AS Harry Skelton says, 2019 “is a year I won’t forget”. He married fellow jockey Bridget Andrews, moved in to a house they built from scratch, he turned 30, landed his first Grade One at the Cheltenham Festival and rode a career-best 178 to his trainer brother Dan’s historic 205 winners.
#TeamSkelton has become National Hunt racing’s buzzword as the brothers have fired out winners, smashing their way into the big league since embarking on their joint venture in Warwickshire six years ago. But the yard is shifting its momentum this season.
“Numerically, last year was unbelievable — Dan set out to become the second-ever trainer [after Martin Pipe] to train 200 winners in a season and he did, and tried to give me a good push in the jockeys’ championship and I came second. But it’s not sustainable to keep turning over that number of horses,” he says. “We haven’t had so many horses in over the summer so we aren’t as high up the table as this time last year. But the quality is stronger. To win bigger races is what it’s about now.”
To be crowned champion jockey remains a burning ambition, fuelled in Harry since he tacked up the family’s legendary pony Oxo — also the first ride of showjumper father Nick — in a racing saddle.
Denne historien er fra October 31, 2019-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 31, 2019-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
