A SUCCESSFUL North Yorkshire racehorse trainer known as the ‘Sprint King’ has quit the sport due to financial problems.

Former jockey David ‘Dandy’ Nicholls, based at Tall Trees Stables near Thirsk, took up training in 1992 and won a host of sprint races both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

His wins included the Nunthorpe Stakes, Prix de l’Abbaye and Haydock Sprint Cup and his ability to train so many top sprinters earned him the ‘Sprint King’ moniker.

His last win was with Sovereign Debt in Qatar in February. Mr Nicholls revealed his intention to quit in statements posted on social media this week, saying: “Sovereign Debt was our last runner from Tall Trees, as due to financial problems we have had to cease training.

“It was nice to go out on a high during what has been a difficult time and I’d like to thank all our owners that have supported us.”

His son and former stable jockey, Adrian, described Mr Nicholls as a "genius" in the industry.

He said: “I think he could see potential in horses that others couldn’t, certainly me."

He told how he rode a horse named Regal Parade over a mile at Southwell, adding: “I wasn’t very complimentary about him but he [Dandy] said to give him a chance. He ended up winning two Group Ones [the highest grade of race]."

And he added: “Other trainers have done it before and new ones will do, too, but I rode for lots of trainers and he simply got his horses in the best condition.

“It sounds corny, but they were just happy horses.”

Mr Nicholls’ fortunes had been dwindling since his best ever season in 2011 which saw him train 93 domestic winners.

Last season he trained 24 winners, but still enjoyed big-race victories with Orion’s Bow and Kimberella.

An earlier highlight came when one of his horses, Ya Malak, made history when it dead-heated with Coastal Bluff in a dramatic finish to the Nunthorpe – a Group One race run at York – in 1997.

The horse was ridden by Mr Nicholls’ wife Alex Greaves, who became the first female jockey to win a Group One race in Britain.

Adrian Nicholls said: “He was simply a genius. He wasn’t only my dad but a great boss too. It was a nice way for him to finish the other day with Sovereign Debt winning in Qatar.

“We shouldn’t have been surprised, he’s been a winner all his life.”

  • Mr Nicholls is facing allegations of sexual assault against two women. He appeared in court last month where he strenuously denied the charges and is due to stand trial later in the year.