Mullins passes Skelton to retain trainers’ title

Willie Mullins won a treble on the final day of Dan Skelton’s successful British jump racing career in Sandown, clinching his trainers’ title.

Before the Grand National on April 5th, English trainer Skelton had paved the way for the majority of the year-long season and was more than £1 million ahead of the competition, which is based on prize money.

However, Mullins, the first Irish trainer to capture the British saddle in a 70-year career in 2024, saddled five of the first seven, including a one-two-three, to reduce the deficit by £860, 000.

Skelton had the highest lead by £68, 483 going into the final day, with a prize of £685, 000 available across the card.

However, Mullins trained the first two runners in the Oaksey Chase with Appreciation It to close the money gap before taking the lead when Il Etait Temps defeated Jonbon in the Celebration Chase, which Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon had previously won. He had 21 runners in the Oaksey Chase, compared to Skelton’s nine.

The winner, who had been out on the track for almost a year, came out with a fifth Grade One victory with Danny Mullins, the trainer’s nephew, riding the winner’s lap beautifully.

Skelton needed a significant performance to win the gold medal, but it was jockey Sean Bowen, who had just been crowned champion, who won on Resplendent Grey (9-2) trained by Olly Murphy.

Despite suffering a fatal injury, Mullins horses filled the next four spots to claim the title.

For Bowen, a victory was the only way to wrap up the Welsh rider’s season, which also saw him surpass 1, 000 winners in February and make up for Bowen’s disappointment between the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

Before falling for two months on Boxing Day, he had been leading the standings before Harry Cobden overcame him and won his first title.

However, this year, third-placed Cobden won the Mullins-trained Jump Allen in the final race of the season while Dan Skelton’s brother Harry came in second with 143 victories.