Unless you really know your horse racing, you might not be aware of Harry Derham’s pedigree or in fact, how deep this runs. Now, the name Paul Nicholls will undoubtedly ring a bell and this is relevant, because Derham is Nicholls’ nephew.

Horse racing is literally in Derham’s blood and as such, he grew up at the “University of Racing” at Ditcheat, Somerset. Indeed, Derham’s grandfather taught both Nicholls’ and himself how to ride, instilling a ‘horse first’ philosophy from an early age.

As a result of his upbringing, Derham essentially had a ‘front row to horse racing greatness’, witnessing the likes’ of Kauto Star and Denman first hand; legends and history-makers of the sport.

A Brief But Successful Career In The Saddle

Derham rode 50 winners during a short career which spanned 2011 to 2014; his crowning achievement being a victory in the 2013 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on Salubrious.

Having retired at 19 as a jockey, Derham had always preferred to be a trainer, such was his understanding of horses and early education and this stood him in good stead. Added to that, he spent six years as assistant trainer to his uncle which turned out to be somewhat of a masterclass in a period where the yard won three trainers’ championships.

Derham’s decade at Ditcheat wasn’t just about training horses, but the other important elements that came with this. He learned how to manage staff and communicate with owners, all the while handling the sheer pressure of being a top-tier stable.

During this time, Derham also essentially became ‘the face of the stable’, aided by his popular stable blogs and media appearances, with a personal brand already built even before he had taken out his trainers’ license.

Launch Of Harry Derham Racing

In December 2022, Derham started to officially train from a temporary base in Lambourn, prior to moving to a new facility. This move to Boxford means he would operate out of Upper Farm Stables in Berkshire; a 90 acre, state-of-the-art facility with all-weather gallops and capacity for over 50 horses.

Derham witnessed immediate success. He saddled his very first winner; Seelotmorebusiness on Boxing Day at Huntingdon; a dream accomplishment for any rookie trainer.

Meanwhile, since his debut, Derham has maintained a very respectable win strike rate, which makes him one of the most efficient trainers in the UK. Some of Derham’s major winners include Givemefive at the Cheltenham Festival, Washington (Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle) and Brentford Hope, who successfully made the transition from flats to jumps, becoming a consistent winner.

Derham has also developed a flair for being able to attract high-profile celebrity owners, including golfer Greame MccDowell, England cricketers, Jamie and Craig Overton and former football manager, Harry Redknapp.

He has also established a great relationship with major syndicates that includes Highclere Thoroughbreds and Noel Fehily Racing, which has meant that racing has become available to a wider audience.

Undoubtedly, becoming a major challenger to his uncle is Derham’s biggest goal and