex jump jockey who turned his passion for the sport into a life time career that has garnered more accolades in 10 short years than most could ever dream of and the impact he has had no the sport is nothing short of stunning.
The man’s got 25 festival wins, 22 in the last 7 years and 5 of which were in 2009. Too many words have been written about this camera friendly, charismatic character, and his record speaks for itself. He is the new golden boy of horse jump racing, a dynamic dynamo who doesn’t mince words but whose silver tongue is charming people across the continent and even the globe. His current best jockey is Ruby Walsh and together makes for an almost unstoppable pair. His most note worthy horses are Denman, Kauto Star, Big Bucks, and American Trilogy all of whom have been top ranking since they first set hooves on the tracks. In the 2005-2006 seasons after a long battle for supremacy Nicholls won a well deserved trainer of the year award. It seems almost shocking that he could have accomplished so much in so little time but this son of a policeman is not coping out any time soon. He’s just at the start of things and on the cusp of legendary greatness. His notoriety is international and if the past is any indication of things to come, we will be seeing a lot more of him in the rankings and in the books for years to come.
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