'Backbone' of the Trent Dawson stable shines

By Jordan Gerrans

When two-year-old pacer I Am Caesar broke maiden ranks on Wednesday evening at Redcliffe, Trent Dawson declared the ‘backbone’ of his stable was finally able to receive some much-deserved recognition. 

Trent has trained his team of horses alongside his wife Crystal for a number of years at Clarendon.

The 39-year-old Trent has been the trainer and driver for the most part.

But, Crystal took a liking to youngster I Am Caesar and she took him on under her training ticket, with Trent doing the majority of the driving. 

The 32-year-old Crystal has had a handful of starters as a trainer since the 2023 campaign but was yet to nab a breakthrough victory. 

The son of Vincent provided Crystal her maiden triumph on Wednesday around ‘The Triangle’ circuit over 1780 metres.

It was a memorable occasion for the Dawson clan. 

“Crystal has a bit to do with this guy and has a good connection with him,” Trent said.

“She decided she wanted to take him on.

“Crystal does a lot of work for me, so it was about time I did a bit of work for her.

“I might be at the races or wherever it may be and she is the one at home feeding up the horses and making sure everything is all ok.

“Without Crystal, I wouldn’t be where I am today as a trainer.”

While Trent is away chasing Group 1 glory with quality horses such as French Fries, Future Assured and For Real Life, among others, Crystal is likely to be at home looking after their two children, keeping an eye on the horses or managing her part-time job. 

So, Trent believes it is only fitting that his hard-working wife and training partner is finally receiving some long-awaited racing plaudits. 

“Obviously what we do is a big team effort and she is the backbone of my stable,” Trent said.

“It is good to see her get the recognition with a horse in her name.

“Hopefully in the future there is plenty more.”

In his first season racing, I Am Caesar ran in the money on eight occasions from 17 starts before he was able to land his maiden win on Wednesday. 

A brutally-honest Trent admits that the gelding probably should have won a race earlier in his career if not for a couple of poor drives that he put in.

But, the bay gelding finally found his race on Wednesday and he was able to score by just over a metre as the pre-race favourite. 

Starting from two on the front line, Trent and I Am Caesar were able to lead in the early exchanges and they were not headed again. 

“He had not been able to get the job done before, he had been consistent getting placings,” Trent said.

“It was good to see him get over the line first.

“He has probably gone better than going 18 starts without breaking his maiden.

“He has run some good races without much luck.”

As for the remainder of his barn, Trent says Group 1 champion French Fries is back in work while For Real Life is set to return soon after a quick freshen-up.

French Fries has not been at the races since the middle of August in his QBRED three-year-old romp while For Real Life contested The C J earlier this month at Redcliffe.