Age: 17
Principal Trainer: Charles O’Brien
While Ray Dawson may only have four winners to his name in his young career, he has already shown himself to a confident and stylish rider that looks sure to make a notable impact this season and beyond.
Early Days
A native of Celbridge in Co. Kildare, Ray Dawson is a nephew of well-known bookmaker and owner Luke McMahon. Like so many top riders before him, Dawson gained his first competitive racing experience on the pony racing circuit and from there, he joined the Straffan yard of Charles O’Brien. Not long turned 16, he took his first racecourse ride on October 11th 2009, riding the O’Brien-trained Concrete And Clay to finish down the field in an apprentice handicap at the Curragh.
Off The Mark
While he didn’t have another ride in 2009, his very first one in 2010 yielded a win, with him riding the O’Brien-trained Polar Explorer to a cosy success in a 5f handicap at Tipperary on April 15th. He doubled his tally just four weeks later, riding the O’Brien-trained Lady Montague to win an apprentice handicap at Naas. Including those two wins, Dawson only took a total of 18 rides during the whole of 2010, but the experience he gained would stand him in good stead in 2011.
Dawson didn’t waste any time getting off the mark in 2011, giving the O’Brien-trained Mount Abora a very polished ride to win a handicap at Cork on April 23rd. He doubled his tally for the season just over a fortnight later, riding the Eddie Lynam-trained Words Of Wisdom to success in a handicap at Leopardstown.
With Ray Dawson currently coming to the attention of a wide variety of trainers, his work rate can be expected to increase notably in the weeks ahead and winners are sure to follow. He is a rider very much keeping on the right side of.
