Nichola Eddery (b. 1982)
Nichola Eddery is a classically trained British artist specialising in portraiture, equine and sporting art. Her work combines the traditions of classical European painting with a lifelong knowledge of horses and a fascination with character, history and visual storytelling.
Born into a distinguished horse racing family, Nichola is the fourth generation of a celebrated racing dynasty of jockeys and trainers. Her father Pat Eddery was an eleven-time Champion Jockey, and she grew up on a stud immersed in the world of thoroughbred racing. A lifelong rider who has also ridden racehorses, Nichola brings an instinctive understanding of equine anatomy, movement and spirit to her work.
Nichola trained at the Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence before continuing her studies in France, Italy and the United States. Rooted in the traditions of the Old Masters, this rigorous classical training established the foundations of her approach to draughtsmanship, light, colour and composition.
Alongside her equestrian work, portraiture has always been central to Nichola’s practice. She is regularly commissioned to create individual and family portraits, seeking to capture not only a true likeness, but the character and presence of each sitter.
History, heritage and storytelling form another important strand of Nichola’s work. Her sporting paintings explore the traditions and visual history of horse racing, including a heritage work depicting jockey James Doyle in The King’s colours, connecting contemporary racing with the history and ceremony of the sport. This approach also informs Nichola’s bespoke Legacy Horse Racing Commissions, created to celebrate the racing history of an owner, family or set of colours. Bringing together significant horses, racing silks, victories and personal history within a single composition, these works are conceived as lasting records of a racing legacy to be enjoyed and passed from one generation to the next.
Nichola’s narrative paintings of dogs similarly draw upon classical mythology and art history. Her work has explored Diana, goddess of the hunt, while other paintings consider the representation and symbolism of dogs throughout art history, reinterpreting traditional themes through a contemporary lens.
Over a career spanning more than twenty years, Nichola has exhibited extensively in London and internationally. Her work is held in private collections worldwide, including those of the Saudi and Qatari Royal families and leading figures within international racing.
Nichola was Artist in Residence at the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket, where her portrait of jockey Khadijah Mellah is held in the permanent collection. Her work has also received international recognition as a finalist in the International ARC Salon.
Whether portraying a person, horse or sporting subject, Nichola combines classical technique with an intimate understanding of her subjects to create timeless works centred on character, heritage and storytelling.
Education
2001-2003 Charles H. Cecil Studios, Florence, Italy
2009-2010 Studio Escalier, Paris and Argenton, Loire Valley, France
2010 L' Ecole Albert Defois, Les Cerqeux-Sous-Passavant, Loire Valley, France
2011 Ryan Wurmser, Westlake, California, USA
2014 JSS, Civita, Italy
Museum Residency
2024-2026. National Horse Racing Museum
Museum Collection
Nichola's painting of Khadijah Mellah is part of the permanent collection at the National Horse Racing Museum
Selected Private Collections Include:
Lord Ballyedmond
Lady Bamford
Cristina Patino Y Barbon Duchess of Durcal
Mr John Chatfeild-Roberts
Mr and Mrs E. J. Hudson
Mr & Mrs Anthony Oppenheimer
Mr & Mrs John Magnier
Tom Magnier
HRH Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum
Mr & Mrs Derick Smith
HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud
HRH Prince Fahad bin Khaled bin Sultan al Saud
HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan al Saud
HRH Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani
HRH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani
Mr Raymond Tooth
Mr Robin Vestey
Notable Equine Commissions Include:
Buzz
Elm Park
Honor Code
Sadler’s Wells
Lion Heart
Motivator
Mount Nelson
Postponed
Reel Buddy
Simple Verse
Spectroscope
Notable Equestrian Portrait Commissions Include:
HRH Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum with Postponed
HRH Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani with Almagest
Generous with Anthony Penfold
Awards and Recognition:
Studio Escalier awarded Nichola the waterway fellowship for artist merit.
Finalist in the figurative category in the international 2012/2013 ARC Salon for Nichola’s
painting, 'Flora'.
Finalist in the animal category in the international 2026 18th ARC Salon for Nichola’s
painting, 'The Huntress'.
Solo Exhibitions, Group Exhibitions, and Charity Events:
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2026 - 40 Years (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2025 - Silks, horses and Hounds (solo exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2023 - 25 Years on Motcomb Street (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2023 - Brinkele, Eddery and Zaefferer (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2020 - Celebrating the Turf (group exhibition)
Cross Gate Gallery, 2019 - Saratoga Show (group exhibition)
Rountree Tryon Galleries, 2019 - Summer Show (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2018 - Celebrating the Turf (group exhibition)
The Dorchester, 2016 - Sir Peter O’Sulleven Charitable Trust Annual Award (Nichola gifted 'On a Winters Hill' to be auctioned for charity)
Osborne Studio Gallery, 2016 - Making Paces (solo exhibition)
Palace House, Newmarket, 2016 - An exhibition by leading equine artists to celebrate 350 Years of racing history in Newmarket
(group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2014 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2013 - Nichola Eddery (solo exhibition)
Paris House, 2012 - Sport of Kings come to Paris House (solo exhibition)
The Royal Ascot Racing Club, 2011 - Annual Exhibition of Horse Racing
(Organised by The Osborne Studio Gallery and was a group exhibition)
The Mall Galleries, London, 2011 - Horse in Art (International group exhibition and Nichola's painting 'Filly called Flo' was voted second most liked painting in the exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2011 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2010 - This Sporting Life (group exhibition)
AL Khalediah Arabian Festival, 2010 - Al Khalediah, Saudi Arabia
(Organised by The Park Gallery, London and was Nichola's first solo exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2009 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2006 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2005 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
Osborne Studio Gallery, London, 2004 - Impressions of the Turf (group exhibition)
The Savoy Hotel, London, 2003 - Sir Peter O’Sulleven Charitable Trust Annual Award (Nichola gifted a painting to be auctioned for charity)
The Savoy Hotel, London, 2001 - Sir Peter O’Sulleven Charitable Trust Annual Award (Nichola gifted a painting to be auctioned for charity)
The Mall Galleries, London, 2001 - Stowe School Charity Exhibition (Nichola gifted a painting to be auctioned for charity)
gallery representation
The Osborne Studio Gallery
The Osborne Studio Gallery was opened by the Princess Royal in March 1986, in Floral Street, Covent Garden. It was named after the well-known sculptor James Osborne, who played an integral role in the founding and running of the Gallery, until his untimely death in 1992. The Gallery has been firmly established for the last 14 years in Motcomb Street, SW1 where it hosts a changing programme of exhibitions each year, complimenting its large and varied stock. The Osborne Studio Gallery specialises in sporting paintings and bronzes by leading contemporary artists, with an emphasis on horse racing, and has additionally branched out over the years to handle the works of many respected landscape and figurative painters. The Gallery has always sought to promote artists of the greatest talent, in particular those whose work appears to be impervious to fashion. Upon request, the Osborne Studio Gallery would be delighted to send out catalogues for forthcoming or current shows, and a warm invitation is extended to come and visit the Gallery in the heart of Belgravia, central London.
