National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls in pics (like you might not have seen him before…)

Madeleine Silver's avatar
By
Published In Features
1987-Playschool-1987.jpg
(Image credit: credits-unknown)

To celebrate trainer Paul Nicholls' birthday today (17 April), we've dug deep into the archives to remember some of the big moments from his career. No tweed coat with a velvet collar? Slim fitting breeches? Yes, those early photos really are him...

Broadheath, ridden by Paul Nicholls, takes the last fence and heads to victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury
(Image credit: S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport)

Broadheath, ridden by Paul Nicholls, takes the last fence and heads to victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury

Paul follows up on his 1986 win with another victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1987, this time with Playschool
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Paul follows up on his 1986 win with another victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1987, this time with Playschool

Mick Fitzgerald pilots See More Business to take the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999 — Paul’s first Cheltenahm Gold Cup triumph as a trainer
(Image credit: Unknown)

Mick Fitzgerald pilots See More Business to take the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999 — Paul’s first Cheltenahm Gold Cup triumph as a trainer

Paul’s 1999 Cheltenham Festival was one to remember with Flagship Uberalles taking the The Arkle Trophy (as well as Call Equiname winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase)
(Image credit: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

Paul’s 1999 Cheltenham Festival was one to remember with Flagship Uberalles taking the The Arkle Trophy (as well as Call Equiname winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase)

Paul celebrates Azertyuiop’s 2004 triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase
(Image credit: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

Paul celebrates Azertyuiop’s 2004 triumph in the Queen Mother Champion Chase

Kauto Star takes the first of his two Cheltenham Gold Cups in 2007
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Kauto Star takes the first of his two Cheltenham Gold Cups in 2007

Denman heads for victory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup
(Image credit: www.timeincukcontent.com)

Denman heads for victory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup

… and again. Kauto Star is welcomed into the winner’s enclosure following his 2009 Gold Cup win
(Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS, Trevor Meeks)

… and again. Kauto Star is welcomed into the winner’s enclosure following his 2009 Gold Cup win

A successful 2009 Cheltenham Festival: Master Minded takes the Queen Mother Champion Chase
(Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS, Trevor Meeks)

A successful 2009 Cheltenham Festival: Master Minded takes the Queen Mother Champion Chase

Neptune Collonges wins the long-awaited Grand National title for Paul in 2012
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Neptune Collonges wins the long-awaited Grand National title for Paul in 2012

Silviniaco Conti beats Cue Card to take the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, 2013 (and he repeated the feat the following year)
(Image credit: RACINGFOTOS.COM)

Silviniaco Conti beats Cue Card to take the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, 2013 (and he repeated the feat the following year)

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Madeleine Silver
Madeleine Silver
Former features editor

A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.