Olive Nicholls, the 20-year-old amateur jockey and daughter of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, was taken to hospital on Monday after a fall at Hereford Racecourse. The rider, who is the younger sister of ITV Racing pundit Megan Nicholls, sustained a suspected pelvic injury when her mount Quel Destin unseated her at the third-last fence in the Jumprite Open Hunters' Chase.
Nicholls, who has ridden 23 winners in her career and six this season, was competing on the 100-30 chance Quel Destin, a Grade One-winning hurdler returning from a year off. The horse had led early but lost position before the fall. Former jockey Mick FitzGerald, reporting for Sky Sports Racing, confirmed she was conscious and being treated for a pelvic injury.
The incident caused a delay to the final race, which started 11 minutes late in near-darkness. Clerk of the course Molly King said: “Olive Nicholls was transported to Hereford Hospital by road ambulance. She was conscious and is being assessed for a pelvic injury.” The Amateur Jockeys’ Association posted: “All thoughts with our triple champion NH Lady Runner-up Olive Nicholls after sustaining injury at Hereford. Get well and mend soon Olive.”
Quel Destin ran loose after the fall and brought down another horse, Important Notice, ridden by Josh Newman. Both horses returned safely to the stables. The race was won by Snipe, ridden by teenage jockey Dominic Lewis, who recorded his first career success under Rules.
Earlier on Monday, Nicholls had outlined plans for her leading horse Viroflay, targeting the Ladbrokes Trophy on February 21 and a possible Grand National meeting appearance. The racing community has rallied with messages of support, including from fans who expressed concern over the fall.
