He has trained over 2000 winners including 47 at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival and has twice been champion trainer.
In 1992 he moved to Seven Barrows with its private gallops which have produced so many historic winners in the past.
Nicky Henderson has been one of the top National Hunt trainers since he started training in 1978 having been assistant to the illustrious Fred Winter. He has trained over 2000 winners in England and a total of 47 winners at the Cheltenham Festival including 5 Champion Hurdles, 2 Queen Mother Champion Chases and 1 Gold Cup.
He has also won many other major races including the Whitbread Gold Cup, 4 Tote Gold Trophies at Newbury, the King George and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
He now trains over 150 horses at his Lambourn base and the stable goes from strength to strength, the highlight of last season being 7 Cheltenham Festival winners and 6 Aintree winners.
Seven Barrows,
Lambourn, Berkshire RG17 8UH.
Tel: 01488 72259
Fax: 01488 72596
Email: nj.henderson@virgin.net
website: address to follow
Horses: 175
Training Fees: £322 per week plus extras
Another great performance of Sprinter Sacre. Barry has worked hard this time, but considering the heavy track and courageous race a fantastic Sizing Europe, the work done at Cheltenham and Aintree, Sprinter is confirmed Frankel obstacles. Congratulations Nicky.
Hi Nicky
What are the plans for Oscar Whisky next season. Will he be going novice chasing?
Thanks
Hello, mr Henderson,
Thank you so much for a very imformative and jolly talk today .The horses looked superb and are a great credit to you and your team.I don’t think people realise what avery noble gesture it is for you to allow 200 hundred people loose on your premises when so much is at stake. It was a delightful morning and I am sure much enjoyed by all.
Regards ,
Celia Gosling
Well done for My Tent or Yours and Minella for fitness yesterday I new the latter could win at a nice price. I like the look of Utopia Des Boardes today has a good profile leading up to cheltenham. Gonna perm with Overturn who can be forgiven for cheltenham and finally the mighty Solwhit could do a Big Bucks have a great Grand National Day.
Fantastic stuff at Aintree topped by Sprinter Sacre well done Nicky and all at Seven Barrows.
Like most fans the first concern was that nothing would go wrong and Sprinter would come home safe and sound.
As it turned out there was never a moments worry but one has to admit it is so much easier to watch the replay than the live version.
I thought I was worried until I saw a replay of you Nicky as Sprinter came to the last.
I think next time he runs fans who saw the expressions on your face will be more concerned about you falling over than Sprinter Sacre LOL
Take care and well done
Hello Nicky, congratulations on your victory number ten with Sprinter Sacre!
horseracingworld.info (italian site specialized on turf UK and Ire)
Looking at the aintree cards thursday, Rolling Star and Captain Conan deserve another chance to win. I also think Silvinaco Conti could win and The New One as the horses profile is better than Grandouet and Oscar whisky’s . On friday My Tent Or Yours and Sprinter Sacre could oblige along with Dynaste and At Fishers Cross.If these eight horses win maybe i will retire hope you have a good aintree.
Thank you so much but I am afraid we are very superstitious about having horses painted while they are still racing!
Oscar Whisky seems fine and will run in the Aintree Hurdle this Thursday, so fingers crossed he can emulate last year’s sucess!
Hi Mr Henderson
Looking forward to Aintree. How is Grandouet after the fall? I do think the horse is class and will be supporting him at Aintree. I also like Tetlami another faller, any news?
You maybe don’t know but Bobs Worth entered a very exclusive club with his victory having been off the course for so long, this only being bettered by the manner of his victory after looking out of it 3 out! A credit to you and Mr Geraghty.
I don’ t know how you cope at Cheltenham I was on the course for 3 days and completely exhausted by end of play on the Friday.
Good luck
Mark
hello nicky what a wonderfull chelt/ but please how is oscar whisky i love that horse he has been v/good to me it was not nice to see him sulk please back to 2m and a half p/s champion trainer ?/?
I have just finished a painting of Bob’s Worth winning at Cheltenham.It was such an amazing race that it captured my imagination so I had to paint it!! Please have a look and because I have a big art exhibition coming up where it will be hanging and obviously as it is still fresh in people’s minds and very much the talk around Gloucestershire I wanted to give you the opportunity to possibly acquire it as an original. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.
Very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
Kind regards
Caroline Green
hi nicky well done with simonsig sprinter sacre and bobs worth at cheltenham i was on all 3 ante post . is there any chance simonsig will run in the king george?
A little bit of a dissapointing show this cheltenham 2013 I know bobsworth sprinter sacre and simonsig obliged but the prices were very short from an average punters point of view. Very surprised that river maigue, chatterbox, utopia des boardes,vasco du ronceray,oscar whisky, rolling star une artiste ma filleule surely one of these could land a place. I cant remember the last time you never had a hurdle winner at the festival? I know MY TENT OR YOURS came second out of the hurdlers but was a little bemused about the riding tactics as he seems like a natural speedy front runner. Long run raced like a sitting duck second string pace maker in the gold cup and was at a disadvantage purely from the make up of the race, i m sure if he sat off the pace he would have finished a lot nearer, and deserves more credit than to be ridden like that Paul nichols managed 1 winner in the last race so between the two big guns fighting it out for the title you managed 5 wins between you for about 35 or more runners a strike rate of roughly 14 percent,take a tip from willie mullins who had about five winners on the first day and dont just run horses for the sake of a cheltenham entry ?
Hi Nicky,
Where do you start to praise a horse like Sprinter Sacre? Awesome, Scary, Brilliant ? Take your pick he is all of those and more. When I was a young man the Mighty Arkle was my hero and every time he ran and it was on TV the entire street where I lived came to a grinding halt.
Having come through the Arkle era finding a replacement was near on impossible. Horses like Pendil, Captain Christie, The novices Nick Dundee and Killiney , Best Mate etc., were all ypclass animals but none of them caught the imagination like the great horse did.
Then came the brilliant Kauto Star and within a few season was being hailed as the best since Arkle a deserved accolade bestowed upon him even by some of the most ardent Denman fans.
I have waited over 40 years to see the best since Arkle, a horse good enough to call a real champion and Kauto was certainly that. After waiting such a long time I certainly did not expect that I’d be blown away so soon by another amazing horse.
The difference this time is I can’t say from my heart he’s the best I’ve seen since Arkle.
What I can say is he’s the best I have seen Arkle included imo. You my friend are in charge of a phenomenon.
His performance in yesterday’s QMCC was simply unreal. He’s kicked aside one of the best 2 milers in years like he was a novice miles out of his depth.
When I watched Arkle as a kid he always jumped well and on occasions he’d put in a really spectacular jump and draw gasps of sheer amazement from the crowd but Sprinter Sacre is doing that 4 and 5 times every time he runs.
He now has an OR of 188 I’m told. If The Victor Chandler was still a handicap he’d make a complete mockery of that mark. In Reality he’s 198+ rated horse if he did run in a handicap I doubt if the current weight span would bring he and any other horse together Simonsig perhaps being an exception.
I’d like to thank you for giving us Sprinter Sacre and may you and he remain in the best of health for many years to come.
I’d love to see him run in a King George in a couple of years time when he learns to settle better but no matter what you decide it will do for me.
All the best of luck for the Gold Cup. Doesn’t look a vintage year so I am siding with Long Run and Sam to win the day.
All The Best
George
Hi nicky after watching MY TENT OR YOURS win so impressively last month i m convinced thats the best horse in the first race at cheltenham .you have two or three selections in the race whats your opinion ? ps hope youself Barry Geraghty and AP and connections have an amazing 4 days all the best John
Thanks so much Saul, very kind.
Very many thanks, much appreciated. Spirit Son is doing well but sadly I dont think he will race again, but like you say, his welfare is so important.
Thank you for your sympathy. Well, Bobs Worth is favourite but they are both in fantastic form so we really cant say. Fingers crossed they both get there in great shape…good luck!
Gosh that is a good story about Classified, I am so sorry we dont have any photogs but I am sure if you contact one of the racecourse photographers they may have one in their archive. Thanks re. Darlan, he so did not deserve that…
Hope you saw Minella Forfitness win yesterday, the build up to Cheltenham is on!
Fingers crossed for Bobs Worth! I am afraid the partnership is fully subscribed. Chatterbox is in the Supreme and the Neptune but no decision at the moment.
Good luck and thank you for your interest.
Hi Nicky …
1st of all – condolences for the team with the Darlan
Cheltenham comes round again & your team is looking as good as last year
I am a Big follower of your horses wherever they may run – & I’m having a good season
I’m a Massive fan of Bobs worth – I think he is 1 in a million & will take all the beating when ever he turns up for the next 3/4 years – he’s going to be a Legend
I was interested to hear your comments on another Horse I’d recognised as an unbelievable talent in the Bobs worth category / Chatterbox!!
Also runs under the “Not afraid partnership” colours..
Is The Not afraid partnership “closed” or is it possible to join??
They seem to be very lucky… Lol – as they own the 1 horse I haves raved about for 2 years & now Chatterbox is turning me into a Chatterbox
Is Chatterbox being aimed @ the festival this year?? He would be a very interesting runner – the 2 races he is entered in are both very warm indeed but as u say ” he is so like Bobs its untrue” he travels / he quickens / but his WILL TO DO is why he’s guna be another “Bobs” legend…. Hopefully.
I like my ante post betting – & Nicky … You have been Imperious in that sphere 4 me
How u got Bobs in that form to Cheltenham last year is genius – & now I’m excited about the Chatterbox … Will he run – if it’s 70/30 to run then I’d be happy with your “guess” as to which race he’d go 4 – I’d love to back him for either – I couldn’t think of a better name for his owners..
As for Bob – I’m guna love watching that Gold Cup this year… There’s nothing out there he won’t pick up & carry up that Famous hill ;o)
My Hat is off to you Mr Henderson & your whole team!!
Best of Luck & may u outdo last year
Adam
Hi nicky it would be great to see minella forfitness at ascot along with river maigue these look like exciting hurdlers and look the best of the ascot entries this saturday, well done for last week end. My tent or yours clearly is not a handicapper more like a ferrari. ROLL ON CHELTENHAM
Hi Nicky
First of all I would like to offer my condolences to you and your team on the recent Loss of a fantastic talent, Darlan, it was a sad day for all race lovers. The reason why I am contacting you is because my father was a part owner of a horse trained by you in the 80′s called classified it was 5 th in the national in 85 and 3rd in 86, my father is due to retire this year and I was wondering if you had any photos of his horse which I could purchase as a retirement gift. He loves talking of the times he was involved with classified and speaks vey highly of you and the way you conduct yourself both inside and outside of racing. I am a son trying to give my father a retirement gift to remember and your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Nicky
Paul
Darlan was a true champion 2mile hurdler i ll always have happier memories of the way he won at kempton boxing day. Miss you darlan.
Firstly, my deepest sympathies to yourself, AP, JP and all of your team in respect to Darlan, a potential superstar that I’m sure you will all miss dearly.
I wish you the best of luck and hope that you have a wonderful festival.
If you were to put be on the spot, (out of earshot from the owners!!) between Bobs Worth and Long Run, who do you think has the best chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup?!
Best wishes
Mark
sorry about darlan nicky, have a gr8 chelt, hope they all come back safe and sound, sorry about the bad news, saul.
Would like to say my thought are with you and everyone connected with darlan. Why is it the good ones as you pointed out. He had the world at his feet and it was a horrible sight to see him fall like that. He was a truly spectacular horse and will always be considered a champion. Now let’s hope your horses have a spectacular Cheltenham and more importantly a safe one. Hopefully spirit son is ok after reading your article on him, the horses welfare is a 1000 times more important than any race but you and your owners already know that. One last thing ap is a true racing great and anyone trying to blame him want to take a look at themselves
R.I.P Darlan
Hello Nicky
Would just like to offer my condolences to you and the team, so sad to lose a potentially great horse in Darlan
Horrific the way it happened, but as they say that’s racing
So wonderful but So Cruel at times
A P &J P are true horse people and I feel so sad for then, buy they will be back at the races tommorow regardless
Chin up and have a great Cheltenham and may they all come back safe and sound
Best wishes Neil Neighbour
One horse I have waited forever to hear something about is the lovely Mono Man!
What happened to him?
Hi Nicky,
I’ve followed you ever since you had ‘See you then’ what a fantastic career you’ve had and provided me with many winners, thank you. I ‘ve had ‘Gibb river’ in the 10 to follow, is he injured or out for the season?
Many thanks.
Rob.
Hi, I am just wondering what’s up with shakalakaboomboom at the moment? I see he’s not in the 84 entrants for the grand national this year and I was really keen to see him in it this year as he jumped the fences as good as any horse in last years’ renewal. Thanks.
Darrell.
Hi Nicky,
Noticed there was no Shakalakaboomboom amongst the Grand National entries. What is the plan for him this season and the future? Thought he looked a very exciting prospect last season and travelled very well over the big fences.
Regards
Greg
Hi Nicky,
Does Captain Conan definitely run at Sandown on Saturday?
Thanks,
Karl
hi is it possible for an update on spirit son
Hi Mr Henderson,
Firstly would like to congratulate you on an excellent season so far and wish you best of luck at the Cheltenham Festival.
Two questions from me if you don’t mind- both centred around Simonsig.
1) What was the deciding factor in cracking on over fences with him as opposed to a tilt at a Champion Hurdle, especially with the Neptune often being a strong Champion Hurdle ‘trial’, if you will?
2) Secondly, I have seen a horse in Ireland in Gigginstown colours called UN ATOUT, who reminds me so much of Simonsig in the sense that he appears to have an extremely high cruising speed, but still looks to have not got out of first gear at the end of 2 miles. What was the deciding factor in Simonsigs 2012 Festival when opting for the Neptune over the Supreme?
I am convinced you did the right thing, and I also think Un Atout should follow your lead. I’m fascinated to hear your opinion on this.
Kind Regards and thanks so much for listening,
-Liam
Hello
Is Spirit Son still in training and how is he doing?
Hi,
Great news on Grandouet thank you.
I was kind of bored with all this snow wrecking the racing programs and decided to watch as many of your horses on videos as I could.
Watching Sprinter Sacre is a joy to behold, he really is something else and sort of makes everything else look a bit ordinary.
Not that they are by any stretch of the imagination.
One horse who impressed me a lot was Tistory who looks a proper horse. So I looked him up and saw that you spoke very highly of him.
I haven’t noticed any entries for him this season is everything ok with him?
Regards
George
I have always liked your horse Oscar Whisky, if the Cleeve Hurdle goes ahead and you find that the horse does not stay, will you then run Oscar Whisky in the Champion Hurdle on G/Sft ground? In my opinion the Champion Hurdle would be set up for Oscar Whisky, I would think he would get an easy lead and they would not get to him, up the hill, similar race to last year (Rock On Ruby/Overturn). Horses that stay well have a good record. Maybe perfect age for Champion? Before age creeps in and he looses that extra gear. Calculating the gap between the first Tuesday and Aintree Hurdle work out to 25 days, could both be possible?
Hi Nicky,
Where will Finians Rainbow run next? Also which is his target for the festival, i think he dosnt get the recognition he deserves!!
Kind regards,
Daniel