Devon native Nick Scholfield is a recent addition to the training ranks, having retired from the saddle as recently as April 6, 2025. As a jockey, he is probably best remembered for his association with Melodic Rendezvous, trained by Jeremy Scott, on whom he won eight times, including the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in 2013, and Irving, trained by Paul Nicholls, on whom he won seven times, including the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in 2014.
Scholfield began his training career at Felstead Court Stables on Folly Road, Lambourn – previously occupied by Joseph Tuite, who retired in 2022 due to financial difficulties – in late 2025. He saddled his first winner as a trainer, St Irene, ridden by Jack Quinlan, at Wincanton on November 20, 2025, just shy of 19 years to the day after riding his first winner under National Hunt Rules as an amateur jockey. Just over a month later, the grey Malinas mare became just his fourth winner, but his first at Listed level, justifying favouritism in the Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton. Reflecting on her victory, Scholfield said, “It was a magic day, I sort of have to pinch myself.”
St Irene went on to take her chance in the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, in which she finished tailed off as a 100/1 outsider. Nevertheless, Scholfield completed an entirely satisfactory first season as a licence holder, saddling a total of 20 winners and collecting over £250,000 on prize money. He has continued in similar vein in 2026/27 and, September 18, 2026, beat David Pipe to the leading small trainer title in the Racecourse Association (RCA) Summer Jumps Championships on the final card of the competition at Newton Abbott. Just over halfway through the season, he has already saddled 14 winners, so looks well on course for his best campaign yet.