A SHARP frost sparkles under a watery February sun, coating the rolling Warwickshire countryside as far as the eye can see. The shadowy hue of a dozen racehorses emerge through the early morning mist, before the unmistakable thud of galloping hooves breaks the crisp silence. From the breathtaking vantage point offered from the summit of a network of pristine gallops, Dan Skelton is quietly assessing his string of thoroughbreds filing past.
This is the Alcester trainer’s 10th season and it has been nothing short of remarkable for the dedicated, family-driven team. “The Saturday Skeltons”, as they’ve become known, have fired out a rich vein of big race winners recently, including the Becher Chase with Ashtown Lad, Protektorat in the Betfair Chase and the Coral Gold Cup with Le Milos – all under Dan’s jockey brother Harry Skelton – while sister-in-law Bridget piloted West Balboa to victory in the Lanzarote Hurdle.
“I’ve been very proud of the team this year,” says 37-year-old Dan. “People say we’ve had really good Saturdays, but if you have the numbers we have – and it’s a lucky position to be in – you want to be having Saturday winners, otherwise none will very quickly become less. People buy horses for you to train and they give the rides to Harry, Bridget and our other jockeys, because they want success – if you’re not getting results, the wheels will soon fall off.
Denne historien er fra March 09, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra March 09, 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
