Paul Nicholls acknowledges the upcoming Cheltenham Festival as a poignant occasion with Keagan Kirkby "up there watching us" following the jockey's tragic passing last month.
Kirkby, a well-regarded member of Nicholls' Ditcheat team, met his untimely end during a fall while riding at a point-to-point event in Kent on February 4. The 25-year-old was laid to rest on Tuesday, with mourners in the Somerset village adorned in Kirkby's cherished Bristol Rovers colours of blue and white.
Renowned trainer Nicholls spoke at Kirkby's service, hailing the jockey as the "ultimate star player" and lamenting the significant void his passing has left within the team. The recent period has been a challenging one for Nicholls, having also mourned the loss of Paul Barber, the owner of his first Gold Cup victor See More Business in 1999 and co-owner of Denman, the 2008 champion.
Reflecting on the difficult times, Nicholls expressed,
"It's been a challenging year, starting with Keagan's passing. The absence of Mr Barber has been hard, and then losing Keagan. Nonetheless, the team has banded together, working diligently and supporting one another. It's been tough for many, especially the younger members, but everyone has kept the winners coming and is eagerly anticipating Cheltenham."
Nicholls fondly remembered Kirkby's affinity for Cheltenham and the equestrian world, citing his connection with horses such as Blueking D'Oroux, Afadil, and Firefly, who triumphed shortly after Kirkby's demise. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Nicholls' entry into the upper echelons of jump racing, with notable victories at Cheltenham including Flagship Uberalles, Call Equiname, and See More Business.
Looking ahead to this year's Cheltenham Festival, Nicholls is eyeing further success with a focused and quality-driven squad. Notable contenders include Ginny's Destiny, Stay Away Fay, Bravemansgame, Stage Star, Hitman, Captain Teague, and Teeshan. While acknowledging the heightened competition from Irish trainers, Nicholls remains resolute in his strategy of selecting horses with genuine chances.
Reflecting on past glories, Nicholls emphasised the importance of having the right horses to compete at the highest level. Despite the formidable competition, Nicholls remains driven by the unforgettable feeling of triumph at Cheltenham and the pursuit of success with the next generation of equine talent.