Megan Nicholls amazed as horse she bought for two golf superstar get huge wins
Givemefive (7-2) ran hard in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle to help cousin Harry Derham to a breakthrough in training at Cheltenham.
The four-year-old jumper is owned by the Smash Racing syndicate, which includes major-winning golfers Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka.
Nicholls purchased the hurdler from Jonny Murtagh’s stable in 2023 and was able to verify his track length and quarter success while working for Racing TV.
“To be honest, I’m absolutely devastated,” he told ITV Racing.
“It’s very special to give Harry his first win at Cheltenham. This horse is really a dude.
“We bought him last year and he is a very good player. It got better again. You’ll have to ask Harry what the next step is. But I’d like to see him here (in November) for the Greatwood Hurdles. Their team is always better and of better quality.
“I do talk about it often, but I don’t now. “It’s all a bit too much!”
Derham spent his childhood watching the legendary Kauto Star, the first horse to win the Gold Cup in 2009. He then worked as a Chaser trainer and assistant to his uncle, Paul Nicholls, for six years before striking out on his own in 2022.
Competing in front of a record crowd of 20,585, Givemefive used consistent speed to clear the last missed hurdle.
McDowell and Koepka didn’t go to the Cotswolds, but Derham said: “They’re in Florida but I had FaceTime with Graeme there and he made up for it.
“To all the owners who support you in a young company, it’s great to train winners and they are my big supporters. “It’s a shame they couldn’t be here, but the horse did them proud.
“Derham said he was considering withdrawing the horse from the 2m½f race because of the Bottler mystery and ruled out the horse that finished third of the pair.
He added: “well done to my boss Graham, my sister Amy and my assistant Charlie.”
“They said, ‘Go ahead, you’re ready to race.’ It’s a very good thing.” “
Givemefive has never let us down and it’s a plan we’ve had in mind for a long time, so we’re excited to see it come to fruition.
“In addition to owner and trainer, jockey Paul O’Brien is a new addition to the famous track’s reputation.
After the flawless performance, McDowell tweeted “Keep up the good work!!!!!”
