ONE of the best trainers of sprinting horses, David “Dandy” Nicholls has passed away this morning.

He retired from training earlier this year, citing financial pressures as the reason for calling it a day. His last winner was the talented grey Sovereign Debt, who won in Qatar in March. The grey won a Group 3 for his new trainer Ruth Carr at Epsom on Saturday. Under Nicholls’ handling he had been a frequent visitor to Ireland winning at Leopardstown, Tipperary and the Curragh, with Chris Hayes and Declan McDonogh teaming up with him. The half-brothers Tax Free and Inxile, and Moss Vale were also Irish winners for the Yorkshire man.