‘It left a massive hole in my life’ - Paul Nicholls opens up on death of his ‘mentor, friend and adviser’

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Paul Nicholls has opened up about the death of his great friend Paul Barber, saying it left a “massive hole in my life” that also played a part in the body blow this summer when two sets of major owners took their horses away from Nicholls and into rival yards.

The 14-time champion trainer was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday’s newspaper in which he reflected on past King George successes, the disappointment of not having a runner for this year’s race and the shock of seeing exciting youngsters like Kabral Du Mathan and Old Park Star not returned to his Ditcheat yard in July.

Nicholls believes that wouldn’t have happened had Barber, who gave the trainer his big opportunity when selecting him to train from Manor Farm Stables and subsequently owned his first King George winner, See More Business, in 1997, still been around. Barber died in June 2023, aged 80. 

Old Park Star (green and blue) is now trained by Nicky HendersonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"The last two years without him have been hard," said Nicholls. "He was a mentor, friend and adviser. Whenever I had a problem, I could talk to him. I can nearly guarantee you if Paul had been alive I wouldn't have lost the [Neil and Alfie] Smith and [Gordon and Su] Hall horses. He was a peacemaker and all my owners liked him. I had a few spats with Clive Smith, God rest his soul, but Paul sorted things out.”

Even now, though, Nicholls still finds solace in talking to Barber.

He added: "When I've had tough times, I've often gone up to Paul's grave to have a chat with him. Sometimes I've been there with his son Chris. When we're getting stressed we meet up for a pint in the pub and then have a chat with Paul.

"He was a wise man who loved the sport and loved what we achieved for him. He was such a big part of what I did. His death left a massive hole in my life."

Read more from Paul Nicholls in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday.

Read more . . .

'Life for me will never be the same without him' - racing says farewell to Denman owner Paul Barber 

'Nothing is certain or imminent' - Kempton manager's message to racegoers over track's future, with Christmas sales ahead of last year 

'I would be first in the queue' - Paul Nicholls throws his support behind Nicky Henderson's campaign to save Kempton 

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