As the 2024-25 jumps racing season approaches, enthusiasts and punters eagerly anticipate the return of thrilling National Hunt action across Britain’s iconic racecourses. Each year, certain trainers rise to the occasion, shaping the narrative of the season and the online horse racing betting markets with their expert handling of top-class horses.
From seasoned veterans to rising stables, these trainers have the skill and track record to deliver success. In this article, we highlight four British trainers poised to make a significant impact over the coming months and whose stables are well worth following for those looking to back future winners.
Paul Nicholls
14-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls was left bruised last season, finishing third in the standings as Dan Skelton had a career-best campaign but was pipped to the title late on by the great Willie Mullins.
It was the first time since the 2019-20 season when Nicky Henderson was crowned Champion Trainer for a sixth time that Nicholls failed to take home the coveted prize, but he still enjoyed a solid campaign with multiple Graded victories, including top-level successes in the Ascot Chase and Challow Novices’ Hurdle.
The 62-year-old will not want to finish as far back in the championship again this year, and with the stable power he has at Ditcheat, he should be right back in contention for the title.
Nicky Henderson
Speaking of Henderson, the veteran trainer looks set to have a fantastic season thanks to the wealth of firepower at his Seven Barrows stable.
The 73-year-old was primed for another successful Cheltenham Festival back in March, but his yard was hit with a virus, and the majority of his runners had to be withdrawn—including the indomitable Constitution Hill, who caught a dose of life-threatening colic.
While Constitution Hill’s level of fitness is still unclear at the time of writing, Henderson is sure to pick up several high-profile victories this year with the likes of Jonbon, Sir Gino, and many other stable stars at the top of the sport.
Dan Skelton
As already mentioned, Skelton looked set to be cruising toward his first Champion Trainer title last season—which would have been a landmark moment for the Alcester-based handler.
However, following a historic Cheltenham Festival and a second Grand National triumph for Mullins, the Irish trainer set his sights on securing the personal accolade and there was ultimately going to be no stopping the 68-year-old.
Nonetheless, it was still a career-best year for Skelton, with a hat-trick of Cheltenham Festival winners, and is, alongside brother Harry, a formidable force going into this campaign.
Olly Murphy
A trainer making waves in the jumps racing sphere, Olly Murphy is starting to build a string of horses capable of competing with the big boys.
The Stratford-upon-Avon-based trainer also enjoyed a career-best year last season, breaking the 100 barrier in British jumps season for the first time.
Major wins for Murphy included the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, the Grade 2 National Sprint Hurdle, and a couple of Premier Handicaps, and the big wins should keep coming this season—especially with stable jockey Sean Bowen vying for the Jockeys’ Championship again.