Trainer Paul Nicholls set to battle his third ex-wife on the racecourse as she admits ‘we’ve had plenty of banter’

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Georgie Browne, Olive Nicholls' Mum, watches her come an awesome
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She and the 13-time King George Chase winner were together for 12 years before separating in 2016.

Paul, 61, has TV presenter daughter Megan and jockey daughter Olive with Georgie.

But he is now with girlfriend Poppy Hemmings – a Somerset-born rider who is roughly half his age.

The couple welcomed baby boy Henry on Cheltenham Gold Cup day in March 2022, with Paul rushing from the track to make the birth.

Georgie and Paul were seen cheering on young Olive finish third in the St James’s Palace Hunters’ Chase at this year’s Festival.

She told the Racing Post they have had ‘plenty of banter’ about potentially taking each other on on the track.

Georgie, who previously trained a Grade 1 winner before putting her career on the side while married to Paul, said: “I was 23 when I took out my full licence, but then I met Paul and moved down to Ditcheat.

“I’d like to think I wasn’t clueless before I met Paul, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pick up an awful lot.

“We get on really well and he wrote me a reference to get my licence.

“We’ve had plenty of banter and I don’t think he’s quaking in his boots, but we can dream of that.”

Georgie will have runners over jumps mostly but her first runner back will be Betties Bay in six furlong race at Newbury on Wednesday.

Paul has three daughters from previous relationships.

Megan in particular has made a name for herself in racing, first as a successful jockey and now as TV presenter and agent to jockey boyfriend Kevin Stott.

But Nicholls said the rigours of the job and a constant seven-day working week meant he missed out on them growing up.

He said: “Life has changed. You’re working hard and have lots to deal with 24/7, then trying to put your hand in as dad as well.

“I’ve found it quite hard but I’ve managed to get the balance right.

“It’s nice to have a little boy and it keeps you young.

“I can hardly remember my girls growing up when they were little because you’re so flat out.

“You might finish in the yard at 6pm but then I like to sit down and study the entries, and you’ve got owners to deal with.

“You miss out on quite a lot but, because of your success and hard work, they are able to get a lot out of it as well.

“You tend to get more involved with them when they’re older.

“It’s hard to fit in everything and your family have to try to fit in with you really.”