Shane Nichols Racing is a boutique training operation based less than 60 minutes from Melbourne in picturesque Mornington, which encompasses all that the Peninsula Region is about: friendly people, a serene location, fresh air, and a unique environment for humans and horses.
Shane Nichols Racing is one of the few training and racing operations situated close to Melbourne that embraces a truly personalised approach to both horses and their owners. With a maximum of 30 horses in work at any one time, the preferred method of communication is via the owner’s choice of personal contact whether that is phone call, text message or email.
The Shane Nichols Racing approach to horse management is in alignment with this ethos, with Shane personally overseeing the management of each horse’s preparation on a daily basis. Horses are stabled on Shane’s properties on Mornington Racing Centre which provides the benefits of year round grass track gallops (7 days of the week) and an all weather sand track surface that has recently been upgraded. Utilisation of the steeplechase course allows for variation of work patterns on the flat or hill surfaces.
Owners are encouraged to be involved with their horse’s preparation and are welcomed by Shane Nichols Racing friendly staff at track work or on race day.
As an owner, the only way to understand the service and value of the Shane Nichols Racing experience is to come and see the operation for yourself.
Shane Nichols was born to be a horseman! The son of one of the most successful Yarra Valley trainers to date – John Nichols, Shane started working around the stables as a child and quickly progressed to being a valued member of the family racing operation by the time he was a teenager.
After spending time as foreman for John, and experiencing other pre-training and training operations interstate, it was a natural progression for Shane to “go it alone” and try his hand at training in his own right.
Having been granted a Victorian trainer’s license 21 years ago, Shane has progressed from training for some of his local mates to establishing a fully professional and commercial training outfit over the past 7 years.
Without a doubt Shane’s highlight of his racing career comes from the Group One win of I Am A Star. While on the way to the win of the 2016 Group One Myer Classic at Flemington this filly also won the Group Three Quezette Stakes. Winning a Group One is every trainers dream and Shane has the credentials to do it.
Shane regularly purchases horses on behalf of clients at yearling sales around Australia including Sydney Easter, Magic Millions and Melbourne Premier, and his frank opinion on yearlings, race form and thoroughbred wellbeing is sought by many in the industry, including leading owners, auctioneers and studs.
Shane welcomes enquiries from prospective owners and would enjoy the opportunity to show you around his stables and the Mornington Racing Centre facilities.