Dan Skelton’s extraordinary campaign hit yet another milestone at Perth, where his horse Heltenham clinched a win that gave the trainer a victory at every jumps venue in Britain for the current season. After two years of near‑misses at the hands of Willie Mullins, Skelton has now amassed close to £5 million in prize money in his pursuit of the champion trainer title, a goal he hopes to achieve for the first time.
The crowning moment arrived on a Saturday at Sandown, where Skelton was presented with his first trainer’s trophy of the year. Earlier that day, he had already completed the remarkable feat of sending out a winner at all 41 National Hunt circuits, a run that took him all the way to the Highlands. In the afternoon’s action, his runners Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack fell just short, but his brother Harry Skelton delivered the perfect ride on the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham.
Timing his challenge impeccably, Harry guided the horse to a decisive one‑and‑three‑quarter‑length victory in the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase. Reflecting on the achievement, Dan Skelton told Racing TV: "It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved it.
It’s something I never imagined would happen. I realised we were only four tracks short for the season, and one of those was Musselburgh. I wasn’t planning to run there because we rarely send horses to Musselburgh, but owner Jimmy Fyffe wanted Made U Blush to race there. I told him we’d only have one runner.
He said ‘Send her up’, she won, and that sparked the idea that we could try the remaining venues as well. It took 21 runners to get a winner at Plumpton, and a few less at Perth, but I’m in awe of my team and all the owners who have backed us.
I love this job. I sometimes set myself seemingly impossible targets, but they keep me motivated." The card also featured a poignant finale for No Drama This End, whose hurdling career ended on a high note with a win in the Listed British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, redeeming a disappointing performance at Cheltenham earlier in the season.
Paul Nicholls’ six‑year‑old had started the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as the favourite, only to be pulled up by Harry Cobden. Yet north of the border the same horse delivered JP McManus’s 100th victory of the year, a testament to his resilience.
Nicholls spoke to Racing TV after the win: "I’m very happy. It’s nice to finish on a good note. I know I can get him even better in the autumn.
It’s not been easy to get him right, but he’s a class horse. He won four of his five hurdle starts, and he won’t run over hurdles again – he’ll switch to chasing in November.
He’s a strong stayer and will tackle three‑mile fences, though we haven’t decided where to start him. He’ll be an exciting chaser in the future." Another highlight came from Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s Apple Away, who secured her place in the French Champion Hurdle after a dramatic rally in the Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Chase.
The race turned on a nail‑biting finish when Skelton’s own Panic Attack, fresh from a Grand National exit at the third fence, seemed to dominate the final stretch, putting Apple Away in jeopardy. Yet Derek Fox produced a brilliant finishing run on the 4‑1 chance, pulling ahead by a length and a quarter to beat Ruby Island and claim his second win of the day. Russell was emotional: "It’s amazing, I’m in tears as she walked out.
She’s a phenomenal mare. I thought she was beaten, but her heart carried her through.
I’ve never had a filly with such attitude and guts. Allez Français – we’ve entered her in the French Champion Hurdle three weeks from now.
Let’s see if she can deliver there." Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble on the card. He guided Gee Force Flyer to victory in the Welcome To The Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle, then saw Barlovento win the Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, and finally watched Atlantic City triumph in the Scone Palace Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Each win added to Murphy’s growing reputation as a versatile and effective jockey. Overall, the Perth meeting underscored Dan Skelton’s relentless ambition and the depth of his operation.
Achieving a winner at every British jumps venue in a single season is a rare accomplishment that speaks to meticulous planning, strong owner relationships, and a willingness to take calculated risks—such as the decision to field a lone runner at Musselburgh, which ultimately paid off. The success also highlights the collaborative nature of National Hunt racing, where trainers, jockeys, owners, and stable staff all contribute to each victory. Looking ahead, Skelton’s team will likely aim to sustain their momentum into the autumn festivals, with several promising horses poised to step up in class.
The recent wins at Perth provide a solid foundation for future campaigns, and the morale boost from completing the set will undoubtedly fuel the ambition to chase even greater honors, perhaps a championship title, later in the season. In summary, Dan Skelton’s historic achievement at Perth—winning at every jumps track in Britain—combined with standout performances from his jockeys and owners, marks a defining moment in a season already rich with prize money and memorable victories. The story illustrates the blend of strategic foresight, hard work, and a touch of daring that defines top‑level National Hunt racing today.