Former jockey Adam NIcol gets training career off to a flying start

His yard has already had a winner from a handful of runners, with Wise Eagle, imported from the Tom Clover stable, winning at Newcastle in late January and the four-year-old gelding has also been second, twice.

Adam gave up his jockey licence last summer after a series of nasty injuries, this after some top wins in his 15-year career.

He now returns to his ‘roots’ having been born and bred in Seahouses

And it is very much a family concern as the stables are located at Springwood in the village, owned by his parents, where the riding school is based and it is very much a hands-on concern with partner Jen also involved in the day-to-day running.

With Jen due to have their baby at the end of March, a huge asset to the yard is Adam’s sister Sallyanne, who rides out every day.

She is a very experienced rider and a valuable member of the team.

Despite returning from a back injury to ride in the spring of 2020, Nicol decided the time was right to stop riding.

He partnered the now retired Lady Buttons in 12 of her 15 victories – including four at Listed level – during his 15-year riding career.

During that riding career, Nicol worked with many top trainers, the main ones he rode for being Phil Kirby, Mike Sowersby and North Northumberland based Rose Dobbin.

Adam got his training career under way at Hexham on 9th November with Velkera and they currently have four horses in training.

VELKERA – seven-year-old mare previously with trainer Stuart Coltherd, owned by The Seahouses Syndicate.

WISE EAGLE – four-year-old gelding was with Tom Clover, in same ownership as Velkera.

ECONOMIC EDITOR – five-year-old gelding, ex Irish Point-to-Pointer owned by Up4b.

ESPION DE SAFLO – seven-year-old gelding owned by William Muir, previously trained by Garry Moore.

However, there are seven stables currently available.

Nicol is really set to progress and is very enthusiastic saying: “I really enjoy training the horses on the beach, we use Bamburgh which is approximately seven furlongs and Seahouses which is approximately four furlongs.

"We are really lucky to have the use of these. We have turnout at the yard and a ‘Walker’ going in at the beginning of March.

"We have the space for a round gallop in the future if that’s something we think would benefit the horses.

"We also take the horses to a friend’s farm and there’s some fantastic grass land to use and it’s a nice change of scenery for them.

“So far the horses have run well enough. It’s a learning curve with all of them as they’ve all been new to me.

"I couldn’t be happier with Wise Eagle though he’s been a star, second, first time over hurdles, then winning at Newcastle in a jumpers bumper and then followed that up with a good second in another jumpers bumper. We are really looking forward to his next outing."