Galloping Wisdom from Football’s Finest…
Champion horse trainer Paul Nicholls got a real nugget of wisdom from none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United legend who has swapped spotting football talent for four-legged wonders. With over 30 horses now keeping him busy, Fergie’s gone hooves over heels into racing. The duo, armed with years of experience and a side of Scottish grit, has formed an inseparable bond, swapping sports tips like some trade rare football cards.
Nicholls revealed the golden advice that helped him jump some of career’s highest hurdles. “Sir Alex is a winner; you don’t dish out advice to him, really, unless it’s on placing a bet!” chuckled Nicholls. “Once, during a pesky jockey conundrum, he simply said, ‘Make the tough calls. Any decision is better than none.’ Note: This advice is best used on matters of the racecourse, not when deciding what takeaway to order on Friday night.
In a classic case of wise Fergie words in action, Nicholls took the plunge in 2018, picking young champ Harry Cobden over Sam Twiston-Davies as his go-to jockey. “It wasn’t easy,” Nicholls recalled, “but Fergie said, ‘Do what you must. Tough calls now will earn respect later.’ And, hey, at least the horses don’t argue back!” Tune into Betfair’s Racing… Only Bettor podcast for a dash of Cheltenham fun and more wild stories!
