Daniel Skelton
Age: 26
When were you at Princethorpe?
1999 (Year 9) – 2003 (Upper Sixth)
I grew up in Shropshire before moving to Warwickshire and Princethorpe when I was 14 in 1999. I completed the rest of my school days at Princethorpe and left at 18 to go to De Montfort University in Leicester to study Design Management.
De Montfort was the only Uni I applied to as I had achieved an A at A-Level in DT and it had the course I wanted to go on. Much to the dismay of my former teachers I am sure, it wasn’t to last as I was offered a job in Somerset with Leading National Hunt Trainer Paul Nicholls and seized the chance.
All my life I have been working with and surrounded by horses and the people in that industry (my father is a five time Olympian show jumper) so it was something I felt comfortable with accepting. After two weeks I was promoted to Assistant Trainer and at the end of the season finished second in the National Hunt Trainers table, the following year and everyone since, we have won the title and set many records along the way.
My day to day job is to look after the 160 horses we have in our care in Ditcheat, Somerset including legends like Kauto Star, Denman and Big Buck’s and the owners of the horses. I am regularly racing all around the country and l love the job I do.
What was the school like in your day?
It was a friendly but professionally run machine with high moral values, there was and I presume still is, a high religious undercurrent but that didn’t stop those in power having the foresight to bigger ideas; just as I left there were massive expansion and redevelopment that has undoubtedly brought the school forward. The teachers were great and understood and wanted to understand the pupils. I certainly wasn’t the easiest person to have in a class-room but we all got through it; I saw it as character building for me and those around me!
How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?
A lot of the teachers, especially the sports staff helped me to develop into the person I am today. At Princethorpe I felt under no pressure to be a number, all the pupils were allowed to be their own person and positive traits were nurtured. There was also a strong sense of decency and competition that I hope I have now, a sort of ‘expect to win or succeed, but be prepared you don’t always’. All this said, the biggest influence on you at that age is your friends, and I had a great few friends of a similar mind-set to me.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Try your hardest and put in all the work necessary. I was a bit blasé about some aspects of school and know now that I could have done better. To all the employees at work I say, 'Do everything to the best of your ability, as if you are going to do something do it right.' I should have applied this to myself 12 years ago really but it’s something you learn I suppose. After trying your best don’t forget to have as much fun as possible however!
Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life?
My father Nick. He has an unbelievable work ethic and is the most reliable person I know. He would say ‘don’t ask someone to do something you are not happy to do yourself’, that’s great advice in the big wide world as it helps you gain respect and climb the ladder. I have also been lucky enough to meet Sir Alex Ferguson on a number of occasions due to him being an owner with us; his zest for life, dedication, longevity and memory is unreal! For someone to operate at such a high level and remain so human is rare in a modern media driven world.
What keeps you awake at night?
Horses kicking the stables! Not sleeping due to a worry is a bad thing as most of the things we are worried about we can’t control.
What has been your proudest moment/greatest achievement so far?
As a team-member here we have won most of the biggest prizes in our sport with the best horses for generations so to pick out one is difficult, however my fist taste of Cheltenham Gold Cup glory was unbelievable and it lasted for months. The only prize that eludes us is the Grand National.
What’s your biggest indulgence?
Well I’m not a skinny lad, so in terms of food it would be a hard choice of about 100! I do like watching good films or TV series when I have time. Sky Plus ensures I don’t miss out when I’m at the races.
If you had to have one last meal, what would it be?
Rib-eye steak and chips then chocolate roulard.
What is your favourite TV Show and why?
Lie To Me, House and Game Of Thrones are awesome and have lots of British actors in them which is great. They are big budget series that last longer and hold more suspense than a film.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and who would be with you?
I would be in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a beautiful place with my girlfriend Grace. However it wouldn’t be when The Cheltenham Festival was on!
Lasting memories of Princethorpe:
Well the teachers won’t be impressed as they never had the privilege of finding out most of my lasting memories! Here’s one though... One day me and an un-mentionable friend were on the way to hockey and were walking through the main building with our hockey sticks out, swinging by our sides. On passing one of the bag racks we had noticed a yogurt had fallen out of a lunch box and was sitting all alone in the middle of the corridor. One of us took the initiative and swung the stick at the yogurt which exploded all over the walls; it was some horrific GM product that glowed neon on the white walls. Needless to say, it went unreported!
Are you in touch with any other Old Princethorpians, if so whom?
My best friend is someone I met at Princethorpe, Tom Ellis, a local lad whose family have been at Princethorpe for generations. I’m still friend with a few others and will be forever I expect.
Is there anyone you would like to track down?Not really; I see the people I got on with best a lot of the time. I wouldn’t mind meeting a few of the teachers who were unlucky enough to have suffered my presence whilst trying to conduct themselves professionally; I think it’s good to have reunions as opinions change in different circumstances and I would certainly attend one.
