Newcastle double sees Nicky Richards celebrate landmark win

Nicky Richards has thanked the “superstar” owners who have stuck by him after passing 1,000 career winners with a double at Newcastle.

Having taken over the reins at the historic Greystoke yard after the death of his father Gordon in 1998, Richards has been a staple of the northern racing scene for approaching three decades.

On reaching the landmark, the Cumbria handler was keen to praise those who have supported both him and his late father, who as well as winning the Grand National twice, also oversaw the career of the ever-popular One Man during his own decorated career in the training ranks.

Richards said: “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.

“All of this probably wouldn’t have happened without Mr and Mrs David Stevenson from Ashleybank Investments (founders of Edinburgh Woollen Mill). They were great supporters of my father and then backed me from day one and if it wasn’t for them then things would have been a lot harder.

“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.”

Richards, whose own catalogue of top-class talent includes Aintree specialist Monet’s Garden, had been stranded on 999 for 18 days before finally reaching four figures courtesy of 5-2 chance Jehol De Thaix in the opening Equine Products NH Trainers League Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

However, he quickly made it 1001, when 7-4 favourite Smokeringinthedark, fittingly owned by long-time supporter Eddie Melville landed the Border Minstrel New Menu Handicap Hurdle.

“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.

“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.

“I’ve had a lot of lovely quality horses like Monet’s Garden who was a super horse and then we’ve had the likes of Turpin Green and Simply Ned who we used to take over to Ireland, he was a fantastic horse and we had a lot of fun for some fantastic people. They’ve allowed me to train some top horses.”