Harry Skelton (born 20 September 1989[2]) is a British jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. Skelton was the 2020–2021 British Champion Jump Jockey.
| Harry Skelton | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | 20 September 1989 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Career winnings | £8,085,487[1] |
| Career wins | 1095[1] |
| Major racing wins | |
| Mersey Novices Hurdle (2021) Manifesto Novices' Chase (2021) Kauto Star Novices' Chase (2020) Tingle Creek Chase (2020) Henry VIII Novices' Chase (2020) Queen Mother Champion Chase (2020) Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (2019) David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle (2019) | |
| Racing awards | |
| British Champion Jump Jockey (2020/2021) | |
| Significant horses | |
| My Drogo, Protektorat, Shan Blue, Politologue, Allmankind, Roksana | |
Career
editSkelton started his racing career with Richard Hannon on the flat, before switching to jump racing and joined his brother, Dan, who was assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls in Somerset.[3] In 2009, he became the youngest winner of the Irish Grand National on Niche Market trained by Bob Buckler.[4] In 2011, he won his first Grade 2 race with Celestial Halo in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell Park.[5]
In 2013, Skelton joined his brother who had set up Dan Skelton Racing in Warwickshire as the new yard's lead jockey.[6] Skelton has won a number of Grade 1 races including four at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2021, he was crowned British champion jump Jockey for the first time, riding 152 winners in the season.[7][8] In the same year, Skelton was awarded "Jump Jockey of the Year" at the Lester Awards.[9]
Personal life
editSkelton is the son of British gold medal winning Olympian Nick Skelton and brother of horse racing trainer Dan Skelton. In 2019, he married fellow jockey Bridget Andrews.[10] Andrews gave birth to their son Rory on 27 April 2024.[11]
Cheltenham Festival winners (9)
edit- Queen Mother Champion Chase - (1) Politologue (2020)
- Ryanair Chase - (1) Protektorat (2024)
- Golden Miller Novices' Chase - (1) Grey Dawning (2024)
- David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle - (1) Roksana (2019)
- County Handicap Hurdle - (2) Superb Story (2016), Ch'tibello (2019)
- Coral Cup - (2) Langer Dan (2023, 2024)
- Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase - (1) Unexpected Party (2024)
Major wins
edit
- Henry VIII Novices' Chase - (1) Allmankind (2020)
- Tingle Creek Chase - (1) Politologue (2020)
- Kauto Star Novices' Chase - (1) Shan Blue (2020)
- Finale Juvenile Hurdle - (1) Allmankind (2019)
- Manifesto Novices' Chase - (1) Protektorat (2021)
- Betfair Chase - (1) Protektorat (2022)
- Mersey Novices' Hurdle - (1) My Drogo (2021)
References
edit- ^ a b "Harry Skelton". At The Races. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Leading jump jockey Harry Skelton among those celebrating on Thursday". Racing Post. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "Paul Nicholls guiding rising-star Harry Skelton on path to success". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Niche Market springs Irish Grand National shock at 33-1". The Guardian. 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Celestial Halo ends barren run". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Dan and Harry Skelton: 'Losing a horse is the worst part of the job. It's heartbreaking'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Harry Skelton claims first Champion Jump Jockey title". Great British Racing. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Harry Skelton: why becoming champion jockey again looks a tall order". Racing Post. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "The Lesters 2021: William Buick named Flat Jockey of the Year as Harry Skelton takes top Jumps prize". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Harry Skelton: everything you need to know about this jockey". www.horseandhound.co.uk.
- ^ Donald, Jennifer (13 May 2024). "Welcome to the next generation of Skeltons and Whitakers: 'We have a Nations Cup team now!'". Horse and Hound. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
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