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CHRIS DAWSON: has plenty of exciting young horses in training

A stone's throw from junction 60 of the A1(M) stands Nunstainton Stud, where reigning Yorkshire area champion Chris Dawson trains a string of Pointers, many of them home-bred and as yet unraced. All are for sale, as are the numerous youngsters turned out in the fields.

Relying on grass for working his horses at home, Chris is indebted to the neighbouring trainers who allow the use of their all-weather gallops. John Wade, who Chris helps out during the summer months, is the main benefactor, but Chris Grant and Elaine Smith are also generous with their help. 

Although it is Chris who is responsible for making the decisions, the enterprise is a family affair, with father Chris and mother Rachel (who, judging by the Point-to-Point poem she has written, could give the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy a run for her money) heavily involved, while Chris's girlfriend Abi Makin is very much part of the team. "Everyone has a different input, so it works well," Chris explained.

Younger brother John, who is likely to turn conditional at some stage, works full-time for John Wade, and sister Anna, 18, is one of the country's most promising young female riders. Elder brother Philip's riding is non-competitive, rugby, to which his build is more suited, having taken precedence. After four years at Newcastle University, initially studying accountancy before changing to agri-business management, Chris himself spent a year doing sales preparation with Ted Voute prior to returning home to work for John Wade and to concentrate on the family horses.

Chris Snr rode successfully between the flags, but Rachel decided to hang up her boots after only her fifth outing. She was delighted to have finished fifth in the 4m Ladies' Open at the Middleton, but as her husband was less than complimentary about her effort she elected to concentrate instead on hunting and eventing!

The Dawsons stand two thoroughbred stallions, Dapper and Great Palm. The latter, now 22, has a Group 1 success in Italy to his name, and is a half-brother to Black Tie Affair who won the Breeders' Cup Classic on dirt. His fertility is excellent but due to his age he covers just a few mares each year.

Dapper, who was in training with Henry Cecil but never ran after damaging a knee in an accident on the road, also has two illustrious half-brothers. Alborada twice landed the Group 1 Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket, and Albanova triumphed in three Group 1s in Germany.

Chris will be in demand for outside rides, but retaining his title is not uppermost in his thoughts. Training winners is his priority, but he would also like to reach a century in the saddle - his tally currently stands at 83.

Surprisingly, MOMENT PRESENT is the first Open horse which Chris has ever trained, and is the only one in the yard which is not a maiden. Prior to being purchased by Michael Humphreys, who owned the useful Pointer Supercharmer, he won on the flat and over hurdles. Described by Chris as "a bit buzzy," he needs top of the ground so is unlikely to be out before March. He will need to settle in order to get three miles, so short Hunter Chases could be on his agenda.

SILK AND ROSES was given to the Dawsons by her previous owner "Mac," who used to work for Chris Snr, and who has expressed a desire to see her ridden by all three siblings in turn. She has been hobdayed and is reported to be working well, with her jumping a major asset. She will go to Witton Castle on February 6.

Eight-year-old ASKRIGG ADVENTURE was only broken in the autumn, and it is due to the perseverance of Chris Snr that she is in training. "She was a nightmare to long rein, so it's all down to dad," said Chris. She still tends to be slightly quirky and nervous in the stable, though is improving all the time. She is stabled in a "lucky" box, so fingers are crossed that the success of the previous inmates rubs off on her.

Her full brother ASKRIGG ADMIRAL belongs to the Itsallaboutthebanter syndicate, some of whose members were at university with Philip, and who last year had Chapmans Peak in training with Chris. "When he [Chapmans Peak] finished second at Perth they were cheering so loudly that I could hear them as I came up the run-in," grinned Chris.

The third of the Askrigg clan is the above duo's half-sister ASKRIGG AGAIN, who belongs to Terry Beadle. She is quite fiery and is best working mostly on her own. She is impossible to shoe behind so is shod only on her front feet. Due to having a cough when she arrived she is not as far forward as some of her stablemates but is now cantering every day.

BLANEY BOUNCER had a couple of runs for experience last year and is described as "a serious work horse at home." He had a minor setback last week when coming off second best in an argument with a wire fence and sustaining superficial cuts to a hind leg. "He was too fresh out in the field," explained Chris, "and when he came galloping to the gateway he couldn't stop in time and skidded into the fence."

There are no fewer than eight of Dapper's offspring currently in training. MISS CHATTERBOX comes from the family of Sparky Gayle, and is also related to Jeanette Brakewell's outstanding eventer Over To You. She should be suited initially to 2m4f on a flat track.

The 17.1hh SAINT FROM ABOVE is the quietest horse in the yard. He's very well balanced, despite his size, and is a fantastic hunter. Size is the one thing which Chris feels could be against him - "He may be too big to be a racehorse."

TARTAN TIDY has been placed in unaffiliated eventing classes, so the decision whether to go down that route or try Pointing has not yet been made.

MISS WOOLLEY was bred by her owners Jim and Heather Marks, who have always been great supporters of Chris and who gave him his first outside ride. "I haven't managed to win for them yet but I'd love to train or ride one for them," he said. Miss Woolley will need cut in the ground so will probably run in a Point before trying a Bumper.
An UNNAMED home-bred five-year-old out of Say Sadie has unusual tastebuds. So far he has cost the Dawsons five lightbulbs, having devoured any within reach in his box. He is related to another bred by the Dawsons, Balau, who won Points in the South East for Colin Cheesman. Chris Snr Field-Mastered on Say Sadie, and her dam Ellaron won on the flat.

All the home-breds get a varied education which includes show-jumping and dressage, and the UNNAMED five-year-old out of Tullineaskey Kitty is no exception. This one, "a big softie," has plenty of scope, and is Rachel's favourite.

Another of the UNNAMED five-year-old geldings is out of Larksong, who is half-sister to two Bumper and hurdle winners, although he is currently a bit backward, as is the CHESTNUT whose dam is a sister to Lynne Ward's prolific winning Pointer Wilfie Wild. He was given to Chris by his parents as a 21st birthday present.

Further information on Chris and his horses can be found on his website - www.nunstaintonstud.co.uk.

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