Spotlight On: Nathan Dawson

Now that the dust has settled on 2023, it’s time to take a deep dive into the magical season of Nathan Dawson.

When time was called on the 2023 season, Dawson had amassed 413 winners from 2072 drives while amassing more than $3 million is stakes. He easily eclipsed the previous best of 315 set by Pete McMullen during his then record-breaking 2021 season.

McMullen became the first Queensland-based reinsman to better 300 winners in a single season.

Naturally, both Dawson and McMullen claimed the National Drivers title with their massive haul of winners.

Adding more context, Shane Graham claimed the National Drivers title when he steered home a then Queensland record of 259 winners during the 2014/15 season, while Inter Dominion-winning driver Grant Dixon has a PB figure of 242 during the 2009/10 season (he finished third in the National title behind Victorians Daryl Douglas and Chris Alford).

Queensland-based drivers have claimed the National title four times since the 2014/15 season while claiming the last three (McMullen twice and Dawson).

Interestingly, the only other driver to win the National title during this time frame is Alford.

The star Victorian is the most successful driver in Australian harness history with more than 8000 career victories. He has also claimed the National title a record 14 times.

Up until the 2023 season, Alford was the only driver to have driven more than 400 winners in a single season.

Back in the 2017/18 season, Alford landed the highest tally of 456 victories while the following season he grabbed 422.

Dawson has joined elite company, and the moment hasn’t been lost on the 28-year-old.

“It’s still sinking in to be honest. Chris Alford is a true champion of our sport and to be ranked alongside him with over 400 winners in a single season is just a tremendous privilege,” Dawson said.

The dedication, commitment and skill required to achieve such a momentous season is testament to the self-drive Dawson possesses.

Dawson hails from a staunch harness racing family, and it’s a family that continues to expand at a rapid rate.

His parents, Glenn and Wynetta (nee Knack), had Nathan and his brothers, Mitchell and Ryan, engaged in mini trots from an early age.

Horses have always been part of his life.

Glenn was a talented driver in his own right and amassed 428 winners before being forced into early retirement owing to a debilitating back injury.

Before long, Nathan was granted his driver’s license during the 2011/12 season and took six drives but failed to hit the board.

During his first five seasons of driving and acting as the stable foreman for John McMullen, Dawson amassed 189 winners while undertaking an overhaul of his body.

Dawson knew he wanted to have a life in the sulky, and he got very serious about making changes including a revised diet, regular cardiovascular exercise, and form study.

The numbers don’t lie.

Dawson has put the foot down and tallied 1622 winners, two century seasons, four double centuries and the gob smacking quadruple century.

“I made necessary changes and for the better, just like any professional, you must make sacrifices and the rewards have come. It’s not easy but I know it’s been the making of me, the mind is a powerful thing,” he said.

“The 2023 season was taxing in many ways, both mentally and physically, but I’m fortunate I made the changes when I did because it certainly helped.

“At the start of the year, I didn’t say I was out to break the state record, but you find a groove, get into a rhythm and things just kept snowballing.

“I was so fortunate to have not incurred a suspension throughout the year, nor did I have an extended holiday but I managed to squeeze in some mini breaks throughout the year to keep myself sharp and focused.”

Amongst his 413 victories, Dawson partnered 208 individual horses to reach his tally while driving for so many different trainers throughout the year.

A list of highlights includes:

• Won Australian Drivers Championship (in Tasmania)
• Won two Group 1 features (both with Not As Promised)
• First Queensland driver to win a Victoria Trotters Derby
• First Queensland driver to have five winners or more at a single meeting: four (three times at Albion Park and once at Redcliffe)
• Biggest winning margin for Qld Premiership: 194 clear of nearest rival (Pete McMullen second)
• National winning margin: 142 over Gary Hall Jnr (Chris Alford holds record with 228-win lead during 2017/18 season)
• His first 100 wins took 86 days, his second 100 took 102 days, thew third 100 took 77 days while his fourth 100 took 84 days.

Will his record-breaking season of 413 wins ever be repeated? Or, even bettered?

“I couldn’t have achieved my season without the support from owners and trainers, I’m a freelance driver so their support is everything and all very much part of my success,” Dawson said.

“Given that I am a freelance driver, that proved invaluable for me to keep pushing. I’m certain you can’t reach over 400 while working a team of horses.

“The record figure of 456 is gettable. Records are meant to be broken, but I think it will be around for quite some time. How hard do you want to push? I gave it a red-hot crack and came up short.

“At the start of the year, I was chasing 300, then the record of 315 before going for 400. I will be aiming for between 200 and 300 for this year. I’m not stepping back and will continue to push hard. We have a very competitive drivers’ colony here in Queensland, many are very underrated.”

The obvious highlight for Dawson throughout the year was the success of the Graham Dwyer-prepared trotter, Not As Promised. They combined for Group 1 glory in the Victoria Trotters Derby (Maryborough) and Breeders Crown (Melton) while finishing fourth (as favourite) in the New Zealand Trotters Derby at Addington.

From 10 drives behind Not As Promised, they combined for eight victories.

“The best is yet to come. He’s such a big gangly and raw-boned type who will continue to improve with time and maturity,” Dawson said.

“The Great Square feature during the Constellations looks a great target this year, that would be a cool race to win.

“And that will help me get my name out there, the local support is great, but I also want the interstate owner/trainers chasing me during the carnivals.”

The name is there for all to see and the numbers back it up.

Nathan Dawson.

We salute you.