Harry Skelton was visibly moved by Grey Dawning’s impressive victory in the prestigious £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock. The main event on Saturday turned into 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 away by two-and-three-quarter lengths from the former victor. Skelton, touched by the performance, expressed his emotions, especially as his wife Bridget had given birth to their daughter Anna just days before.
Reflecting on the win, Skelton praised the team behind Grey Dawning for preparing the horse impeccably for the race. He also shared his joy about becoming a father and eagerly anticipated reuniting with his family.
Dan Skelton, the horse’s trainer, was also elated by the victory, which added £113,870 to his total prize money this season, solidifying his position at the top of the trainers’ standings with over £1.2 million in earnings since April.
Commenting on Grey Dawning’s performance, Dan Skelton acknowledged the delayed success from last year but was thrilled with the outcome this time around. He commended Harry Skelton for his dedication and emotional resilience, especially given the recent personal milestones.
The triumph was particularly meaningful for owner Robert Kirkland, with Dan Skelton emphasizing the importance of owners in the sport and the joy of delivering such victories to them.