Get ready to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of jumps horse racing in Champions Full Gallop, a gripping must-watch docuseries that offers unmatched access to the sport’s biggest names.
Follow the exhilarating highs and nerve-wracking lows of these top athletes, both equine and human, giving you an intimate look at the dedication and drama that defines the jumps racing scene.
Champions: Full Gallop
Meet The Stars
Nico de Boinville
Nico de Boinville is one of Britain’s most accomplished athletes, but his journey wasn’t all plain sailing. Unlike many in his profession, de Boinville didn’t come from a sports family. His father, an insurance broker, encouraged him to pursue higher education. De Boinville attended Newcastle University to study History and Politics but found university life dull compared to his passion for sports, leaving after six weeks to follow his dream.
He spent a gap year in France gaining invaluable experience before joining top trainer, Nicky Henderson in 2009. Initially, de Boinville had few opportunities, with established stars dominating the stables. After limited chances between 2009 and 2012, he considered returning to France, but Henderson saw his potential.
De Boinville’s breakthrough came in 2012 at Cheltenham. By 2014, he secured his first major win in the Coral Cup aboard Whisper, and in 2015, he won the prestigious Gold Cup on Coneygree.
Throughout his career, de Boinville has ridden exceptional horses like Constitution Hill and maintained a successful partnership with Nicky Henderson.
Instagram: @nicodeboinville
Harry Cobden
A key contributor to the Champions: Full Gallop story, Champion Jump Jockey Harry Cobden joined an illustrious list last month when he lifted the title for the first time.
However, Cobden will say he has more in common with former Grand Tour presenter and motorcar journalist Jeremy Clarkson than he does most Champion Jockeys. The Somerset-born jockey ploughs most of his earnings from racing into his farming business, having set up the venture with the winnings of his first Champion Conditional Jockeys’ title, and Cobden is enjoying farming reaching an all-time popular status.
Cobden has had an eye-wateringly successful season, even by his high standards, and recorded 164 winners this season. However, that number is dwarfed by his herd of cattle at 500 strong and an increasing flock of sheep at 250.
Cobden’s on track credentials, paired with his unusual pastime, that has grown a fanbase thanks to Clarkson’s Farm, means the Champion Jockey is riding the crest of a wave on both fronts and lends his support to highlight causes in both areas.
Instagram: @harrycobden
X: @CobdenHarry
Sean Bowen
Welsh-born Sean Bowen fought Harry Cobden to the wire for the title of Champion Jockey this season, finishing second place for the second year running. The fiery Welshman will be wanting to go one better next year and if anyone has the tenacity to, it’s him.
Coming from good horseracing stock, Bowen’s father is Peter Bowen the revered trainer based in Pembrokeshire. He is also often competing against his brother James [Bowen] who is also a jockey. The pair are best friends and share an incredible bond which largely relies on supporting each other through the tough times as well as the good, seen throughout Full Gallop.
Outside of racing, Bowen is a football lover, and his team of choice is Swansea City. Bowen demonstrated the level of his strength and determination this season, when sidelined for six weeks after he tore his ACL and MCL on Boxing Day. An intense period of rehab meant he was able to return to race riding when civilians would only just be trying to walk unaided.
Instagram: @sean_bowen_
X: @Sean_Bowen_
Harry Skelton
They say horses are a family affair, and that is certainly true of the Skeltons. Champion Jump Jockey Harry Skelton and his family are deeply entrenched in all thing’s horses and racing.
Skelton’s father [Nick Skelton] is a decorated Olympian in show jumping having won gold medals in the London and Rio games. Skelton’s brother Dan is a prolific racehorse trainer and has notched up 10 Cheltenham Festival winners in the last eight years. It doesn’t stop there, though, as his wife is fellow jockey Bridget Andrews. The pair have just welcomed their first child together and as racing pedigrees go, it doesn’t get much stronger than that!
Away from racing, Skelton remains fit by cycling across the country. He has undertaken 24-hour cycling challenges for charity and gets on his bike whenever he can. Skelton has become a standout star of the sport in the past few years, and his profile in and out of the saddle is on the rise with regular appearances on ITV and other broadcast channels.
Instagram: @hskelton89
Gavin Sheehan
There must have been something in the water on the estate that Gavin Sheehan grew up in on the outskirts of West Cork, as it was also home to Manchester United legend Roy Keane. For that reason, Sheehan still supports the Manchester club and follows the sport passionately along with hurling and golf.
Gavin is an all-round talented sportsperson, and his love of golf has led to him playing off a single figure handicap (8) and he has since taken up skiing which he will no doubt soon dominate too.
Sheehan has had an incredible season finishing fifth in the Jump Jockeys Championship and recording a landmark win in the King George. He partnered with eight-hundred-euro horse of the moment, Hewick to win the main event on Boxing Day.
Instagram: @sheehan_gavin
Bryony Frost
Bryony Frost’s passion for horses began early in life. Growing up in a racing family, she is the daughter of retired jockey Jimmy Frost. Her ambition was evident from the start and that drive to win can be seen throughout Champions: Full Gallop.
Frost’s early achievements include winning 50 races and becoming the Devon and Cornwall pony racing champion multiple times. At 16, she rode in her first point-to-point race, eventually winning 56 races and nine Hunter Chases.
In March 2019, Frost made history as the first woman to win a top-level race at the Cheltenham Festival, riding Frodon to victory in the Ryanair Chase. By 2020, she had recorded her 175th win and claimed a stunning victory in the King George VI Chase.
As of May 2024, Frost has joined Simon Muir and Isaac Souede’s racing operation in France. She is also focused on building her own stud farm in Buckfastleigh, Devon, with plans to syndicate horses trained by her father.
Instagram: @officialbryonyfrost
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