Lack of staff forces John Nicholson to quit training ranks in Ireland

John Nicholson has reluctantly ended his training career due to a shortage of staff at his yard in Tipperary.

Horses have been in the Nicholson family for over 50 years but an ongoing struggle to attract staff has forced the 65-year-old to close his stable.

Nicholson, best known for his training of Mutare, Great Oak and more recently Ask Susan, will remain in racing and has taken up a role with Keith and Marshall Watson.

He explained: "I just can’t get staff. There are a couple of big yards near me and I can’t compete with them. I had one girl contact me from England, but she couldn’t ride horses, so that wasn’t going to suit.”

Nicholson added: “I was going to pack it in last year but I had a couple of nice horses so I struggled on for the year. It was just impossible to keep it going. I'm 66 next week and I got my hips replaced a couple of years ago so I couldn't ride out myself. I'm at the wrong end of the age scale.

“I'd be very pally with Keith and Marshall Watson and I'll be representing them at some of the southern meetings and I'll continue to breed a few. I was at Naas on Sunday for them and I enjoyed it.”

Ask Susan (red) one of John Nicholson's best horses in recent yearsCredit: Alain Barr

Nicholson’s father Tom owned and bred the Paddy Mullins-trained Vulpine, winner of the 1967 Irish Grand National. Tom later went on to take out his own licence and is remembered as the man who trained triple Irish Cesarewitch winner Bigaroon in the 1970s.

A former amateur rider who rode over 20 winners, John took over the licence from his father and admits he had no trouble getting horses, but a lack of staff drove him over the edge.

He said: “I loved training and I didn't want to quit but it just wasn't feasible anymore. I had great owners, never had a problem getting paid, but I told them all six months ago to make other arrangements. I could have got some lads in to ride at 2pm after they’d finished in the bigger yards but I couldn’t work that way.”

Asked for his career highlight, he added: “We enjoyed some great days. Another Batt was the best horse I ever trained and we'd some great days with Knockcroghery, who won six times for us.

"The best day I ever had in racing came when we won a little race in Musselburgh with Nora Batt a couple of seasons back. I got a great kick out of that.

“I spoke to Willie Mullins at the races on Sunday and he said he was sorry to hear I was retiring and Patrick Mullins sent me a text as well, which I thought was classy.”

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards