Megan Nicholls: The ITV Racing Presenter Forging Her Own Legacy
ITV Racing presenter Megan Nicholls is set to bring her expert analysis to the Cheltenham Festival this week, continuing her rapid rise in broadcasting. At just 27 years old, she has already carved out a significant media career after retiring from professional riding. However, her background is deeply rooted in horse racing royalty, as she is the daughter of Paul Nicholls, one of the most successful National Hunt trainers in modern history.
A Legendary Racing Pedigree
Paul Nicholls, Megan's father, is a towering figure in the sport. Based in Ditcheat, Somerset, he has been crowned Champion Trainer an incredible 14 times. Over his illustrious career, he has trained more than 3,500 winners, including four Cheltenham Gold Cup victories. He is renowned for handling some of racing's most celebrated horses, such as Kauto Star, Denman, and Big Buck's.
Megan followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a jockey, though she competed on the Flat rather than over jumps. During her riding career, she notched up 110 victories. Her sister, Olive, is also involved in the sport as an amateur National Hunt rider. The Nicholls family truly represents a racing dynasty.
Transition from Saddle to Screen
In 2022, at the age of 25, Megan made the bold decision to retire from riding to focus fully on bloodstock and media work. She had made her ITV Racing debut the previous year and quickly established herself as a natural presenter. Explaining her career shift, she told the Racing Post, "I felt my riding career had hit a point where I was going back down. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with natural talent and you can work as hard as you want, but when you have people ahead of you it's hard."
Since then, she has become a regular fixture on ITV Racing, often appearing alongside seasoned broadcasters like Ed Chamberlin, Mick Fitzgerald, and AP McCoy. She also presents on Racing TV and is steadily expanding her broadcasting portfolio. Her mentor, Ed Chamberlin, has been instrumental in her development as a media personality.
High-Profile Relationships and Personal Life
Beyond her professional achievements, Megan's personal life has also attracted attention. She was previously in a relationship with Group 1-winning jockey Kevin Stott. The couple met while riding out in Dubai and began dating around early 2020. Interestingly, Stott had a brief trial with Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur before returning to horse racing when his football aspirations did not materialise.
After two years together, Megan and Stott parted ways. More recently, social media posts suggest she is now romantically linked with up-and-coming jockey Tristan Durrell. Durrell scored one of the biggest wins of his young career earlier this season, guiding the Dan Skelton-trained Panic Attack to Coral Gold Cup success. Images of the pair enjoying dinner dates frequently appear on Megan's Instagram account.
The Cheltenham Festival Spotlight
The Cheltenham Festival, where Megan will be working this week, is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season. Last year, over 200,000 spectators attended the four-day event, with similar numbers expected in 2026. For those not making the trip to the Cotswolds, ITV Racing will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the meeting, with Megan Nicholls as one of its key presenters.
From her famous father and successful riding career to her high-profile relationships and thriving media role, Megan Nicholls has built a multifaceted legacy in the world of horse racing. As she continues to shine on screen, her story serves as a testament to talent, determination, and the ability to reinvent oneself in a demanding sport.
