A New Chapter at Thorndale Farm

Change is on the horizon for the Cotswolds as Kim Bailey prepares to officially add Mat Nicholls, his long-standing assistant, to the training licence at Thorndale Farm. Nicholls, a vital part of Bailey's operation for 16 years, has played a significant role in the success of the Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer.  

Bailey, who reached the remarkable milestone of 1,500 career winners last month when Chianti Classico triumphed at Ascot, had long planned to include Nicholls on the licence once this achievement was met. Reflecting on their journey, Bailey shared that the milestone took longer than anticipated, but the time is now right for this new partnership.  

“Mat’s been by my side for 16 years,” Bailey explained, adding that he had always intended to share the licence once he hit 1,500 wins. Although they had hoped to make this change a year earlier, the delay has not diminished their shared vision for the future.  

Nicholls, who gained valuable experience with trainers such as Nigel Twiston-Davies, Tom George, and Carl Llewellyn before joining Bailey, is well-prepared for this new role. Bailey highlighted that having a younger partner on the licence is a step forward, not only to maintain their established success, but also to attract new owners to the operation.  

While the day-to-day workings at Thorndale Farm will remain largely unchanged, Bailey noted the symbolic importance of having Nicholls' name beside his on the racecard. He admitted that the process of formalising the change has been slowed by bureaucratic hurdles but remains confident that it will soon be official.  

Bailey concluded by affirming the strength of their partnership, saying the transition marks a shared future for both of them. For Bailey and Nicholls, this evolution is less about altering their methods and more about building on the foundation of trust and excellence they’ve cultivated over the years.  

This moment signals not only a milestone achieved but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Thorndale Farm team.