Dan Skelton relishes first Champion Trainer title while preparing for Cheltenham

Dan Skelton, the reigning champion jumps trainer, secured his first Champion Trainer trophy for 2025-26 and is preparing for the three-day November Meeting at Cheltenham, which starts on Friday; he also has multiple entries for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Prestbury Park. Skelton is reporting a busy yard and a full schedule as the season moves into its next major meeting.

Skelton operates from Lodge Hill in Warwickshire, with over 200 horses, more than 70 staff and nearly as many owners, and he finally claimed the coveted crown in April after two near misses. He is the third member of his family to win a major equestrian honour: his father Nick was Olympic showjumping champion in 2012 at the age of 54 and his brother Harry was champion jockey in 2021. Skelton said he had twice been "mugged" almost on the line by Willie Mullins in previous seasons, Mullins edging ahead on prize money rather than number of winners.

"Do I think about it? Not really, if I'm being honest," he told BBC Midlands Today. "You're so wrapped up in what you're doing day to day you don't have to dwell on it. "I do go past the trophy every morning though. I've kept it somewhere I can see it. And that encourages me to do even better. "It was something I'd always wanted to achieve in life. At least we've done it. And I'd be lying if I said we didn't want to do it again. And again. And again. "It's the nature of being in sport. You get that winning feeling, which is tangible. It's addictive. There's no point in pretending it's not. But yes. I do love what I do."

On targets for the campaign, Skelton referenced the long-standing seasonal benchmark and reflected on current form. "Well there's Martin Pipe's record for jumps in a season (243 in 1999-2000)," he said. "I'm very conscious of the fact that this might be the best we ever have it, so I'm just trying to embrace the journey. Like a young man you can't wait to have his first beer but then when he finally has it, it doesn't quite taste like he thought it would. "In a straight line graph we're ahead of where we need to be this season - but everything will have to go well. We need to keep going the way we are and stay healthy."

For the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Skelton will run Blueking D'Oroux, Madara and Riskintheground against the favourite Meetmebythesea, owned by JP McManus. "Our two short-priced horses both have obvious claims," said Skelton. "Blueking D'Oroux is a second-season novice and they do have great records. "But, if you're just an occasional punter, I couldn't say RiskingTheGround would be the worst decision you'd ever made either."

Skelton noted the different dynamic when leading Irish trainers travel to Cheltenham, and he expects more Irish runners later in the season. "You start to see more of them around Christmas time," said Skelton. "It brings a slightly different dynamic when the Irish turn up. But you've got to take on the best at some point."

Decisions over which of his multiple runners go in a given race are often made within the team, with his brother Harry frequently selecting rides. "We've got more horses than we've ever had. 200ish. We're at saturation point. We cannot take any more. "Harry often has to make a decision. He's definitely going to make a wrong decision at some point this season, maybe even more than once - but, if another of ours ever does win, he's still congratulating whoever has won. They all have to have a share of the spoils. "But he is a massive part of the team and it is through no small effort on his part that these three horses even arrive in this race on Saturday."

On day-to-day management and the effect of weather on racing plans, Skelton described shifting horses between summer and winter programmes and concerns over ground conditions. "We move the horses around a bit. Some of the summer horses go on holiday and we look to the winter horses to bring on," Skelton said. "We're always moving our team around. That's a management skill and it's where your team might do their best work." He added: "Cheltenham worked hard to get the October meeting on and they've had to work even harder for the November meeting as they've had no help from above. "The whole country is in a massive rain debt. We need it to start raining quick to fill up these reservoirs. "Yes, we're getting into the winter racing season but it's also a sign that, environmentally, it's getting a bit serious. "If your ground is firm, the lighter-framed horses can skip over it. "But the bigger horses need it much slower or you can't run them, You have to look after their welfare. "We're being patient. We're all waiting for the rain."

Skelton will run Blueking D'Oroux, Madara and Riskintheground in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, where they will meet the JP McManus-owned favourite Meetmebythesea.