Harry Skelton couldn’t contain his joy as Grey Dawning triumphed in the prestigious £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock. The race, a highly anticipated rematch between last year’s top two contenders, saw Grey Dawning dominate the field, leaving Handstands trailing behind.
Defeating Royale Pagaille, who had bested him the previous year, Grey Dawning pulled ahead in the final stretch, finishing almost three lengths in front of his rival. Skelton, visibly moved by the victory, had extra reason to celebrate as his wife Bridget had recently given birth to their daughter Anna.
Reflecting on the win, Skelton praised the team behind Grey Dawning for their hard work in preparing the horse for success. He expressed his pride in his wife and eagerness to return home to his growing family.
The significant win not only brought personal satisfaction but also boosted Dan Skelton’s standing as a leading trainer, adding £113,870 to his impressive earnings, surpassing £1.2 million since April.
Dan Skelton commended Grey Dawning’s exceptional performance, acknowledging that the outcome exceeded expectations. Despite a delayed victory from the previous year, he was delighted to witness Grey Dawning’s stellar performance on race day.
Skelton’s emotional response was attributed to the whirlwind of the past 48 hours, with special mention given to owner Robert Kirkland for his invaluable support in the sport. Skelton emphasized the importance of owners in horse racing, highlighting the joy of delivering moments of triumph like the one experienced with Grey Dawning.
