Amidst the cast of ITV Racing presents, Megan Nicholls stands out with her elegance, professionalism, and in-depth knowledge of the sport. Having hung up her saddle in 2022, she has become a familiar face to viewers of Racing TV and ITV Racing. This jockey-turned- media star boasts one of the biggest names in the game as her father but has forged a career on her own merit. Let’s meet a young woman who shines both on the track and when providing insight on the sport she loves.
Daughter of Ditcheat Legend
Born on 3 July 1998, Megan Nicholls is the daughter of 14-time British Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls. To put that record in context, only the legendary Martin Pipe has more trainers’ titles to his name, with 15. Awarded an OBE for services to horse racing in 2020, Nicholls counts Cheltenham Festival wins aplenty and Grand National success amongst a haul of over 3,500 winners.
So, if Paul Nicholls is her father, who is Megan Nicholls’ mother? It seems that Megan has a love of racing coursing through both sides of her gene pool, with her mother Bridget playing a key role in Paul Nicholls’ journey to the top. Serving as assistant trainer when Paul first set out with only a dozen horses, Bridget spent nine years as part of the Manor Farm operation. Having separated from Paul in 2000, Bridget married Paul Nicholls’ former assistant, Jeremy Young. Training under the name Mrs Jeremy Young, she sent out 10 winners between 2003 and 2006, including a big winner at the Cheltenham New Year’s Eve meeting in 2003.
Megan has two sisters and a brother from her dad’s subsequent relationships. In common with Megan, her younger sisters have been drawn to a life in the saddle. Olive Nicholls has ridden over 20 winners under rules, while Zara Nicholls has achieved success as a junior showjumper.
Pony Racing and Point-to-Points
Growing up surrounded by legendary names such as Kauto Star, Denman, and Master Minded, Megan was always likely to pursue a career in horse racing. Looking back on those early years, Megan reflects, “Dad used to try and keep us away from the racehorses when he could, but we liked to join the back of the string and get involved. I was mad keen – I think it was harder to drag me off the ponies than get me on them.”
Soon gaining experience on the pony racing circuit, Megan formed a successful partnership with a pony going by the name of What A Risk. Moving into her teenage years, she initially stayed on at school to study for her A-levels. However, she lasted only a year before following her heart and taking up a full-time role at the family operation.
In addition to helping with the running of the Grade 1-winning yard, Megan’s career in the saddle began to blossom. Having ridden 17 Point-to-Point winners as a 16-year-old, she achieved her first success under rules when partnering Gwanako to success in a Hunter Chase at Wincanton in 2014.
A Switch to the Flat
Despite her National Hunt roots, Megan stunned her father when announcing that she wished to pursue a career as a Flat jockey. Well supported by Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan, and partnering over 100 of her father’s flat runners, Megan rode 102 winners on the level between 2013 and 2022. Added to eight winners in the National Hunt sphere, that took her career tally to 110.
One of Megan’s finest achievements in the saddle was winning the Silk Series in three successive years between 2017 and 2019. A 15-race event exclusively for female riders, the series helped propel Megan and others into the spotlight. In terms of individual wins, her big moment came when partnering Knappers Hill to victory in the Grade 2 bumper at the Aintree Grand National meeting in 2021.
Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race Result, Aintree, 21/4/21
| Position | Horse (SP) | Jockey | Trainer | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knappers Hill (8/1) | Megan Nicholls | Paul Nicholls | £19,131.80 |
| 2 | Peking Rose (50/1) | Paddy Brennan | Fergal O’Brien | £7,208 |
| 3 | Stage Star (22/1) | Harry Skelton | Paul Nicholls | £3,607.40 |
A little over a year after that win on Merseyside, Megan announced her retirement with a typically honest statement, “If I was an owner, I wouldn’t want to pay the same amount of money to use me when you can have Hollie Doyle, Ryan Moore or William Buick. You have to be realistic, and Dad has always told me to look forward and to use my riding career as a stepping stone to something else.”
Stepping onto the TV Stage
Having already made occasional appearances as a pundit, it was no surprise that part of the “something else” Megan referred to involved media work. Soon a familiar face on Racing TV, Megan became a member of ITV’s regular presenting team in 2022.
With vast experience in the inner workings of a leading yard, what it takes to ride in a race, and an impressive pedigree insight, Megan has just about every racing base covered. When combined with her good looks and natural rapport with the younger demographic, she ticks all the boxes for a modern racing presenter.
In her role as a pundit and co-presenter, Megan is a near-constant feature of the ITV coverage at the biggest meetings of the year, both on the flat and over jumps. In late 2025, she received another seal of approval from ITV when chosen as the lead presenter for the newly launched Friday Night Live series. Forming an all-female line-up with Adele Mulrennan and Leona Mayor, the series proved a big hit with viewers when making its debut in early 2026.
Model, Ambassador, and Bloodstock Agent
In addition to her ability in front of the TV cameras, fashionista Megan is a natural at a modelling shoot, with her work including a front-page fashion spread for Femme Country magazine.
When not working in the media, Megan continues to help out with the family business, having been tasked with sourcing the finest new talent for her father and his band of owners. Further strings to her bow have included ambassadorial roles for Goodwood Racecourse, York Racecourse, and leading betting brand BetMGM.
All of that, and Megan has still found time for love, having previously been in a two-year relationship with Group 1-winning jockey Kevin Stott. She’s making us feel lazy now!