Harry Skelton: you can't do it on your own, it's not a one-man team

When Harry Skelton collects the trophy as champion jump jockey at Sandown on Saturday afternoon for the first time, the list of people he will want to thank will be a select band of family and friends.

At the end of a titanic battle with last season's number one Brian Hughes that was only settled for good with two days of the season remaining, Skelton has emerged as the winner and for him, his wife Bridget, his brother Dan and his father Nick, anything else would have been an immense let down.

"Someone said to me 'you'll really find out who your friends are, trying to do it,' and they were right," said Skelton. "You can't do it on your own, you need people around you. You need the support of family and friends and trainers. It's not a one-man team."

Best friend and agent Ian Popham and assistant trainer, driver and first responder Tom Messenger have also played a big part.

But it is the sheer organisational talent of Dan Skelton that has been the driving force behind Harry's push for the title, with the Lodge Hill team providing the new champion with all but 15 of his 151 winners.

Turning point: a treble at Ascot in February, highlighted by the win on Shannon Bridge, was the moment tha Harry and Dan Skelton decided the jockeys' championship was a realistic goalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Shannon Bridge winning at Ascot was the turning point where I knew we had some fresh ammunition, some fresh horses to go at," Skelton said. "I knew there would be Dan's planning. I know what he's capable of and when he gets something in his mind, you'd be doing well to get it out of his head.

"I knew then that it could be on and once I had a sniff of something I was willing to give it my all."

Owner and longtime family friend John Hales suggested to Skelton that he ask his Olympic gold medallist father Nick for advice on the mentality employed in his final round of the individual show jumping at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

His dad's advice was simple: "He didn't put any added pressure on. He told me you just have to do everything that you normally do. Just take it day by day, race by race and try not to get ahead of yourself. Every ride was important and concentrate on that moment in time."

Not that Skelton says he needed reminding of the cardinal rule from his and his brother's childhood, one dominated by ponies and then horses.

"If you didn't win, you weren't succeeding," said Skelton. "Winning was what we set out to do and that's always been our life. That competitive edge has always been there and we've known no different. That is sport. It's about winning."

Harry Skelton said of his title rival Brian Hughes (right): 'I take my hat off to what he does. I think I’ve been busy and he’s had 200 more, it’s incredible'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Skelton paid handsome tribute to his rival, pointing out that Hughes had ridden in many more races than he had during the course of a truncated ten month season.

"Brian is a winner and he is a champion," said Skelton. "I take my hat off to what he does. I think I've been busy and he's had 200 more rides, it's incredible."

While Skelton was sharing the love around, those that know him best have been showering him with tributes.

Dan Skelton said of his brother's achievement: "It's remarkable. You hope and dream that one day it can happen and now it has we can't quite believe it.

"We got back late from Exeter Thursday night and everyone was in great form congratulating him but we'll have a quiet few weeks and when Covid restrictions allow we'll have a party. It's brilliant because when you push so hard like that you don't want to come off second best.

"Brian is a great competitor and it's a shame that there had to be a second place in this. In mid-February when it looked like this was a possibility we set out for it and everyone has worked tirelessly hard for it, not least of all Harry himself, and it's been the realisation of a lifelong dream."

Dan and Harry Skelton with Harry's wife and stable jockey Bridget Andrews alongside Grade 1 winners Nube Negra (Harry Skelton), Shan Blue (Bridget Andrews) and Allmankind (Dan Skelton) at Lodge Hill stablesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Wife Bridget Andrews is a key part of the riding team at the Skeltons and had only words of pride for Harry after it became mathematically impossible for Hughes to catch him.

"I'm incredibly proud now that he's achieved it but I'm always proud of him because I know how hard he works," said Andrews. "The last few months have been relentless, to be honest.

"The last few weeks, in particular, have been pretty intense. One minute you're up, next minute you're down, you have a winner, then Brian has a winner.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster. He didn’t get home until about 11pm and I waited up to see him but I'm not sure he slept particularly well last night!"

Richard Johnson had to wait a few more years than 31-year-old Skelton before he finally picked up the trophy at the end of the 2015-16 season, though he would win a further three.

Johnson said of Skelton and Hughes: "Both jockeys have had great seasons and have ridden a lot of winners and it's been great for people to watch it unfold. I'm sure after a four or five-day break they'll both be head down, trying to win it again next season.

"I think for Harry it's a huge achievement, and for Dan. To be champion jockey and riding the majority of your winners for one trainer hasn't been done since the days of Martin Pipe. Dan and Harry have worked really well together.

Looking ahead to Skelton being presented with the championship trophy at Sandown, Johnson said: "It's a fantastic day and it's what I had always wanted.

"Harry can go there tomorrow and enjoy it, and he's got a great book of rides as well. When he holds that trophy it's a very special moment and without a doubt the first time was the best day of my career."

"For Harry it's a shame the crowds won’t be there and he’d have got a fantastic reception. I do also feel sorry for Brian Hughes because he didn’t get that day last year."

Harry Skelton is all smiles after winning the 2009 Irish Grand National on Niche Market for trainer Paul NichollsCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Nicholls will be crowned champion trainer for the 12th time on Saturday and has played a big part in the careers of both Dan and Harry Skelton, the one as his assistant and the other as conditional jockey.

"I'm very proud of him and obviously proud of what Dan has done in getting him there," said Nicholls. "Harry is the complete package now. He's a great competitor, he's very strong and he thinks about what he's doing. He's also got a good team behind him.

"It'll be good to stand alongside him on Saturday being champion and him champion jockey, having started here all those years ago. It's a huge effort by him."
Additional reporting by Sam Hendry

Read more on the Skelton success story:

'It feels amazing' – Harry Skelton crowned champion jump jockey in Britain

'I always feel I've stuff to prove' – a day with Brian Hughes and Harry Skelton

'It's David and Goliath' – McCain says Skelton's firepower too much for Hughes

Harry Skelton cut to 4-6 for jockeys' title after Stratford four-timer

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