An insight into a thoroughbred’s preparation ahead of premier race meetings

It’s fine margins that make the difference between winning and losing horses, especially in the biggest race meetings. That’s the view of Dan Skelton’s stables, which now includes almost 140 thoroughbred prospects in his yard. With a broad spectrum of horses in his stable, from Group 1 winners and contenders through to handicap old-timers, Skelton’s team knows a thing or two about preparing a horse for a big race – and there are none bigger in British horseracing than the Grand National.

The Grand National is one of the races for horses, jockeys and stables alike, which explains the lengths stable staff will go to in their preparation of potential stars. The Grand National is considered the nation’s favourite horse racing festival, pipping the likes of Cheltenham and Royal Ascot and any winner at Aintree is etched into horseracing folklore for eternity.

Dan Skelton’s fascinating pre-National treatment of Blaklion uncovered

Skelton’s stable had a solitary entrant into the 2022 Grand National, with National Hunt stalwart Blaklion making his fourth attempt at winning at Aintree. Aged 13, he would have been the first to win at that age since the 1923 National. A recent report shone a spotlight on Blaklion’s preparation for this year’s National, reinforcing the importance of getting elite horses ready even in the twilight of their careers.

Skelton revealed that, just as a human long-distance runner prepares for a race, thoroughbred horses are put through interval training ahead of the Grand National, with short repetition the key. Skelton has tried his best to innovate when it comes to equine sports science. He has long since searched for those “marginal gains” and the “one per centers” that can make all the difference between placing and winning in the National or indeed any other Group 1 race.

Blaklion not only embarked on repetitive interval training, but he was also given a thorough cooling down session post training. He spent 20 minutes within an ice bath and Epsom salts with the aim of minimising any post-training inflammation. Skelton’s stables have also invested in a “Equusir Best Box” – a machine that uses infrared light and heat to pinpoint potential blockages in a thoroughbred’s body, allowing them to be treated well in advance of them becoming visible.

Magnetic rugs are also used to limit aches and pains ahead of race day, with the vibrating plates on the floor also helping to drive blood circulation and ease muscles. Skelton said that at the “very elite level” of any sport “the smallest things can make a difference”. Although his stable is less resourced than some of the largest stables in British horseracing, Skelton manages his equine professionals to deliver hands-on preparations that eke every last drop of potential from his horses.