Dan Skelton capped an extraordinary campaign at Perth, where his horse Heltenham secured a win that gave the trainer a victory at every jumps venue in Britain for the current season. This achievement marks a milestone in Skelton's career, coming after two years in which he was narrowly denied by rival trainer Willie Mullins. Over the course of the campaign, Skelton has accumulated close to £5 million in prize money as he chases his first trainer's championship title.
The triumph at Perth followed an earlier success at Sandown on Saturday, where Skelton lifted his first championship trophy. Prior to that, he had already completed the remarkable feat of winning at all 41 National Hunt circuits during a visit to the Scottish Highlands. The day’s action began with two close calls: Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack were edged out in tightly contested finishes. However, the highlight came when Skelton’s own son, Harry, piloted the 15-8 favourite Heltenham to a perfectly timed run, allowing the horse to surge ahead and claim the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase by one and three‑quarter lengths.
When asked by Racing TV about the significance of the accomplishment, Skelton said, "It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved it.
It’s something I never had on my agenda, but I noticed there were only four tracks left for the season, and one of them was Musselburgh. I wasn’t planning to send a runner there because we rarely race at Musselburgh, but owner Jimmy Fyffe wanted Made U Blush to give it a go. I told him she’d be the sole entrant, he said ‘send her up’, and she won. That made me think, if we’re this close, maybe we should try the remaining venues as well." He continued, "It took 21 runners to get a winner at Plumpton, and a few fewer 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 absurd targets, but they keep me motivated." The sentiment underscores the collaborative nature of the sport, where owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff all share in the success.
The card also featured a poignant moment for No Drama This End, whose hurdling career ended on a high note with a victory in the Listed British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle. The six‑year‑old, trained by Paul Nicholls, had been the favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, only to be pulled up by jockey Harry Cobden. Yet the horse rebounded north of the border, delivering a 100th win of the season for owner JP McManus. Nicholls praised the horse after the race, saying, "I’m very happy.
It was nice to finish on a good note. I know I can get him even better in the autumn. It hasn’t been easy to get him right yet.
He’s obviously a class horse 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.
He’s only run five times over hurdles, winning four, and he’ll be an exciting chaser in the future." Another standout performance came from Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s mare Apple Away, who secured a 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: after Panic Attack, Skelton’s horse that had just returned from a Grand National exit at the third fence, seemed to have taken the race out of Apple Away’s reach, Derek Fox produced a late surge on the 4‑1 chance, pulling ahead by a length and a quarter to beat Ruby Island. Russell was visibly emotional, saying, "It’s amazing, I’ve been 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 her attitude and guts.
Allez Français – we’ve entered her in the French Champion Hurdle, just over three weeks away. Let’s see if she can repeat it there." The day also delivered a treble for trainer Olly Murphy. His horses dominated three separate races: Gee Force Flyer captured the Welcome To The Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle, Barlovento triumphed in the Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, and Atlantic City delivered a winning performance in the Scone Palace Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
These victories highlighted Murphy’s depth of talent across different classes and distances. Overall, the Perth meeting underscored the depth and excitement of British National Hunt racing. Skelton’s historic sweep, achieved through meticulous planning, a bit of serendipity, and the unwavering support of owners and staff, adds a compelling chapter to his career narrative. Meanwhile, the successes of No Drama This End, Apple Away and Murphy’s stable illustrate the sport’s capacity for redemption, international ambition, and the emergence of new talent.
As the season draws to a close, fans will be watching closely to see whether Skelton can convert his financial haul and historic record into the coveted champion trainer title, and whether the newly‑promoted chasers will continue to deliver the thrilling finishes that have defined this memorable campaign.