The Skeltons
Of course, at the top of the jockeys' championship table, you've got Harry Skelton, who's already well over halfway to 100 winners. What him and Dan are doing is just extraordinary. Obviously they've gone out and bought horses especially for the summer, and that summer squad is as strong as I've ever seen any trainer have. You know, for Beorma to win seven races in 23 days, or something like that... that's just unheard of.Â
It's amazing what they're doing, and the team behind them. And because we're not against them in the sense of targets that they're going for this season, it's actually a pleasure to watch.
Now, if I was in Harry's shoes come October, I'd be thinking 'I need a break', because that's when most lads' seasons are starting. So it's going to be a very long season for them both, but they've got their targets, they're extremely driven, and I've got no doubt that - all being well - they're going to get every target they set.Â
It's up to everyone else to catch up and join them. You know, they just seem to pick off all of these targets every year. So if they achieve everything they want to achieve, I don't think they're going to sit back and hang their boots up next year; they'll be looking to go again, and find something else to beat. Whatever we see from them in the next couple of years is going to be what takes racing forward over the next 10 or 15 years.Â
They're geniuses in what they do. It takes a huge effort as well, and I don't think the pair of them get enough credit, to be honest. You know, these horses aren't machines; you can't just turn them off, then back on again and take them to the track. Dan's been keeping a close eye on everything, and that takes a lot more effort than people give him credit for.
