JOHN Nicholson has decided not to renew his trainer’s licence, ending a 50-year tradition for the Co Kilkenny family.

Nicholson’s father Tom owned and bred Vulpine, trained by their neighbour Paddy Mullins to win the 1967 Irish Grand National. Shortly afterwards Tom took out his own licence and is forever remembered as the trainer of three-time Irish Cesarewitch winner Bigaroon in the 1970s.

John rode over 20 winners as an amateur and took over the licence from his father. He enjoyed regular success on the flat and over jumps, usually with family-owned horses carrying the ‘yellow, royal blue sash, check cap’ colours. He said yesterday that while he has no shortage of horses and owners, he cannot find staff.

“There are a lot of big yards around here, which makes it hard to get young lads,” he said. “I was thinking of retiring last year but I wasn’t ready for it. I made my decision recently to retire in Leopardstown over Christmas and I drove up to the Curragh the next day to finalise everything.

“It’s a sad day but I will still be involved. I have sent a few horses to Keith and Marshall Watson in the north, and I will represent them at some southern meetings.”

Looking back on his training career, Nicholson said: “Great Oak won six, I got a great touch out of [private sale] Another Batt, but the best day was winning a little Class 6 handicap in Musselburgh with little Nora Batt in 2018. It was lovely to win a race across the water and she was a yard favourite.”