Nicholls 150th Cheltenham Winner

Few trainers can claim 150 winners at one of the UK’s most prestigious racecourses but Paul Nicholls can. On the same day that he announced the sad news that the great Denman would be retiring, he also claimed his 150th win at Cheltenham.

On December 9th, 2011, the horse in question was Oscargo and with Ruby Walsh on board, he took the champion trainer to the milestone with a nine-length success in the Citipost Handicap Hurdle.

On his own website, he wrote “It seems to be a regular Monday headline for me on the website but I had yet another memorable weekend, this time at Cheltenham as the milestones seem to keep coming my way during what has so far been a remarkable season. It started on Friday with the big news that Denman had suffered a set back in training and with time not on his side any more the decision was made for us all that he will now be retired.

“With an outpouring at Prestbury Park of interviews and reaction to the news it was good to acknowledge the old horse by recording a victory later in the afternoon with Oscargo and that victory took me to 150 wins as a trainer at Cheltenham. A milestone I share with only three others – Martin Pipe, Fulke Walwyn and Fred Rimell. To be associated with names like that makes me feel very proud.”