Dan Skelton has been the standout figure of the jumps season, achieving a remarkable milestone by winning at every one of Britain's 41 racecourses. His crowning moment came at Perth with Heltenham crossing the line first, completing a clean sweep that underscored his dominance. Smashing through the £5 million prize money barrier at yesterday's season finale at Sandown was the cherry on top for Skelton, who had already secured the trainers' title by mid-March.
The statistics are staggering. Skelton has saddled over 1,000 runners, notching 194 winners, along with more than 140 second-place finishes and 130 third-place efforts. Before Sandown, he was £2.2 million clear of his nearest rival, Willie Mullins, a trainer who had won the previous two British titles. This season has showcased Skelton's strength and depth in British jumps racing.
Over the past few years, Skelton has built a powerful operation that consistently delivers results. His meticulous planning and love for the strategic side of racing have led to this brilliant set of achievements. Success attracts more owners and a strong team, creating a formidable juggernaut that seems unstoppable.
Skelton's target now is to defend his title, acknowledging that Mullins will need to travel extensively to challenge. However, many see this as a formality. Legends like Martin Pipe, Paul Nicholls, and Nicky Henderson have dominated with multiple championships, and Skelton appears destined to follow suit.
The real challenge, however, lies in winning the biggest races with top-class horses. Mullins made history two seasons ago by winning the British title as an Irish trainer and remarkably defended it. While Mullins has bigger priorities at home, including fending off Gordon Elliott for the Irish crown at Punchestown, Skelton's playful comments may prompt a response.
For racing enthusiasts, Skelton's numbers are impressive, but the four major British jumps races—the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Grand National, and Gold Cup—were all won by Mullins in grand style. Mullins also claimed a Breeders' Cup Turf on the Flat in the past year. While Skelton is head and shoulders above others in Britain, there remains a chasm between Mullins and the field when top horses clash in elite races.
Skelton has built an incredible operation but knows he needs more to capture these top prizes. The New Lion failed to win a Grade One in a division lacking State Man, Constitution Hill, and Sir Gino, though Mirabad surprised at 50-1 at Aintree. Planning has been key for Skelton, but finding horses to beat Mullins' best at the peak of the season has proven difficult.
Stable stars Grey Dawning and The New Lion fell short, while Panic Attack fell early in the Grand National as favourite. Her recent defeat at Perth suggests she wouldn't have beaten I Am Maximus. Perhaps novice hurdler Bossman Jack can be the one next season, but there is still work to be done. Skelton will relish the challenge.
If Skelton was the man of the moment, Gaelic Warrior's Gold Cup victory was the performance of the campaign. Winning the Gold Cup hard held on the bridle was breathtaking. Mullins' eight-year-old was flawless, tanking through the race and sauntering away from a strong field after jumping the second last. It was a throwback performance that legends would admire.
Remarkably, Gaelic Warrior was beaten in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in 2022 off a mark of 129. He has had doubters after high-profile blowouts but has become a model of consistency. He beat stablemate Fact To File in the John Durkan Chase and is set for a rematch in the Punchestown Gold Cup. He was third in a thrilling King George at Kempton, one of the season's most exciting races, and second in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, a track where he has struggled.
At Cheltenham, it all came together. Gaelic Warrior became the first Arkle Novices' Chase winner to go on and win the Gold Cup, beating Jango Baie by eight lengths. Jango Baie subsequently won a Grade One at Aintree, while defending champion Inothewayurthinkin was third. Grey Dawning, fourth, also won an Aintree Grade One. Paul Townend kept it simple on Gaelic Warrior, delivering a sublime performance that already looks like proven high-class form.
The undoubted highlight of the jumps season was a truly golden one.
