ALL OF Megan Nicholls’ earliest memories revolve around horses – she even admits that if she was stuck on a desert island she’d rather be with them than people.
Perhaps it isn’t surprising considering her pedigree – she’s the daughter of 14 times champion trainer Paul Nicholls who has over 3500 wins to his name.
Though Megan’s own impressive flat racing career – she had 117 wins before retiring in 2022 – should speak for itself, she admits she has been accused of being a nepo baby.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, the 26-year-old says, “I don’t let it worry me.
'NEPO BABY'
“Our family lives and breathes horses, it was hardly surprising I went into the business.
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“I don’t see it as any different to going into any family firm, no one would blink if my dad owned a garage and I became a mechanic.
“He’s helped the most by instilling in me his work ethic and fire in my belly to succeed.
“I’ve seen him over the years always wanting to thrive and get better and he’s passed that on to me, my biggest fault is probably being a perfectionist.”
Megan, who’s currently single having split up with jockey Kevin Stott back in September, is concentrating on her career and Cheltenham Festival is one of the highlights, as she races around, fuelled by black coffee interviewing jockeys and trainers alike, as well as giving her tips.
She arguably has the best training for the job imaginable.
RIDING BEFORE WALKING
She says, “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t ride – I was doing it before I could walk. My days have started at 6am since I was a child.
“I’d get up and go riding before school. I was riding out with the jockeys since I was 13 and my first race was when I was 16. I decided to go into flat racing professionally when I was 17.
“I have to admit my dad thought I was mad, but he soon came round to the idea. I loved every moment of it, though of course you get nervous and fired up with adrenaline.
“Even when I broke my back in a freak accident I wasn’t put off when I was 17 I couldn’t wait to get back into the saddle, which only took about eight weeks.”
And fortunately Megan’s career hasn’t been blighted by the sexism that British Horseracing Authority admits is present in the racing industry.
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Despite competing on equal footing there are only 63 female jockeys compared to 363 males.
Some female jockeys are trolled mercilessly, trainer Jamie Osborne, went public with a shocking message sent to his daughter Saffie, a female jockey, which said, among other things, “die u little b***h”.
Megan says, “I’ve heard of sexism, but I’ve never experienced it and neither have any of my friends.
“On the contrary the camaraderie was amazing between the jockeys, you laugh and joke and then go out there entirely focused on beating everyone.”
If I was stuck on a desert island I’d rather be with horses than people
Megan Nicholls
In 2022 Megan decided to retire from racing and concentrate on her media career as a racing pundit, she’s now a regular for ITV racing.
She says, “I started being offered more opportunities and felt that was where my future lay.
“Starting out was nerve wracking, far more so than racing but now it’s become second nature and I love it, particularly the big festivals like Cheltenham, Aintree and Royal Ascot.
“And I’m lucky because I can still ride out every morning. I love horses, they’ve got their own personalities, they’re non-judgemental, they give unconditional love and affection – they’re incredible animals that I’m lucky to interact with on a daily basis.
“I could have the worst day ever and then see a horse and it will brighten everything up. If I was stuck on a desert island I’d rather be with horses than people.”
THE EQUINE RITZ
Her adoration of all things equine is plain to see and she’s very clear that animal welfare is at the heart of racing.
She says, “Anyone who’s anti-racing should visit a stable. These horses are living in the equine equivalent of the Ritz.
“They are the most spoilt imaginable, they have incredible care and attention. There are equine spas and heat lamps, they see physios, their every need it catered for and they have amazing bonds with the people who look after them.
“And horses are stubborn, you can’t make them race, they did their toes in and say ‘no thank you’ and then they’re retired and do different jobs. Of course vets and the authority are always working on even more improvements to make it safer.”
This week Megan has been thoroughly enjoying the Cheltenham Festival, not least because it combines her other passion – fashion – with horses.
She says, “I do have other interests, I love golf, skiing, sunny holidays and a night out in London at the Chiltern Firehouse with a glass of white wine.
“But it’s hard to beat a big festival. It’s an electric atmosphere. And I love getting dressed up, I’m lucky to work with some amazing designers.
“Though I have learnt to make sure I combine style with warmth and comfortable shoes! I feel quite shocked when I see some of the women coming to the races, in such few clothes and huge shoes, I have no idea how they get through the day.
“Mind you one of the funniest things I’ve seen was an owner, who was wearing high heels.
“One of them snapped off and she was going round the owners’ tent asking if anyone had the same size feet as her, so she could borrow their shoes for 10 minutes so she could go and see her horse.
“But I don’t see many of the drunken antics, I tend to steer away from the rowdy behaviour so I don’t get caught up in it! There’s enough action watching the racing.”
