Having waited 70 years to witness an Irish-based trainer claim the British Jumps Trainers Championship in 2023/24, we waited only 12 months to see Willie Mullins repeat the feat.
Just as in 2023/24, the pulsating race went right to the Finale meeting at Sandown on the final day. Having led throughout the campaign, Dan Skelton headed to the Esher venue with his nose in front. However, having stretched over £1 million clear before the Aintree Grand National Festival, that lead now stood at only £68,483. Could Skelton cling on in the face of the overwhelming Mullins battalion, which had made its way across the Irish Sea?
Try as he might, Skelton was unable to deny the irresistible strength in numbers and quality which has propelled Mullins to such a dominant position in the sport.
One Way Traffic on Final Day
With neither Mullins nor Skelton represented in the opening race, the battle began in the bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase. In the absence of a Mullins entry, Skelton had a free hit with Riskintheground. However, the hattrick-seeking eight-year-old could only manage a prize-money-less seventh-placed finish, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Sandown Jumps Finale Trainers Championship Prize Money
| Race | Mullins Prize Money | Skelton Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20 | £0 | £0 |
| 1:50 | £0 | £0 |
| 2:25 | £67,992 | £2,144 |
| 3:00 | £8,506 | £3,216 |
| 3:35 | £118,387.50 | £4,690 |
| 4:10 | £69,597.50 | £0 |
| 4:45 | £22,396.50 | £8,893.50 |
| Total | £286,879.50 | £18,943.50 |
Skelton added £2,144 to his tally thanks to the fifth-placed effort of Boombawn in the bet365 Oaksey Chase. Unfortunately for the leader, Mullins saddled the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th to reel in £67,992, almost wiping out Skelton’s lead entirely.
Mullins then took the lead for the first time this season in race four on the final day, thanks to the £8,560 gained by third-place finisher Kitzbuhel in the bet365 Select Hurdle – Skelton managing only £3,216 for the 5th and 6th placed efforts of Take No Chances and Gwennie May Boy.
Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon was well fancied to do his bit for the Skelton cause in the bet365 Celebration Chase. However, Mullins produced the day’s finest training performance as Il Etait Temps returned from a 359-day absence to slam the odds-on favourite by 5½l. With Energumene grabbing third, Mullins pocketed £118,387.50 from the race, compared to a rather meagre £4,690 for Skelton. Now £116,407 behind Mullins, Skelton needed a miracle.
As expected, the hammer blow came in the bet365 Gold Cup. Leaving little to chance, Mullins was responsible for 10 of the 19-runner field, whereas Skelton saddled only one. In the end, Mullins didn’t manage to win the £175,000 event, but he did send out the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th to haul in £69,597.50. With only £34,429.50 on offer in the concluding bet365 Handicap Hurdle, Mullins was champion once again.
That final contest provided a fitting finish to the 2024/25 season, as Dan Skelton’s Mostly Sunny fared best of the British runners but proved no match for the Mullins-trained Jump Allen, who came home 1¼l clear of the field.
Jump Trainers Championship: Final Standings
- Willie Mullins – £3,570,991
- Dan Skelton – £3,371,484
Relief for Mullins as Skelton Promises to be Back for More
Having entered the final day as the clear odds-on favourite to defend his crown, a relieved Mullins summed up the victory when stating:
“The first time was sweeter. It was great publicity for the sport, and that it went to the last day is great, but it’s tough mentally – and I’m sure it’s tougher on Dan than me.”
A second runners-up finish in as many years must be frustrating for Skelton. However, having added over £400,000 to his prize money total compared to 2023/24, Skelton at least made Mullins work harder for the title. Perhaps 2025/26 will finally be his year. Soon after witnessing the champ lift the trophy, Skelton sounded up for the fight, stating:
“See you next year, same time, same place.”
If the race for the 2025/26 title is as exciting as the 2023/24 and 2024/25 editions, racing fans are in for a treat. For now though, let us enjoy the warmer weather and a thrilling campaign on the flat!
