Legendary trainer Paul Nicholls is already plotting his next assault on the Cheltenham Festival, following the dignified retirement of his stable star, Bravemansgame. The 11-year-old's career concluded not on the track, but peacefully in his stable at Nicholls' Ditcheat yard, marking the end of a glorious chapter for the 14-time champion trainer.
The End of an Era for a Stable Star
Bravemansgame, a seven-time Grade One winner and the 2022 King George VI Chase hero, was retired on Sunday, 28 December 2024. The decision came after a season where the gelding showed he was no longer at his brilliant peak, finishing third in both the Betfair Chase and his attempt at a second King George title.
"There was no drama, no last race," Nicholls reflected, emphasising the quiet and fitting end for a horse who had given his all. "He'd done enough. He's been a superstar." The champion chaser, who also secured notable victories in the Charlie Hall Chase and the 2021 Feltham Novices' Chase, will now enjoy a well-earned retirement, likely remaining within the Nicholls family.
Rebuilding and the Search for the Next Superstar
With the retirement of a flagship horse, the focus at Ditcheat inevitably shifts to the future. Nicholls admits the current season has been challenging, with his tally of 52 winners by late December trailing his usual high standards. The absence of a dominant, top-level chaser is keenly felt, but the master trainer is characteristically pragmatic and forward-looking.
His immediate hopes for the Cheltenham Festival 2025 rest on talented performers like Captain Teague in the novice chasing division, and the promising Firefox, who is being aimed at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. However, Nicholls acknowledges the process of rebuilding a squad capable of dominating the sport's biggest meetings is a continuous cycle.
"You have to be realistic," Nicholls stated. "We're in a building phase. We've had these times before. It's about finding the next one." He draws confidence from a powerful team of young horses, including the exciting mare Molly Ollys Wishes and the point-to-point recruit Mister Meggit, who represent the foundation of seasons to come.
Looking Ahead to the 2025/26 National Hunt Season
While the present campaign continues, Nicholls' strategic mind is already on the next jumps racing season. He highlights the importance of a long-term approach, developing the raw talent currently in his care into the championship contenders of tomorrow.
The trainer's philosophy remains unchanged: identify potential, nurture it with expert care, and campaign horses thoughtfully to peak at the right moments. The ultimate goal, as always, is to have a team primed for success at the Cheltenham Festival and other major fixtures.
As one door closes with the retirement of Bravemansgame, Paul Nicholls is firmly focused on the next one opening. The search for his next superstar is underway, and the racing world will be watching closely to see which horse from the Ditcheat conveyor belt rises to claim the mantle.
