Dan Skelton capped an extraordinary campaign with a landmark triumph at Perth, where his horse Heltenham clinched the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase and gave the trainer a win at every jumps venue in Britain for the current season. This achievement represents the culmination of a year in which Skelton has been knocking on the door of the champion trainer title, amassing close to £5 million in prize money and edging ever closer to the coveted crown.
The Perth meeting was especially significant because, just hours earlier, Skelton had already celebrated a milestone on his trip to the Highlands: a victory at all 41 National Hunt circuits. That feat was secured earlier in the day when his runner performed admirably at Plumpton, and it set the stage for the final piece of the puzzle at Perth. While two of his horses, Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack, fell just short of the win, his brother Harry Skelton delivered a masterful ride on the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham.
Timing the challenge perfectly, Harry guided the colt to a decisive one‑and‑three‑quarter‑length victory, sealing Dan Skelton's place in the record books. When asked by Racing TV about the magnitude of the accomplishment, Dan Skelton could barely contain his excitement. "It's quite incredible, isn’t it?
I’ve just loved it. It’s something I never imagined would happen," he said. He explained that the final missing venue was Musselburgh, a track his operation rarely visits.
Owner Jimmy Fyffe insisted on giving Made U Blush a run there, and the mare delivered a win on her sole appearance. "I thought, maybe if we’re this close, we should give it a go," Skelton recalled. He added that it took 21 runners to secure a win at Plumpton, but only a few fewer at Perth, underscoring the perseverance of his team and the loyalty of the owners who have backed him throughout the season.
"I love doing this job. I sometimes set myself silly or ridiculous targets, but they keep me motivated," he said.
The day’s card offered more drama beyond Skelton’s historic win. No Drama This End, a hurdler who had been let down at Cheltenham, finished his career on a high note by taking 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 north of the border the horse redeemed himself, delivering JP McManus’s 100th victory of the season. Nicholls praised the colt, noting that the horse would now transition to chasing in November and that his stamina over three miles made him a promising future chaser.
Another highlight was the triumph of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s filly Apple Away. After a late rally, the mare surged past the field to win the Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase, securing her place in the upcoming French Champion Hurdle.
The race had seemed all but lost when Panic Attack, Skelton’s own horse returning quickly from a Grand National exit at the third fence, appeared to dominate the final stages. Yet Derek Fox, aboard the 4‑1 chance, produced a fine finishing effort, pulling ahead by a length and a quarter from Ruby Island to claim a second win on the card.
Russell was visibly moved by the victory. "It’s amazing, I’ve just been in tears as she walked out. She is the most phenomenal mare. I thought she was beaten and then her heart just takes her through.
She’s great; I’ve never had a horse, a filly like her attitude and guts," she said. She confirmed that Apple Away is now entered for the French Champion Hurdle, scheduled in just over three weeks, and expressed hope that the mare will continue to excel on the international stage. Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble at Perth.
He first rode Gee Force Flyer to victory in the Welcome to the Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle, then guided Barlovento to win the Balnakeilly Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, and finally saw Atlantic City finish strongly in the Scone Palace Mares' Handicap Hurdle. Murphy’s string of successes added another layer of excitement to an already eventful meeting. Overall, the Perth card was a showcase of perseverance, strategic planning, and the deep connections between trainers, owners, jockeys, and horses.
Dan Skelton’s historic completion of a win at every British jumps venue underscores the importance of consistency and ambition in the sport. His willingness to target seemingly unattainable goals, such as the Musselburgh outing, demonstrates a forward‑thinking approach that has paid dividends for his stable. The triumphs of Apple Away, No Drama This End, and the multiple victories for Olly Murphy further illustrate the depth of talent present at the meeting.
Looking ahead, Skelton’s campaign is still alive, with the champion trainer title within reach. The prize money he has accumulated, combined with the morale boost from this historic win, positions him as a formidable contender for the season’s top honor. Meanwhile, the horses that performed well at Perth—Heltenham, Apple Away, and the others—will now turn their attention to upcoming festivals, including the French Champion Hurdle and the autumn chase calendar.
Fans can anticipate more thrilling performances as these athletes continue to develop and chase further glory. In sum, the Perth meeting will be remembered not only for the sheer number of victories but also for the narrative arcs that unfolded: a trainer achieving a once‑in‑a‑career milestone, a filly overcoming doubt to secure a place on the continental stage, and a jockey collecting a personal hat‑trick. The sport of National Hunt racing thrives on such stories, and this day provided a vivid illustration of why the racing community remains passionately engaged throughout the season.