'I don't have time' - Skelton not interested in outside rides despite title gap

Champion jockey Harry Skelton has refused to countenance seeking more outside rides despite a marked drop in winners as brother Dan focuses on quality over quantity at the family's Warwickshire base.

Skelton, who was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday's newspaper, stormed to his first title last season, when Dan supplied him with 136 of his 152 winners, but already seems out of contention this term – more than 50 winners behind runaway leader Brian Hughes – after a quiet summer.

"I can't make up the numbers because I don't really ride out for anyone else," said Skelton, "but if someone said to me that to win another title I'd have to ride out three mornings at Dan's and three other days for other trainers, I'd say I just don't have the time to do that, with all the three-year-olds coming in through the summer and the work that involves.

"Dan puts a lot of faith in me, the owners rely on me and they deserve that faith and commitment back."

Harry Skelton with Shan Blue at his brother's yard in WarwickshireCredit: Edward Whitaker

Instead, the focus at the Skelton yard is now on turning Dan into champion trainer. He sits third in the standings behind surprise early leader Fergal O'Brien and defending champion Paul Nicholls.

"The aim for us all now is for Dan to be champion trainer," said Harry. "Dan had to make a business decision that quality was the direction we wanted to go in, and we knew numerically we'd be down on winners, but that's where we want to be competing. People are investing in winter horses, in better horses, so we've got a lot to look forward to.

"Of course, that doesn't necessarily work in my favour if I want to win another title, and in my heart of hearts I'd love to win it again, but at the same time I want the best for Dan and his business, for his owners and his staff. I want the longevity and the quality, not just for me but for everyone.

"Dad always said if we were going to do this, we should do it together, be loyal to each other and to our owners, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Read more from Harry Skelton in the Big Read, available online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Click here to sign up.

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