Harry Skelton, the jump jockey currently second in the standings behind his brother and champion trainer Dan, has spoken candidly about the impact of his mother's alcoholism on his childhood. Reflecting on a difficult period, Skelton recalled how he and his brother coped with their mother’s slow decline, finding solace in their ponies and chickens. 'It was, at times, really hard,' he said, adding that the experience strengthened the bond between them.
The 35-year-old, who is aiming for success at this week's Cheltenham festival, also addressed his decision to abstain from alcohol. Citing both his mother's struggles and his admiration for legendary jockey AP McCoy, Skelton explained: 'I've seen both sides of drink... It can do wicked things to people and I never wanted to go down that road. Growing up, I wanted to be AP McCoy. So I didn't drink because AP didn't drink.'
Skelton's focus remains firmly on winning, a trait he shares with McCoy. Despite riding multiple winners at last year's festival, he insists that success brings its own pressure. 'There's more expectation this year... But if people are expecting you to have winners, you're doing something right,' he said. He highlighted L'Eau du Sud as a strong contender in the Arkle Chase, noting that the horse 'ticks most boxes' despite being second favourite to Willie Mullins' Majborough.
The jockey also acknowledged the role of his father, Olympic showjumper Nick Skelton, in shaping his driven mindset. With Dan Skelton poised to become champion trainer and Harry in contention for the David Power Jockeys' Cup, the brothers are navigating a season of high hopes and emotional reflection.
