Keveh Nicholls is a graded stakes-winning jockey who began his career in Barbados, where he celebrated his first victory. Nicholls, who first started at Woodbine in April 2019, has amassed nearly 400 career wins, with his most significant triumph coming aboard Wicked Django, who won the Grade 2 HPIbet Autumn Stakes in 2024. Other notable horses include Rockcrest, B R Remark, and Shotgun Wedding. Nicholls’ first Woodbine win was on July 14, 2019, with Copinsay. The gelding was trained by Renaldo Holder and owned by Christopher Escoffery and Daniel U. Dixon. Wicked Django and Keveh Nicholls, seen here winning the 2024 edition of the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes. Michael Burns Photography What first comes to mind about your first win at Woodbine? “As a kid growing up, I always wanted to ride at Woodbine, so it was so exciting. I don’t even know how to explain it, but it was really good to win my first race at Woodbine. It was a blessing. I was very happy. And for Renaldo Holder too, I’m very thankful he gave me a shot. To give me my first win, it was very nice of him to get me out there.” What do you remember about the race itself and how it unfolded? “I remember the race went seven furlongs on the main track. The horse ran really well, and he came through for us. I was very, very happy and ecstatic. It was a very memorable moment, and I was thrilled. I was hoping that things really took off after winning that first one. It took a little while, though. Every year, it got better for me after that, to where I’m at now; it was a real process of getting there.” What do you remember about the horse you won with? “I used to gallop him in the morning sometimes and help out with him for Renaldo. I got to understand the horse and got to know the horse a lot, so that was a big help and a big plus, too. Before he ran, we had to take him to the gate a lot and work on that because coming out of the gate, he had a bad habit of turning. But he overcame that, and we got him to the races. We worked on all those things to get him there, and he came through for us.” What impact did that win have on your career? “Just the feeling of being able to ride again and to win at Woodbine, it was a big deal. It’s slow and steady, because I was like, ‘Oh, you just got to win this first one, let people see, it’ll open the doors, and hopefully you’ll get rolling from there’. But the journey was long. I keep working hard year after year because every year is like starting from scratch, that’s the way I look at it. I try to keep working hard and shooting for the stars because I want to get to the top, and everyone does, right? I know I can do it, and keep working hard year after year, and trying to get those results. “Phil Hall has been a really big supporter for me, and he always pushes really hard for me. There are a lot of other trainers that really push and help me, and I really give them thanks for that too. But Phil has stuck with me from day one, and he’s really helped my career here. “My agent, Ken Zweig, has been a big supporter and has been helping me a lot, too. We work as a team, and I’ve had him for the last three or four years. We’ve been bonding together, and he’s a really hard worker. I want to thank all the trainers and owners who have supported me throughout the years.” -30- Sophie Charalambous, for Woodbine Share This:Share
