Nigel Tinkler is a long-standing thoroughbred horse trainer based at Woodland Stables, Langton, Malton, North Yorkshire, England.
Tinkler holds a dual-purpose trainer’s licence, which allows him to race horses on both Flat and National Hunt racecourses.
Nigel Delfosse Tinkler was born on 28 February 1958 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The Tinkler family has a rich heritage in horse racing. His father, Colin Tinkler Senior, was a jockey and later an established horse trainer. Nigel was very much part of the family business and began riding for the stable as a teenager. By the age of 15, he had ridden his first National Hunt winner, and by 16 he had ridden winners on the Flat, over hurdles, and over fences.
Today, Woodland Stables comprises 70 stables, a five-bay horse walker for warming up and cooling down before and after exercise, and a two-furlong round canter. The Langton Wold gallops range from six furlongs to one mile, on both grass and all-weather surfaces. In addition, the yard includes 15 acres of paddocks.
Nigel Tinkler turned professional as a jockey in 1975 and rode for 14 years, often riding his own horses. During his riding career, he partnered over 200 winners.
In 1982, he embarked on his training career, initially combining training with riding many of the stable’s horses. However, by 1989, he retired from professional race-riding to concentrate fully on training.
One of his first major training successes came in 1987, when The Ellier won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, ridden by Gee Armytage. Tinkler has long been regarded as a pioneer in supporting female jockeys at a time when opportunities were limited.
The Ellier’s victory was particularly inspiring, as Gee Armytage became the first woman to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival. This marked a pivotal moment for female riders in the sport.
Other major winners trained by Nigel Tinkler include:
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1992: Rodeo Star — Tote Gold Trophy and Chester Cup
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1993: Sacre D’Or — Cheltenham Festival Mildmay of Flete Chase
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1990s: Sugarfoot — multiple Group 3 races and valuable Flat handicaps
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2020: Ubettabelieveit — Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes
Ubettabelieveit later went on to become a successful stallion at stud.
Woodland Stables remains very much a family business, with Kim Tinkler, his wife and a former talented jockey, helping to run the stable. Their daughter, Amy Tinkler, works as the travelling head girl.
The stable has enjoyed considerable success, and in 2021 achieved its highest-ever number of Flat winners, with 41 victories, many recorded at giant odds.
