James D. Nichols

James Nichols
James Nichols
Occupation	Louisiana Handicap (1972, 1973); Apple Blossom Handicap (1975); Fayette Stakes (1975); Hopeful Stakes (1975)
Honours
	Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame (1993)
Significant horses
	Bryan G., Decidedly, Graustark, High Voltage, R. Thomas, Susan's Girl

James Dee "Jimmy" Nichols (March 1928 – February 27, 2003) was an American

U.S. Triple Crown race wins of Risen Star

.

Known as "Jimmy", and nicknamed "Cowboy," he competed in

flat racing.^[1] ^[2]

Riding career

In 1947 Jimmy Nichols was the leading apprentice jockey at Hollywood Park Racetrack

U.S. Triple Crown races, his best finish a third aboard Gentleman James in the 1967 Belmont Stakes.^[4]

After thirty-two years, Jimmy Nichols retired from riding in 1979 and went to work as a steward at various racetracks including Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Waterford Park near Chester, West Virginia and finally at Trinity Meadows Race Track in Willow Park, Texas.

In 1993, Jimmy Nichols was inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame.^[5] He suffered from kidney failure in 1995 and spent his last years working in the jockeys' room at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. ^[6]

Risen Star

Even after his retirement from riding, Jimmy Nichols was sought out by owners in the horse racing industry for his knowledge of Thoroughbreds. The best known example of this occurred in 1987 with

U.S. Triple Crown series when he was a narrowly beaten third in the Kentucky Derby then won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Throughout Risen Star's campaign, Jimmy Nichols maintained an important role. He turned down a job offer from Ellis Park Race Course to remain as the exercise rider of Risen Star in exchange for a bonus of one lifetime breeding right to the valuable colt.^[8]

References

^ Youngstown Vindicator (Ohio) - July 3, 1984
^ "James Dee Nichols Had First Ride on Horse at Three Months". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^ 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide Archived 2012-04-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Modesto Bee (California) - June 4, 1967". Archived from the original on January 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
^ "Fair Grounds Hall of Fame" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
^ James Nichols obituary at Bloodhorse.com February 27, 2003
^ Schenectady Gazette - June 11, 1988
^ Newsday, June 7, 1988 article titled BELMONT STAKES - Nichols, the Hidden Star

[1] Youngstown Vindicator (Ohio) - July 3, 1984

[2] "James Dee Nichols Had First Ride on Horse at Three Months". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 19 August 2022.

[3] 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide Archived 2012-04-08 at the Wayback Machine

[4] "Modesto Bee (California) - June 4, 1967". Archived from the original on January 20, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2016.

[5] "Fair Grounds Hall of Fame" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2012-06-02.

[6] James Nichols obituary at Bloodhorse.com February 27, 2003

[7] Schenectady Gazette - June 11, 1988

[8] Newsday, June 7, 1988 article titled BELMONT STAKES - Nichols, the Hidden Star

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