Harry Skelton was visibly moved when Grey Dawning triumphed in the prestigious £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock, describing the victory as ‘magic.’ The highlight race of the day saw a thrilling showdown between last year’s top two contenders, with Handstands also in the mix.
Despite being defeated by Royale Pagaille a year ago, Grey Dawning dominated the race in the final stretch, pulling ahead by two-and-three-quarter lengths from his rival. Skelton, emotionally overwhelmed by the performance, had tears of joy, coming just days after the birth of his daughter Anna to wife Bridget.
Reflecting on the win, Skelton expressed gratitude to Clare, Tom Messenger, and the team for their dedicated care of Grey Dawning, allowing him to savor the moment on the track. He shared his pride in Bridget and eagerness to return home to his growing family.
The victory significantly boosted Dan Skelton’s earnings, adding £113,870 to his leading prize money total as the top trainer, exceeding £1.2 million since April. Dan Skelton anticipated a strong performance from Grey Dawning, praising the grey chaser’s remarkable display.
Despite the delayed success from last year’s expectations, Dan Skelton was pleased with the flawless performance, attributing the previous year’s setback to unfavorable weather conditions. He acknowledged the emotional journey Harry Skelton had endured in the past 48 hours and commended the exceptional support from owner Robert Kirkland.
Acknowledging the importance of owners in the sport, Dan Skelton highlighted the significance of sharing such victorious moments with them.