Jockey Ryan Nichol to quit the saddle to become a funeral director

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

Watch how Ryan Nichol revealed on Racing UK that is to stop riding to become a funeral director

Jockeys quit racing for a variety of different jobs but it is long odds that few have opted for the new career path chosen by Ryan Nichol.

The amateur rode a winner at Hamilton on Thursday night and then revealed on Racing UK that he was retiring from the the saddle to become a funeral director in his home town of Hawick.

“I’ve been offered a job funeral directoring,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a change but I suppose everything comes to an end doesn’t it?” the 25-year-old said, without intending a hint of irony in the last part of his sentence.

“It’s a little bit different, but I did a bit last summer. You can never say you enjoy it, but it’s alright. I’m getting old now so I have to move on and see what happens.”

Nichol partnered Donnachies Girl, the 5-2 favourite, to victory at Hamilton for Alistair Whillans even though he had to opt for Plan B. “I did the complete opposite to what I was told to do, but luckily it worked out,” he said.

This month, Nichol, the brother of champion conditional Craig, also won a long-distance hurdle race aboard Kalaharry at Hexham.

Famously, James Doyle considered enrolling on a course to become a plumber before his career took a dramatic turn for the better. Last week he rode two Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot aboard Big Orange and Barney Roy.

For Nichol, the finishing post will take on a very different meaning in future.