Former champion jockey and Star Sports ambassador Harry Skelton has lauded his brother Dan, as he became the 20th different trainer to land the Trainers’ Championship.
Skelton was crowned champion trainer after the Grand National festival at Aintree, becoming the first trainer to surpass the £4million prize money mark.
Upon winning his maiden trainers’ title, Skelton became the 20th individual to achieve the feat — joining the likes of: Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Fred Winter.
Skelton took three Grade One victories at Aintree with Grey Dawning, Bossman Jack and Mirabad all scoring at the top level, sealing him the title.
Skelton’s Revenge
Irish supremo Willie Mullins looked set to chase Skelton down, after denying him on the final day of the season at Sandown, last year.
However, a strong performance and well-thought out season meant that Skelton currently leads Mullins by over £2million.
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Brotherly love
2020/21 champion jockey Harry Skelton was full of praise for his brother, saying: “We knew going into Aintree that it was going to be near on impossible for Willie [Mullins].
“The fact we had such a brilliant meeting and the horses ran so well capped it off.
“We didn’t win the big one but Saturday was just an unbelievable day.
“To have two Grade 1 winners on the day and four winners on the card, Tristan [Durrell] having his first Grade 1 winner, Heidi [Palin] riding a Grade 2 winner on the big stage – it just all seemed to come together.
“It’s never over until it’s over, but now coming out of Aintree we know numerically it is.”
Dan’s master plan
Harry also gave credit to his brother’s planning throughout the season and says that the duo are not slowing down any time soon.
“Dan set out his stall very early on in the season. He wanted to get to £4million [in prize money] which no one had ever done.
“We thought if we could get there then that’s something even Willie Mullins has never done.
“That was our aim and we achieved that.
“The whole team have worked endlessly all the way through the season.
“We’re all little cogs in the wheel but the leader [Dan] has been unbelievable the whole way through.
“He’s the one that is driving the ship and making the final decisions.
“I’m unbelievably proud of what Dan has achieved and to be riding for someone with such drive and determination is a great position for me to be in.
“We weren’t going to give up until we got it and now we’ve won one, we want to stay there and win more.
“We’ll be pushing on now and try to get to £5million.”
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