Dan Skelton’s extraordinary campaign hit yet another milestone at Perth when his horse Heltenham clinched a win, completing a flawless record of victories at every jumps venue across Britain for the current season. This achievement caps a year that has seen Skelton narrowly miss out on the top trainer’s title at the hands of Willie Mullins for two consecutive seasons, yet he has amassed close to £5 million in prize money in his determined push to become champion trainer for the first time.
The crowning moment came after Skelton had already lifted a trophy at Sandown on Saturday, an occasion that marked his unprecedented success in sending out a winner on all 41 National Hunt circuits during a single visit to the Highlands. Earlier that afternoon, his stable experienced a bittersweet mix of near‑misses: Tormund Giantsbane and Panic Attack were edged out by narrow margins, but the day was ultimately redeemed when his brother Harry rode the 15‑8 favourite Heltenham to perfection. Timing the chase impeccably, Heltenham surged ahead to take the Bedmax Capercaillie Handicap Chase by one and three‑quarter lengths, sealing Skelton’s historic clean‑sweep.
Reflecting on the feat, Skelton told Racing TV: “It’s quite incredible, isn’t it? I’ve just loved every minute of it.
It wasn’t even on my radar at the start of the season, but when I realised there were only four tracks left without a win, I knew I had to give it a go. One of those venues was Musselburgh, a course we rarely visit. Owner Jimmy Fyffe wanted to run Made U Blush there, and I told him we’d only have a single runner. He said, ‘Send her up,’ and she won.
That sparked the idea that we might actually be able to finish the circuit. “It took 21 runners to secure a win at Plumpton, and while Perth required a few fewer, the effort from my team and the unwavering support of our owners have been phenomenal. I love this job.
I often set myself seemingly impossible targets, but they keep me motivated and drive the whole operation forward.” The card featured several other noteworthy performances. No Drama This End concluded his hurdling career on a high note, redeeming a disappointing Cheltenham run by capturing the Listed British EBF Gold Castle National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls’ six‑year‑old, who had been the favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before being pulled up by Harry Cobden, found redemption north of the border. The horse delivered a 100th victory of the season for future JP McManus number one, prompting Nicholls to comment, “I’m very happy.
It’s great to finish on a positive note. I know I can bring him back stronger in the autumn.
He’s a classy horse, and while he won’t return to hurdles, he’ll transition to chasing in November. He’s a robust stayer, capable of three‑mile fence races, and I expect an exciting future for him as a chaser.” Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore also celebrated a win with 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 saw Skelton’s Panic Attack, fresh from an early exit at the Grand National, set a relentless pace that left little room for competitors. Apple Away appeared to be out of contention, but Derek Fox produced a superb finish from the 4‑1 shot, pulling ahead by a length and a quarter over Ruby Island to claim a second victory on the day. Russell was visibly emotional, saying, “It’s amazing – I’ve been in tears.
She’s the most phenomenal mare I’ve ever trained. I thought she was beaten, but her heart carried her through. She has an attitude and bravery I’ve never seen in a filly before. Allez Français!
We’ve entered her in the French Champion Hurdle three weeks from now; let’s see what she can do.” Olly Murphy enjoyed a personal treble on the meeting. 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 capped the day with Atlantic City’s triumph in the Scone Palace Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Each win highlighted Murphy’s versatility and the depth of talent present on the card. Overall, the Perth meeting underscored the strength and ambition of Dan Skelton’s operation.
By achieving a winner at every British jumps venue within a single season, Skelton not only etched his name into the record books but also demonstrated the power of meticulous planning, collaborative ownership, and relentless pursuit of lofty goals. As the season progresses, the racing community will be watching closely to see whether Skelton can convert this historic run into a championship title, and how his expanding stable of talented horses will fare in the remaining marquee events, including the upcoming French Champion Hurdle and the autumn chase festivals. The narrative of a trainer who set seemingly impossible targets and then systematically achieved them offers an inspiring blueprint for success in the competitive world of National Hunt racing.