Celebrated jockey Harry Skelton and his wife, former jockey Bridget Andrews, have welcomed the Mirror into their beautiful country home in Warwickshire for an exclusive look at their daily life. The couple, parents to two young children, took a rare break from their wellies and jodhpurs to dress up for the occasion.
“It was so lovely to get glammed up,” grins Bridget, 32, as she admires her outfit. “But honestly? I’m in my comfort zone in leggings and jumper! That’s our day-to-day!”
The house is situated near the racing yard of Harry’s equally famous brother, trainer Dan Skelton, making it a true family affair. The couple have two children: Rory, who turns two on April 27 and is already described by his dad as “a character,” and five-month-old Anna.
Despite the camera crew, Rory takes his responsibilities seriously, toddling past leading a white pony called Barley back to his stables, chatting softly to him and shouting “Cheese” every time he sees the cameras.
A Home Built on Passion
The couple, who have amassed numerous medals between them—Harry was crowned British Champion Jump Jockey in the 2020–2021 season—built the house on the site of a former horse paddock and moved in in 2024, just three weeks before Rory was born.
“We’re lucky,” says Harry, surveying the land outside their living room window. “We’re well back off the road, we’ve got fields out front looking over the horses, and fields at the back. We always wanted a family to enjoy it, and we’re very lucky we’ve got two little ones now.”
The family spends “most of the time in the kitchen,” Bridget adds, after discarding their riding boots in the boot room that connects to it. The home is filled with horse-related memorabilia, from framed pictures of race wins to the David Power Jockeys’ Cup Harry won in 2025. In Rory’s bedroom, a rocking horse is an exact replica of Harry’s horse, Protektorat. Even the bathroom wallpaper is made up of newspaper articles about races they’ve taken part in.
There are three horses in their stables at the moment, including point-to-point hunter Midnight River, but with Harry’s brother’s yard up the road, there are around 200 in total.
Balancing Racing and Parenting
“Since having Anna, I don’t ride as much as I used to,” admits Bridget, who stopped competitive racing during her pregnancy with Rory. “Once our two get older, I’m sure they’ll have horses for pleasure. With one you can go everywhere. It’s not quite as easy with two! But we always wanted children, that’s the sacrifice you make, until they’re up a bit.”
With racing season in full swing, Harry’s schedule is hectic. “I’ve just done Aintree... If I’m racing on a specific day, I’m out the door early and might not return until 7 at night. I try to nip back. We’re lucky that a lot of races are only two hours away. In midwinter it’s fine, I’m generally back by 5-ish. Otherwise, it’s pretty full on!”
Amid the chaos, Bridget finds calm. “This morning Anna was asleep, but I took Rory out and we were up on the gallops at half past eight, watching Harry. Rory adores hanging out with his dad and his uncle, he spends so much time around horses. It’s a beautiful, outdoorsy childhood.”
Horses are clearly in their DNA. “We don’t really know a lot else!” Harry jokes. “We don’t want to force it, but we’d like to think our kids will take the same route as us, one day.”
A Racing Family Legacy
Family life and racing are deeply entwined for the Skeltons. Harry had to rush home from a race at Sandown Park to welcome his firstborn two years ago. Bridget never hesitated about him juggling both. “I knew he was going to go—that was fine. It’s what we do. I knew he’d be with me as soon as he could!”
Coming from racing backgrounds, they understand the pressures better than anyone. “We have had to miss family events,” Bridget reflects. “But if you don’t go racing one day and ride a winner, the next person gets on that horse, and you’ve lost your job. You have to earn your living. But racing also gives you some of the biggest highs imaginable.”
Harry adds, “It’s relentless—but you’ve got to be passionate or it’s not going to work. Now I’m even more driven, because I’ve got a family to support. Bridget’s obviously not riding right now, she’s got a bigger job raising our kids! But being a jockey is a career of absolute love. We’ve got a lot of good days ahead.”
The couple’s love story began at the races. “My sister is actually married to Dan’s best friend,” says Bridget. “I was young, not quite 18, when I met Harry.” Was it love at first sight? Harry interjects, “Absolutely! We were in the jockeys’ tea room—I spotted her, we got chatting and… it went from there…”
Honouring the Past
Harry is part of an incredible family legacy, with his brother Dan a top trainer and his father Nick an Olympian showjumper. He gets emotional recalling his dad’s big moment at the Rio Olympics. “To us, Dad was just Dad, but always very driven. He had to wait 58 years to win an individual gold in Rio in 2016. I remember that day so clearly. I was a mess; I actually broke down in tears. I knew that’s all he ever wanted, and that it was probably his last chance as well. His passion set us up for success, really.”
Bridget, originally from near Luton, also grew up with ponies but says her race-riding days are over. “We’re both doing a high-risk job. I’ve had my injuries and was lucky enough to walk away in one piece. Once you have kids, you have these little people who rely on you and need you at home every night. When you become a jockey, you know at some point you’re going to have injuries, but it’s not fair on them. I’ve had a great time, but now I’m loving being a mum.”
The Royals are famously passionate about horses. Harry has received trophies from Princess Anne and knows her daughter, Zara Phillips. “Zara is just a lovely, down-to-earth person who loves horses. My dad met the late Queen Elizabeth—he remembers her asking him excitedly all about how Big Star, his horse, was bred. They have that passion.”
Life Beyond Racing
Away from racing, what do they do for fun? “Point-to-point [a form of amateur horse racing],” laughs Bridget. “It’s what friends and family do, it’s a nice way to catch up with everyone.” Harry is also a cycling enthusiast, but admits the best pleasure is a rare day at home. “We enjoy simple pleasures, like taking our kids out with our two whippets, Milo and Woody.”
Could they imagine a different life—perhaps behind a desk? They both look horrified. “Absolutely not!” declares Bridget. “This life is in our blood!”
To find out more about Harry Skelton and to search for your local racecourse, visit greatbritishracing.com.
