Dan Skelton reaches milestone 200 winners for the season after Sunday six-timer

Dan Skelton enjoyed a super Easter Sunday with six winners across the cards, taking him to a landmark 200 in Britain for the jumps season.

The Warwickshire trainer had two winners at Plumpton and a four-timer at Market Rasen, with Montego Grey bringing up the double century under brother Harry.

Martin Pipe had been the only previous trainer to reach 200 winners in a British jumps season, achieving the feat eight times, headed by his record of 243.

In a memorable campaign, Skelton has recorded a first Grade 1 win courtesy of Roksana in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he also won the County Hurdle with Ch'Tibello.

Skelton is in his sixth season with a licence since leaving Paul Nicholls and he has improved his winner and runner totals each campaign, having notched 156 last term. Remarkably, 44 of his 200 winners this season have come at Uttoxeter.

He said: "We spotted we had a chance of 200 probably at the end of February or early March, and brought the summer horses forward a bit. It’s great. As we got closer to the target we wanted to make sure for everyone’s sanity that we got over the line. To get so close and not achieve it would have been very annoying!

"To do it on a day when we have six winners is fantastic, and I’m so proud of the team.

"They’ve worked tirelessly, the miles the travelling staff have done, my assistants, especially Tom Messenger, have put in endless miles with Harry, and our jockeys have been so consistent.

"Everybody – farriers, vets, physios – has been magnificent, and the owners that have allowed us to achieve this have been brilliant."

Skelton added: "Harry rode beautifully at Market Rasen, and young William Marshall had his first double at Plumpton – everyone’s played their part today.

"I’m in Somerset with all my family, we’re just enjoying Easter. We’ll do something in the week with all the staff. The pressure’s off now so we’ll enjoy the final week of the season."

Dan Skelton in numbers

34 age

678 British jumps winners

200 winners this season

170 winners this season with brother Harry in saddle

1 Grade 1 winner

22 percentage of 2018-19 winners that have come at Uttoxeter

+£60.38 level stakes profit at Uttoxeter this season

Brother Harry rode all four winners at Market Rasen and punched the air crossing the line on Montego Grey. He said: "That win meant a lot to me. I'm delighted for the whole team, who work so hard. It's a testament to everyone who puts in the effort.

"It's been an unbelievable day and I couldn't be prouder of the team, especially Dan in achieving such a landmark in such a short time."

The trainer spent just over six years as assistant to Nicholls, who said: "I rang him and said, 'What took you so long considering how many winners you've had since October? But seriously, it's a great effort, Dan's a winning machine, and I'm proud of what he's done."

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