Mathew Dawson
Encyclopedia
Mathew Dawson was a British racehorse trainer. In a career which lasted from 1840 until his death in 1898 he trained the winners of twenty-eight British Classic Races, a figure surpassed by only two other men. He was significant as one of the first trainers to run a public stable, rather than being the employee of a wealthy patron. He was based for most of his career at Newmarket, Suffolk. His first name is sometimes recorded as "Matthew", but "Mathew" is more usual.
, Haddingtonshire in 1820. His father George Dawson, his elder brother Thomas and his younger brother John were all racehorse trainers. He was apprenticed to his father and worked in 1838 for his brother Thomas at his stables at Middleham
, North Yorkshire
.
and William Hope Johnstone. His most important winner in this period was The Era, who won the Northumberland Plate
in 1845. He also sent a horse called Pathfinder to run in the Epsom Derby
, but the horse finished last, almost a furlong
behind the other runners.
In 1846, Dawson moved to England to become the stud manager and private trainer for Lord John Scott at Yew Tree Cottage at Compton, Berkshire
. While working for Scott he recorded his first Royal Ascot win in 1851 and trained his first Classic winner when Catherine Hayes won the Epsom Oaks
in 1853. When Scott sold his horses to James Merry
in 1857, Dawson continued to train them, but moved his base to Russley Park, near Lambourn
. For Merry, Dawson trained Sunbeam to win the St Leger in 1858 and Thormanby to win the 1860 Derby.
In 1866, Dawson move to Newmarket, basing himself first at St Mary’s Square and then Heath House, where he had his greatest successes. His first important owners were the Dukes of Newcastle and Hamilton, but they were soon succeeded by Lord Falmouth. For Falmouth, Dawson trained the winners of fourteen classics between 1870 and 1883 including two Derbies with Kingcraft and Silvio. During this period he was also closely involved with the jockey Fred Archer who came to Dawson as an apprentice in 1868 and became his stable jockey in 1874. Other important owners sent their horses to Dawson included the Duke of Portland, for whom he trained St. Simon, who was ineligible for the Classics but was regarded by Dawson as the best horse he ever trained. Dawson trained a fourth Derby winner when Lord Hastings’ colt Melton won in 1885.
In 1885, Dawson retired from large-scale training and moved to Exning Manor, which he renamed Melton House. Although he was now in charge of a much smaller number of horses, Dawson continued to have considerable success, winning Classics with the fillies Mimi and Minthe and sending out Minting to win the Grand Prix de Paris
.
By 1891 Dawson intended to retire completely, but was persuaded to handle a few horses for Lord Rosebery
. Now in his seventies, and often unable to walk because of chronic gout
, Dawson won a further four Classics for Rosebery, including successive Derby winners in 1894 (Sir Visto
) and 1895 (Ladas
).
Mathew Dawson died at Newmarket on 20 August 1898. It was said of him that in an era in which the sport was often tainted by corruption and dishonesty, he left behind "a reputation which an archbishop might envy."
and Donovan
.
Background
Dawson was born at his family’s home Stamford Hall, GullaneGullane
Gullane is a town on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian on the east coast of Scotland. There has been a church in the village since the 9th century. The ruins of the Old Church of St...
, Haddingtonshire in 1820. His father George Dawson, his elder brother Thomas and his younger brother John were all racehorse trainers. He was apprenticed to his father and worked in 1838 for his brother Thomas at his stables at Middleham
Middleham
Middleham is a small market town and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales, on the north-facing side of the valley just above the junction of the River Ure and River Cover. There has been a settlement there since Roman...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
.
Training career
Dawson began training racehorses in Scotland in 1840, where his main patrons were Lord KelburnJames Carr-Boyle, 5th Earl of Glasgow
Captain James Carr-Boyle, 5th Earl of Glasgow , styled Viscount of Kelburn until 1843, was a British naval commander and politician.-Background:...
and William Hope Johnstone. His most important winner in this period was The Era, who won the Northumberland Plate
Northumberland Plate
The Northumberland Plate is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of 2 miles and 19 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.-History:The event was established in...
in 1845. He also sent a horse called Pathfinder to run in the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, but the horse finished last, almost a furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
behind the other runners.
In 1846, Dawson moved to England to become the stud manager and private trainer for Lord John Scott at Yew Tree Cottage at Compton, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. While working for Scott he recorded his first Royal Ascot win in 1851 and trained his first Classic winner when Catherine Hayes won the Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
in 1853. When Scott sold his horses to James Merry
James Merry
James Merry is a British actor best known for his appearances in the British daytime soap opera Doctors.-Early Life and Training:...
in 1857, Dawson continued to train them, but moved his base to Russley Park, near Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
. For Merry, Dawson trained Sunbeam to win the St Leger in 1858 and Thormanby to win the 1860 Derby.
In 1866, Dawson move to Newmarket, basing himself first at St Mary’s Square and then Heath House, where he had his greatest successes. His first important owners were the Dukes of Newcastle and Hamilton, but they were soon succeeded by Lord Falmouth. For Falmouth, Dawson trained the winners of fourteen classics between 1870 and 1883 including two Derbies with Kingcraft and Silvio. During this period he was also closely involved with the jockey Fred Archer who came to Dawson as an apprentice in 1868 and became his stable jockey in 1874. Other important owners sent their horses to Dawson included the Duke of Portland, for whom he trained St. Simon, who was ineligible for the Classics but was regarded by Dawson as the best horse he ever trained. Dawson trained a fourth Derby winner when Lord Hastings’ colt Melton won in 1885.
In 1885, Dawson retired from large-scale training and moved to Exning Manor, which he renamed Melton House. Although he was now in charge of a much smaller number of horses, Dawson continued to have considerable success, winning Classics with the fillies Mimi and Minthe and sending out Minting to win the Grand Prix de Paris
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
.
By 1891 Dawson intended to retire completely, but was persuaded to handle a few horses for Lord Rosebery
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, KG, PC was a British Liberal statesman and Prime Minister. Between the death of his father, in 1851, and the death of his grandfather, the 4th Earl, in 1868, he was known by the courtesy title of Lord Dalmeny.Rosebery was a Liberal Imperialist who...
. Now in his seventies, and often unable to walk because of chronic gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
, Dawson won a further four Classics for Rosebery, including successive Derby winners in 1894 (Sir Visto
Sir Visto
Sir Visto was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1894 to 1896 he ran thirteen times and won three races. As a three-year-old in the 1895 he won both the Epsom Derby and the St Leger at Doncaster...
) and 1895 (Ladas
Ladas (horse)
Ladas was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1893 to 1894 he ran eleven times and won seven races. He was the outstanding British two-year-old of 1893 when he was unbeaten in four starts. In the following year he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby...
).
Mathew Dawson died at Newmarket on 20 August 1898. It was said of him that in an era in which the sport was often tainted by corruption and dishonesty, he left behind "a reputation which an archbishop might envy."
Family
Mathew Dawson married Mary Rose (d. 1895) in 1844. The couple had no children. Dawson’s nephew, George Dawson, took over Heath House after his uncle’s “retirement” and trained the winners of ten Classics including AyrshireAyrshire (horse)
Ayrshire was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1883 to 1885 he ran sixteen times and won eleven races. After winning five races as a two-year-old he became the leading British three-year-old colt of 1884 when he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby...
and Donovan
Donovan (horse)
Donovan was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1947 to 1948 he ran twenty-one times and won eighteen races. He was the leading British two-year-old of 1888 when he won eleven of hifs thirteen starts...
.