Tony Bloom latest owner to join forces with Skelton Yet another big-name owner from the world of football has joined forces with Dan Skelton ahead of the new season, with Tony Bloom’s famous Brighton & Hove Albion inspired blue silks set to be seen aboard exciting point-to-point recruit Different Story. Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been a long-time patron of the champion trainer, while Harry Redknapp will also be among the growing names to rely on Skelton’s services as part-owner of £360,000 purchase Kaiser Ball. Now the Seagulls supremo, alongside partner Ian McAleavy, will be a part of the Lodge Hill scene with the impressive Oldtown scorer, who Skelton and agent Ryan Mahon went to £160,000 to snap up at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sale in March. “We’ve got a mare called Different Story with Dan Skelton,” said Bloom’s racing manager, Sean Graham. “She won her point-to-point and we had been looking for a horse to send to Dan for sometime and he put this one up to us having bought her after her point and he was very happy with her. “Tony and Ian have got involved with her and we’ll wait till the ground changes – if ever that happens, but she seems a nice mare and they are very happy with her. “Dan will do what he always does and find the right races and will bring her along slowly without going too far too quick with her and we’ll enjoy it and see where it takes us.” It is not just owners of a sporting ilk who have joined Skelton, with bet365 chief Denise Coates revealed as the new proprietor of 580,000 guineas transfer Push The Limit who is set to embark on a hurdling campaign this winter. Johnny de la Hey has also added to the number he will have housed with Skelton having parted ways with Paul Nicholls at the end of last season, with multiple Grade One winner Pic d’Orhy one of those now calling Alcester home. It is no surprise to Graham, who added: “In all fairness to Dan, the progression he has shown as a trainer and the winners he has had speak for themselves. “The results he has achieved have improved year on year and it’s all down to a hell of a lot of hard work and graft and he’s reaping the rewards now.”
