‘A once in 10 years event’: top trainer forced to evacuate horses as river bursts its banks

Multiple champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls was forced to evacuate some horses from his yard after it flooded last night (4 January).

Heavy rain fell at his base in Ditcheat, Somerset, meaning six horses in his Highbridge yard had to be moved to safety at 9.30pm.

“It’s a once in a 10- or 12-year event – I’d never seen rain like it or so much water on the roads as I did last night,” said Paul. “We are near to the River Alham and when everything backs up, and the river bursts its banks, that yard ends up flooding.

“Thankfully all the water has cleared now and everything is good this morning. The horses are back in their original stables, all the horses are fine, as are the gallops, and it is just a temporary blip.”

Paul’s assistant trainer Charlie Davies said: “The heavy rain caused a few issues last night in Ditcheat. At 9.30 pm we had to evacuate six horses from our Highbridge yard. Thankfully all the horses are good this morning, the gallops handled the rain well and we were able to exercise all the horses as usual.”

So far this season, Nicholls has trained 69 winners from the 290 runners he has sent out. He is operating at a 24% strike rate and has won £1,546,204.

You might also be interested in:

‘She calls him Pegasus’: fan favourite bows out for a retirement of fun on Dartmoor

‘Beyond anything you’d ever dream of’: the top young trainer you need on your radar for 2024 and beyond, who has enjoyed a sensational run of form

‘It’s amazing’: daughter of champion trainer successfully embarks on her own training career

Subscribe to Horse & Hound this spring for great savings

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.