Nicky Henderson

Nicholas John Henderson is a four-time British jump racing Champion trainer, who has enjoyed five decades of success in horse racing.

The renowned trainer is the son of Johnny Henderson, one of the founders of the Racecourse Holdings Trust. Eton-educated Nicky began his career as an amateur jockey before becoming assistant trainer to National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer, Fred Winter in 1984.

Four years later he set up his own training stables at Seven Barrows in Lambourn, Berkshire. His career highlights include winning The Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1992 with Remittance Man and three-time Champion Hurdle winner, See You Then who won from 1985-1987. Henderson was named Champion trainer twice and has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, first with Long Run in 2011 and then Bobs Worth in 2013. The trainer has become synonymous with Cheltenham with only one other active trainer, Willie Mullins, won more races at the legendary track. 

 

One of his best known horses was the hugely popular Caracciola. The mainly National Hunt horse was a 50/1 outsider when he pulled off a shock win the Cesarewitch Handicap flat race at Newmarket in 2008. He followed that success with a win in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009. 

 

It hasn’t all been glory for Henderson though, in 2009 he was fined a record £40,000 and banned from running horses for three months after a prohibited anti-bleeding drug was found in the blood of Moonlit Path, a mare he trains for the Queen.