Surrey born and bred Sarah Dawson’s blue, pink and white colours have been a regular feature on the pointing circuit for 30 years, firstly with Sarah herself in the saddle – mostly at Tweseldown – in the 1990s and more recently trained to a number of wins from the likes of Gauvain, Qrackers and Queen Olivia by Victoria Collins. Sarah (second left, with Victoria to her right, after Gauvain and Qrackers completed a double at Eyton-on-Severn) talked to Jake Exelby about how she got involved in the sport, why she loves it so much, and her intentions to become a successful owner-breeder.
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
I had two ambitions growing up. One was to become a nurse and the other was to ride in point-to-points. I used to go to every Tweseldown meeting as a child. My sisters and I would hide in the rhododendron bushes and play in the tunnel under the course. They were amazing memories.
The first pointer I bought was Mr Mouse. He was a poppet on the racecourse but hated hunting – in the days when you had to qualify them properly. Taking him out was my biggest fear – the first time, I was asked to go home after an hour and I only got his ticket by going when the meet was frosted or rained off!
I advertised him for sale and Steven Astaire rang me up and said we’d share the rides on him and Rocamist, who Steven owned. I went to see his trainer Chris Loggin and was jumping within half an hour. Chris and (much missed former jockey and valet) David Sunderland taught me everything I know. Rocamist was my first ride in a point, at Tweseldown in 1990.
Who have been your favourite horses?
Phelioff. He used to beat me when Tabitha Cave was riding him, so I bought him with Dr Julien Leigh, who was director of the Guildford intensive care unit, where I worked as a nurse. I only won twice on him, but coming back into the enclosure (usually behind Alison Dare!) was success enough for me. Also Grand Value, who gave me my first ever winner at my beloved Tweseldown in 1995, which was my best year – I won the South Midlands and Sandhurst Area novice rider award.
Sarah winning on Grand Value at Tweseldown - with Mum and Dad cheering in the background!
As an owner, I try not to have favourites, but it’s difficult to look beyond Queen Olivia, who we sadly lost recently. We have her filly yearling by Jack Hobbs, who we call Wicket. I also have Gold Leader, who is Queen Olivia’s niece.
Queen Olivia and Wicket
Tell me about your burgeoning breeding operation.
I don’t know how I got into bloodstock. When I met Victoria – who’s an amazing horsewoman and under-rated as a trainer – I only had one horse, but since then I’ve bred a few and kept them. As a breeder, my best finish so far is fourth, which was amazing. I’d thrive on my first home-bred winner.
Which jockeys have you most admired?
Before I started riding, Jenny Pidgeon. I remember her on the likes of Zarajeff – I even got her autograph once! From my era, the likes of Polly Curling and Alison Dare. She was a great rider and a lovely person who always had time for you.
Jenny Pidgeon (centre) - autograph hunted!
What do you love about point-to-pointing?
I’m an adrenalin junkie, which is probably also why I worked as an intensive care nurse! Nothing’s better than going flat out over a fence – even hunting, which terrified me until I met Victoria, who puts me on well-mannered horses!
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
It was always hysterical when Polly Curling was in the changing room. There was a lot of swearing and you’d clear off if she’d had a bad result! Looking back, the changing room banter is what I miss most about riding.
Sarah on her way out to ride at Tweseldown
What's been the highlight of your time in the sport?
As a rider, winning the Zarajeff Cup on Phelioff with Jenny Pidgeon presenting the prize.
As an owner, nearly winning the AGA-sponsored owners championship.
What are your ambitions in pointing?
I’d love to provide enough ammunition for Victoria to win the small (seven horses or fewer) trainers championship but I don’t think it will happen.
What changes have you seen during your time? For better, for worse?
Sponsorship has changed beyond all recognition. And the coverage of the sport is fantastic, although it always seems to be about the same people and needs to focus more on the smaller owners and riders. I used to report myself after I finished race-riding. Getting paid for speaking to someone like John Dufosee was a privilege.
However, the sport has become so expensive, especially the cost of buying horses out of Ireland. I paid £8,000 for Gauvain – he’d probably cost £25,000 now.
What do you think about professional trainers running in Hunter Chases?
I get fed up with people moaning about it. We choose to put our horses with amateur trainers and for amateur jockeys to ride them. If we then choose to go and play in a professional field, Hunter Chasing, then we do so knowing we are going to a professional meeting on a professional course and are privileged to be doing so as amateurs. If we decide to go and play in the big boys’ playground then we need to be prepared to take them on. However this is why point-to-points, where licenced trainers are not eligible, are so important.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d allow judges to use a camera – they have four or five under rules and it’s important for a sport where so much rests on a win. I’ve been assistant judge a few times and love it but – when you’re standing in a box, it’s impossible to judge the first four past the post as well as the distances in a close finish.
What do you think the impact of lockdown on pointing will be?
It’s hard to say and I wish I had a crystal ball! Personally, I’ll have more horses in training – I have six maidens. I bred the horses and I’ve wasted my money if I don’t pursue them. Take Flick The Switch – I want to run him because I’ve got two of his sisters at home.
What are you most looking forward to about next season?
Getting going and not having an interrupted season. The race programme looks fantastic, with as balanced a year as we’ve ever had. Peter Wright has been great for the sport.
Last season’s racing was superb and did pointing proud, with top horses, jockeys and trainers. Luckily, I had horses good enough to go Hunter Chasing. But it’s also really important to think about Conditions races and contests for smaller owners and riders.
Who do you expect to do well?
I hope it’ll be Sarah Dawson and Victoria Collins! I have a Maiden – Welsh Rarebit – who I’m excited about. He’s got good form in novice hurdles and would be my “milk bottle” horses. I’ve also got a nice mare, China Flower, who’ll have benefitted from a break.
What are your non-horse racing hobbies?
I’m massively into golf. My handicap has been as low as 14 and I’m on 19 now – I play two or three times a week. I love being competitive and still miss race-riding.
Who are your non-racing heroes?
All the intensive care nurses working through the pandemic – it was hard enough when I did it. I put myself forward to go back and help, but I’d been out too long.