Meet the Stars of Champions Full Gallop Series Two
Meet the Stars of Champions Full Gallop - Season 2
Ahead of the return of Champions Full Gallop on Friday 17th October, get to know some of the stars set to feature heavily throughout the gripping docuseries. From established names to emerging talents, follow all of the twists and turns of Britain’s very best jockeys on ITV and ITVX.
Nico De Boinville
Age: 36
Wins: 791
Prize Money: £15.2m
With more Grade One victories than any other active British jump jockey, Nico de Boinville, 35, is the epitome of class in the saddle. His partnership with legendary trainer Nicky Henderson has produced extraordinary success, making them one of the most formidable duos in the sport.
De Boinville has been the trusted jockey for some of the finest horses in jump racing including legends like Constitution Hill, Sprinter Sacre and Altior.
Before turning his full attention to racing, de Boinville briefly studied History and Politics at Newcastle University, which has earned him a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in the weighing room.
In Champions: Full Gallop, viewers get a closer look at the quiet determination, unique humour, and charm that defines him. From home life with his young family, to race day tactics in the paddock, the series follows Nico as he continues to chase success and new milestones.
Harry Skelton
Age: 35
Wins: 1422
Prize Money: £20m
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Harry Skelton, 35, is a leading British Jump jockey, having achieved the Champion Jockey title in 2020/21 and winning the 2025 Jockey’s Cup, claiming the £500,000 prize fund. Success is not new to him as he has been immersed in the sport from an early age, growing up in a household where horses and winning are a way of life.
His father, Nick Skelton, is a legendary Olympian, winning multiple gold medals in show jumping. And his brother, Dan Skelton, has made his mark as a top racehorse trainer, who contributes to much of Harry’s success.
Beyond the racecourse, Skelton stays in peak condition by cycling, having previously taken on a 24-hour charity rides and covering long distances whenever he can. His commitment to fitness and racing excellence has propelled him to stardom, both in and out of the saddle.
In the last season of Champions: Full Gallop, viewers watched as Harry Skelton’s brother, Dan, narrowly missed out on the trainer’s title at Sandown – on the very same day Harry and his wife Bridget Andrews welcomed their baby boy Rory to the world. That moment marked a turning point, giving Harry a renewed sense of purpose and drive.
With the Jockeys’ Cup offering a £500,000 prize, Harry was more motivated than ever. Viewers can follow his journey as he builds momentum, delivering strong performances and claims a life-changing win for his young family.
Sean Bowen
Age: 28
Wins: 1143
Prize Money: £12.8m
Sean Bowen, originally from Little Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, hails from a prominent racing family. His father, Peter, is a former trainer, with his brother Mickey now having taken over the license. And his brother, James Bowen is a fellow jockey meaning the pair are often found competing on the track, but off it, they share an unbreakable bond, supporting each other through victories and setbacks.
Sean, 28, began his career with notable early success; he was crowned Champion Conditional Jockey in 2014–15. He secured his first Grade 1 victory in 2019 aboard If The Cap Fits in the Liverpool Hurdle and added another in 2021 with Metier in the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle.
A standout star of ITV’s Champions: Full Gallop series one, Sean captivated audiences as he battled for the Championship and came heartbreakingly close to the top. He was leading the Jump Jockeys’ Championship, until a brutal fall at Aintree on Boxing Day left him sidelined for six crucial weeks. A serious injury cost him his momentum, and ultimately, the title. Harry Cobden swept past to take the crown, while Sean was forced to watch from the sidelines.
This season, he was back, and on fire. Now fully recovered, the Welshman was hungrier than ever and was willing to do everything in his power to get claim the championship that slipped through his fingers. Viewers can watch as Sean goes from strength to strength in his quest to claim the prize that evaded his grasp last time around.
Harry Cobden
Age: 26
Wins: 1001
Prize Money: £18m
Harry Cobden, 26, etched his name into the history books in the 2023/24 season, joining an elite group of Champion Jump Jockeys after a fierce season-long battle with Sean Bowen, as seen in Season One of Champions Full Gallop. Riding for legendary trainer Paul Nicholls, the pair continuously form a dominant duo that reminds racing fans why their partnership is one of the most formidable in the sport.
Off the track, Cobden is grounded, spending his spare time working on the family farm in Somerset. Much of his winnings are reinvested into the farm and a growing property portfolio, proving he’s got an eye for life beyond the saddle.
But don’t be fooled by the mud and wellies, Cobden can scrub up well. He recently featured in Tatler magazine, exuding ‘main character energy’ as he prepared for the Grand National.
While he wasn’t chasing the title this season, Cobden still delivered big wins, and big charm. In Champions: Full Gallop season two, ‘Hollywood Harry’ will be back, and viewers can enjoy the familiar laid-back charisma, quick wit, and ever present smile.
Freddie Gingell
Age: 19
Wins: 82
Prize Money: £1.3m
Current Champion Apprentice, Freddie Gingell, has gone from strength to strength since claiming his first Grade 1 victory at just 17 years old, for his uncle Joe Tizzard. For Freddie and his family this wasn’t just a win but the start of something special.
Freddie, 19, was born into racing, his grandfather, the legendary Colin Tizzard, trained a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. His late mother and uncle continued to prove success under the family name. Although this undoubtably offered him a great kickstart, Freddie’s journey hasn’t been easy. He lost his mum to cancer at just 12 years old, a devastating loss that left a huge hole but motivated him more than ever to do her proud.
Now Freddie is making his own mark on the sport and viewers get front row seats to see his amazing success and growth in ITV’s Champions: Full Gallop. From his win in the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup on Il Ridoto to claiming the Champion Apprentice title, Freddie is a rising star.
Gavin Sheehan
Age: 33
Wins: 882
Prize Money: £9.9m
Gavin Sheehan, is an accomplished Irish jump jockey, known for his tactical riding and consistent performances at the highest level. With major victories under his belt, including the prestigious King George VI Chase, he’s built a reputation as one of the most respected riders on the British and Irish National Hunt circuits.
Over the years, he’s partnered with top trainers and risen through the ranks. But recently, life off the track has shifted too, fatherhood has added a new layer of purpose and challenge, as Gavin now balances family life with the demands of racing.
In Champions: Full Gallop series two, viewers can follow Gavin through this next chapter, as he joins fellow dads Nico de Boinville and Harry Skelton in the pursuit of racing glory. The series offers an intimate look at what it takes to stay at the top, both in the saddle and at home.
Lorcan Williams
Age: 25
Wins: 158
Prize Money: £2.5m
Hailing from West Wales, Lorcan Williams, 23, has steadily carved out a name for himself in the competitive world of jump racing. After transitioning from a successful point-to-point background, he turned professional in 2015 and quickly became a rising talent to watch.
Known for his resilience, quiet determination, and tactical ability in the saddle, Lorcan has earned regular rides in high-stakes races and built a reputation as a reliable young jockey in the sport. His growing partnership with trainer Jeremy Scott has become a cornerstone of his recent success, one built on trust, hard work, and a shared hunger for big wins.
In the upcoming Champions: Full Gallop series two, viewers will see Lorcan’s story take centre stage. From the early mornings to the high-pressure moments on race day, the series follows his steady rise, and delivery of a standout moment, as an unexpected and emotional victory brings long-overdue recognition to his tireless work ethic.
It’s a breakthrough that surprises the crowds but not those who know him best. For Lorcan Williams, it’s hopefully a sign of what’s still to come.
Brian Hughes
Age: 40
Wins: 1932
Prize Money: £18.3m
From his first winner on a small track in Ireland to becoming Britain’s Champion Jump Jockey three times in 2019/20, 2021/22 and 2022/23, Brian Hughes’s journey is built on hard work and quiet determination. At 40 years old, he isn’t showing signs of slowing down.
Now based in North Yorkshire with his wife and two children, Brian is known by his weighing room colleagues as the ‘King of the North’ and he has built a reputation as the ultimate professional. Impressively, he rode over 100 winners consecutively for ten seasons from 2024/15 to 2023/24 and has been crowned Champion Jockey three times, a title only the very best in the sport achieve. In 2022 he joined a select club of jockeys to break the 200-winner mark in a single season, putting him alongside legends like Sir AP McCoy.
Despite all the success, Brian is known for his humility and grounded outlook. He still credits his family and upbringing for keeping him focused, and away from the racetrack he’s happiest spending time with his children.
Craig Nichol
Age: 31
Wins: 343
Prize Money: £3.5m
Craig Nichol, 31, grew up in the Scottish Borders, where horses were always part of life and the dream of becoming a jockey took hold early. He has gone on to ride over 300 winners and establish himself as one of the North’s most trusted and hardworking riders.
Never one to shout about himself, Craig is known for his resilience. Racing has its highs and lows, and he speaks openly about how tough it can be when the rides and winners aren’t flowing. Yet his response has always been the same: dig in, work harder, and wait for the next chance.
In Champions: Full Gallop series two, viewers will see that determination up close as Craig battles setbacks and hunts for success at one of the sport’s biggest days racing in the North, at the Musselburgh Cheltenham Festival Trials meeting. It’s an honest look at a rider who embodies grit and perseverance, qualities that make his journey compelling far beyond the racetrack.
Ross Chapman
Age: 29
Wins: 184
Prize Money: £1.6m
From a County Durham farming family, Ross recalls learning to ride ponies before he could even walk.
The adrenaline of sport keeps him on his toes, whether it’s galloping down the back straight at Musselburgh or skiing a steep black run in the mountains, his love of speed is real.
Over the years, Ross, 29, has built a strong partnership with trainer Rebecca Menzies, celebrating plenty of winners together. The pair have become a formidable combination in the North.
In Champions: Full Gallop, Ross faces one of the biggest days of racing in the North. But can he land the victory that could secure him a chance to ride on one of the sport’s grandest stages?
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