Boombawn

Dan Skelton's yard at Alcester has sent out 198 winners this season, but Boombawn stands out as a course specialist at Kempton Park, where he has won twice in five visits. His last victory came at Wincanton on November 9, 2024, a Class 1 race worth £75,000—a substantial prize that underlined his quality on the day. In the winner's enclosure, Skelton acknowledged what had always been true: Boombawn isn't top-class material for the very highest races, but he is a genuine horse with solid graded form and plenty of experience at this level. The trainer had even considered taking him over fences, sensing that longer races over obstacles might suit his temperament and his talent.

What makes Boombawn interesting now is not what he might achieve, but what he has become. He has not won in his last six races, yet he remains active at nine, still competing in Class 1 and Class 2 fields. Harry Skelton, the trainer's son, has ridden him 22 times and won five of those races—a 23% win rate that slightly edges the horse's overall record. This is a partnership built on knowledge. Boombawn is the kind of horse that racing people respect: honest, experienced, and reliable on the ground he loves. He may never win a top-level race, but on a day when the ground is right and the race suits his style, he knows exactly what to do.