5 days ago
Mornington trainer Shane Nichols expands stable with new training partner Hayden Black
Multiple Group 1-winning trainer Shane Nichols will take on a training partner in the coming weeks, but that doesn't mean the Mornington horseman will be slowing down any time soon.
Nichols, the winner of three Group 1 races, said his stable foreman Hayden Black would be joining him in a training partnership.
Nichols said Black had shown his qualities when leading the team through a difficult period in the past few months.
'I had a few health issues over the last few months and they have done a really great job when I haven't been around,' Nichols said.
'He's been with me for seven years and he deserves a go as a co-trainer.
'He'll come on board later this month, hopefully.'
Nichols said the extra name on the stable door would not be a sign of him taking a back seat.
'I'm not working part-time, I'm going harder,' Nichols said.
'Someone said it was because of my impending retirement.
'Stuff that, I'm going solid.'
Nichols and Black have reason to be confident of a profitable start to their partnership after the impressive return to racing of unbeaten filly Esha at The Valley last Saturday.
She's well above average!
Esha justifies the short quote with a dominant display at The Valley, she's two for two and on the up â� @LaneDamian @shanenicholsrac
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 9, 2025
Esha progressed from a South Australian maiden win in March to a dominant frontrunning success in Melbourne Saturday three-year-old company, stamping herself as a stakes filly in the making.
Nichols also trained Esha's dam, I Am A Star, to win the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes when the race was known as the Myer Classic in 2016.
Nichols combined with Kia Ora Stud to pay $900,000 for Esha at a Gold Coast yearling sale last year.
Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on September 6.
