Nicholas McKee

A chat with Nicholas McKee, Pupil Assistant

Where abouts were you born and raised?
In a little village called Lake (in between Sandown and Shanklin) on the Isle of Wight

What was your first job in racing?
My first job was for a rather well known trainer David Elsworth, I started there in 1998 and was lucky enough to work with horses like Island Sands, Lear Spear, Salford Express and of course Persian Punch

If you didn’t work in racing, what do you think you would do?
It would probably be something to do with computers, because I’ve always had that interest! In fact I love any kind of technology!

Did you ride professionally, back in the day?
Yes, I rode pretty much anything my weight would allow… as a conditional, as an amateur, point to pointing and even Arab racing!! I had about 20-odd rides in the end and 4 winners.

What is your most memorable moment in racing?
Probably while I was working at David Elsworth’s, we had a really good 2 year old colt there, Island Sands. Godolphin came and bought him at the end of his two-year-old campaign. We all loved him, I remember going to town every one or two weeks and putting £10 or £20 on him to win the guineas, we all did! And then we stood in a little betting shop in Fordingbridge and cheered him home! (It was a Coral before you worry about the poor bookie!) We all won so much that day, they couldn’t pay us out!! It felt great!! And then the next day, a lorry load of Champagne arrived at the yard from Mr Mohammed! … Although I think Elsie had most of that! Ha ha!

Describe your perfect night in/out?
I don’t really like nights in… Rachel Steven’s is always busy!! But a good night out would be out for a meal with friends, followed by a few drinks, and then a good boogie on the dance floor!!

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?
Well I really enjoyed Ibiza last year so that’d win at the moment, but off to Bulgaria in June (home of Dimitar Berbatov!) so that may overtake Ibiza.

What type of music do you listen to most?
Anything and everything! I’ll dance to pop or RnB, although I properly stomp to Dance Music. And chill to some Indie!!

Name a talent you wish you had
I’d love to read women’s minds, so I’d know when they like me… or more frequently when they don’t!!

What websites do you visit regularly?
Facebook but since I’ve been updating this website simoncallaghan.co.uk is a constant in my browser!

Favourite all-time horse
Probably Persian Punch because he was just amazing to work with, and a brilliant horse to have in the yard! Everyone loved him and everyone was happy, even when he got beat! Strange really when you look back on it! I don’t think there’s many racehorses where everybody loves them even when they get beat!

What do you do with your spare time?
Update this website… that’s almost a full time job in itself at the moment! Although don’t expect too much updating over the weekends! That’s premium socialising time!! I love hanging out with my mates, I have a really good bunch of friends! I'm also a keen Tottenham fan so that occupy's a few days down the pub!!

Who are your hero’s both in and out of racing?
It would be Richard Quinn on the flat (although Mick Kinane is up there too!), and Richard Dunwoody over jumps although recently it’s Timmy Murphy, read his autobiography and have an amazing amount of respect for what he’s done and how he’s come back. Outside I don’t really think I have one! Probably my dad, if I could be half as good a father in the future as him I’d be doing well

Finally, your Simon Callaghan trained horse to follow is…?
Exhibition