Embedded Files
Nick Dawe
Nick Dawe
Nicholas John Dawe was born in Tavistock, Devon, on December 19, 1961. He served his apprenticeship with John Dunlop at Arundel and made a perfect start by winning on his racecourse debut at Folkestone on May 15, 1979, when Isthatchew won the Lyminge Apprentice Handicap, taking the lead over a furlong out and holding on to win by a neck.
Nicholas John Dawe was born in Tavistock, Devon, on December 19, 1961. He served his apprenticeship with John Dunlop at Arundel and made a perfect start by winning on his racecourse debut at Folkestone on May 15, 1979, when Isthatchew won the Lyminge Apprentice Handicap, taking the lead over a furlong out and holding on to win by a neck.
Nick recalled it was a hot May afternoon and all the races that day were started by flag due to a stalls handlers’ strike.
Nick recalled it was a hot May afternoon and all the races that day were started by flag due to a stalls handlers’ strike.
In September that year he won the Eve Apprentice Handicap at Yarmouth on Dunlop’s veteran Traquair, a great ride for apprentices learning their trade. Then in 1980 he won three more races on the popular 11-year-old, landing handicaps at Brighton, Goodwood and Newmarket. Other good wins came on Cannon's King and Leopards Rock.
In September that year he won the Eve Apprentice Handicap at Yarmouth on Dunlop’s veteran Traquair, a great ride for apprentices learning their trade. Then in 1980 he won three more races on the popular 11-year-old, landing handicaps at Brighton, Goodwood and Newmarket. Other good wins came on Cannon's King and Leopards Rock.
Looking to gain further experience, Nick went to Belmont Park in New York during January and February 1981, staying for eight weeks, riding work on the track for top trainer Angel Penna.
Looking to gain further experience, Nick went to Belmont Park in New York during January and February 1981, staying for eight weeks, riding work on the track for top trainer Angel Penna.
He won a total of 23 races on the Flat in Britain, his best season being in 1982 when riding nine winners. He also rode a winner for Sheikh Mohammed at Sterrebeek, Belgium, on a three-year-old filly called Daha, trained by John Dunlop, in the Prix Vol Au Vent, on June 4, 1983, winning by 25 lengths. She was American bred from a family of dirt winners.
He won a total of 23 races on the Flat in Britain, his best season being in 1982 when riding nine winners. He also rode a winner for Sheikh Mohammed at Sterrebeek, Belgium, on a three-year-old filly called Daha, trained by John Dunlop, in the Prix Vol Au Vent, on June 4, 1983, winning by 25 lengths. She was American bred from a family of dirt winners.
Nick rode 30 winners in Cyprus during winters of 1982/83, 83/84 and 84/85, plus two winners and a second from three rides on the Isle of Man for Chichester-based trainer Peter Haynes.
Nick rode 30 winners in Cyprus during winters of 1982/83, 83/84 and 84/85, plus two winners and a second from three rides on the Isle of Man for Chichester-based trainer Peter Haynes.
He thoroughly enjoyed his time with John Dunlop, but once he had lost his claim he found himself faced with a near impossible situation. Aged 24, he was having trouble with his weight, and his career was going nowhere. He tried his luck over jumps, having his first ride under National Hunt rules at Plumpton on November 11, 1985, when Turntable finished tailed off in the Friends of St Francis Hospital Handicap Hurdle.
He thoroughly enjoyed his time with John Dunlop, but once he had lost his claim he found himself faced with a near impossible situation. Aged 24, he was having trouble with his weight, and his career was going nowhere. He tried his luck over jumps, having his first ride under National Hunt rules at Plumpton on November 11, 1985, when Turntable finished tailed off in the Friends of St Francis Hospital Handicap Hurdle.
He decided he’d had enough and was all set to leave racing behind and help his brother converting barns back in Devon. But instead, following an eight-month stint riding work for Martin Pipe, in September 1987 he found himself at Lilstock Racing Stables in Kilve, Somerset, the base for trainer Jacqui Thorne, who had taken over the licence from her father John Thorne following his death in 1986.
He decided he’d had enough and was all set to leave racing behind and help his brother converting barns back in Devon. But instead, following an eight-month stint riding work for Martin Pipe, in September 1987 he found himself at Lilstock Racing Stables in Kilve, Somerset, the base for trainer Jacqui Thorne, who had taken over the licence from her father John Thorne following his death in 1986.
Having renewed his jump jockey’s licence, Nick had his first success over fences for Jacqui at Wincanton on November 26, 1987, when the seven-year-old Imperial Champagne repelled the challenge of Numerate by three-quarters of a length to land the valuable Lord Stalbridge Memorial Gold Cup. A length further back in third place was Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, later to win that season’s Grand National.
Having renewed his jump jockey’s licence, Nick had his first success over fences for Jacqui at Wincanton on November 26, 1987, when the seven-year-old Imperial Champagne repelled the challenge of Numerate by three-quarters of a length to land the valuable Lord Stalbridge Memorial Gold Cup. A length further back in third place was Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, later to win that season’s Grand National.
Jacqui Thorne trained all bar one of Nick’s wins over jumps. Another valuable prize that went their way was the Royal Fern Novices’ Chase at Ascot on April 13, 1991, when the six-year-old Arctic Baron took the lead on the Flat and beat A Lad Insane by a length.
Jacqui Thorne trained all bar one of Nick’s wins over jumps. Another valuable prize that went their way was the Royal Fern Novices’ Chase at Ascot on April 13, 1991, when the six-year-old Arctic Baron took the lead on the Flat and beat A Lad Insane by a length.
He rode his last two winners at Taunton in the autumn of 1992, by which time Nick had married Jacqui. Both those wins came on Powder Boy, the last of them in the Haygrass Handicap Chase, beating Mick Fitzgerald on Height Of Fun by two and a half lengths.
He rode his last two winners at Taunton in the autumn of 1992, by which time Nick had married Jacqui. Both those wins came on Powder Boy, the last of them in the Haygrass Handicap Chase, beating Mick Fitzgerald on Height Of Fun by two and a half lengths.
While Jacqui held the licence, the training was very much a joint venture. In addition, in July 1991 they had opened a tea garden about a mile away, just off the A39 Bridgwater to Minehead road. For about 18 months they combined the two businesses.
While Jacqui held the licence, the training was very much a joint venture. In addition, in July 1991 they had opened a tea garden about a mile away, just off the A39 Bridgwater to Minehead road. For about 18 months they combined the two businesses.
With the number of horses in the yard having dwindled, along with Jacqui being pregnant with their first child, they wound down the training side to focus full-time on the Chantry Tea Gardens, which they soon developed into a thriving business, as it remains today.
With the number of horses in the yard having dwindled, along with Jacqui being pregnant with their first child, they wound down the training side to focus full-time on the Chantry Tea Gardens, which they soon developed into a thriving business, as it remains today.
Nick Dawe’s winners over jumps were, in chronological order:
Nick Dawe’s winners over jumps were, in chronological order:
1. Imperial Champagne, Wincanton, November 26, 1987
1. Imperial Champagne, Wincanton, November 26, 1987
2. Recollect, Wincanton, February 9, 1989
2. Recollect, Wincanton, February 9, 1989
3. Ferocious Knight, Newton Abbot, August 10, 1989
3. Ferocious Knight, Newton Abbot, August 10, 1989
4. Recollect, Worcester, October 7, 1989
4. Recollect, Worcester, October 7, 1989
5. Raglan Road, Wincanton, April 1, 1991
5. Raglan Road, Wincanton, April 1, 1991
6. Arctic Baron, Ascot, April 13, 1991
6. Arctic Baron, Ascot, April 13, 1991
7. Jadidh, Devon & Exeter, November 26, 1991
7. Jadidh, Devon & Exeter, November 26, 1991
8. Arctic Baron, Stratford-on-Avon, May 15, 1992
8. Arctic Baron, Stratford-on-Avon, May 15, 1992
9. Powder Boy, Taunton, October 15, 1992
9. Powder Boy, Taunton, October 15, 1992
10. Powder Boy, Taunton, November 12, 1992
10. Powder Boy, Taunton, November 12, 1992
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse