Robin Dawson
A varied and colourful career in the horse racing industry, Robin has a unique and personal view of the sport.
Born in Kolkata, India in 1954, and educated in England at Eton College, Robin’s racing career began in 1971 in Chantilly, France. After working for leading trainers around the world, Robin settled in Canada, where he trained on the Ontario circuit.
Robin’s career morphed from riding and training to radio and print; sharing his views on the sport to millions. He was recognized for his talented work by winning the acclaimed Eclipse Award for “Outstanding Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing”.
Splitting his time between Toronto and Northern Ontario, Robin enjoys many hobbies including cooking and golf, and is often found walking with his energetic, four-legged sidekick “Mookie”; a young cocker spaniel. Continuing to follow the world of thoroughbred racing, Robin is presently writing the sequel to Last Hurrah, titled Settling the Score.
Click on any of the categories below to reveal details.
1971 / 1972
Pupil ‘Stagière’ with Alec Head, Chantilly France
– best horses, Pistol Packer, Lyphard, Riverman
1972 / 1973
Pupil with Sir Noel Murless, Warren Place, Newmarket, UK.
– best horse Mysterious
1973 / 1974
Pupil with Frank Cundell, Aston-Tirrold, UK.
Met and got to know Dick Francis, riding out.
1974 / 1975
Stable lad with Ecurie Parrish, Bordeaux-la-Teste, France, for Pip Payne
1975
Exercise rider for Steve DiMauro, Belmont Park, USA.
Best horses Wajima, Dearly Precious.
1976
Travelling-head-Lad for Scobie Breasley, Chantilly, France.
Best horses Kesar Queen, Hunza Dancer, Ellora, Kala Shikari, Java Rajah.
1978 / 1979
Emigrated to Canada. Exercise rider for John Tammaro at Woodbine, Toronto.
Best horses Steady Growth (Queen’s Plate, Arlington Classic etc.), Amerigirl, galloped both.
1980 / 1983
Trained on Ontario circuit including Greenwood, Woodbine, and Fort Erie; wintering at Payson Park, Florida.
First Winner was ‘Arikarin’, at Greenwood, in November 1980.
1984-1995
Founder and Managing Director of Interhay Canada Ltd. Supplied premium hay, oats, alfalfa and high protein feed for horses, cattle and sheep. Contracts with leading horse trainers in Florida, the UK, France, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Japan.
1994 / 1997
Creator of Racing with Magee, a daily program on horse racing on Sports Radio TheFAN 590.
Michael Magee and Robin Dawson co-hosted, bringing a vast wealth of insight, and humor, to the fans while covering Race Days.
1996
Eclipse Award for “Outstanding Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing”.
The program was called, “The Whip in Racing”; not surprisingly, a controversial subject.
Click to Listen to audio clips. It is broken into 2 parts.
1996
Breeder’s Cup: simulcast co-host with with Harvey Pack and Steve Crist.
This was the only year that the event has been held outside of the USA.
1999 / 2002
A racing correspondent for The National Post newspaper in Canada.
Published articles on various focuses from The Kentucky Derby to the Loss of Revenue in Racing.
Qualified Chef
Graduated with honours from the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College, Toronto, Canada in 2013. Now a qualified chef – guaranteed not to poison anyone!
Volunteer
Volunteer chef at Toronto homeless shelter “The Stop” and fundraising events such as “Porridge for Parkinson’s”.
Sports
Life-time fan of ‘The Baggies’, West Bromwich Albion F.C.
Toronto fan of The Blue Jays (Baseball), The Raptors (Basketball), TFC (Soccer).
Enjoys golf, fishing and gardening.
