Harry Skelton was visibly moved as Grey Dawning triumphed in the prestigious £200,000 Betfair Chase at Haydock, described as a ‘magic’ victory. The race on Saturday evolved into a thrilling head-to-head battle up the straight between last year’s top two contenders, with Handstands also in close contention.
Despite being defeated by Royale Pagaille a year ago, Grey Dawning dominated the race in the final stages, pulling ahead by two-and-three-quarter lengths from its rival. Skelton, overwhelmed with emotion, was on the verge of tears following the impressive performance, especially poignant as his wife Bridget had just given birth to their daughter Anna a few days prior.
Reflecting on the win, Skelton expressed his gratitude to his team, particularly Clare and Tom (Messenger), who diligently prepared Grey Dawning for the race. He highlighted the recent birth of his daughter and his pride in Bridget, eagerly looking forward to reuniting with his family.
The significant victory contributed £113,870 to Dan Skelton’s total prize money, solidifying his position at the top of the trainers’ standings with earnings exceeding £1.2 million since April. Dan Skelton commended Grey Dawning’s exceptional performance, acknowledging the delay in achieving the anticipated success from the previous year due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, Skelton praised the support from owner Robert Kirkland, emphasizing the pivotal role of owners in the sport. He credited their dedication and expressed delight in delivering memorable moments like this one.
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