A new challenge dawns for young racehorse trainer Scott Dixon, who is preparing for his first official winter season from his new base at Southwell Racecourse.
Scott, 30, became the only trainer at the Rolleston venue when he moved his team of over 30 horses into the newly refurbished training barns in August.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m very excited about the future here,” says Scott, whose extensive facilities adjacent to the track include three barns, turn-out paddocks, a horse walker and an enclosed lunge ring.
“My previous yard near Retford was close enough to have a lot of runners here and I’ve been fortunate to saddle plenty of winners,” he adds. “With an influx of new horses, I’m looking forward to being back in the winner’s enclosure on a regular basis.”
He has been synonymous with success on Southwell’s Fibresand All-Weather track since becoming the youngest trainer in Britain eight years ago.
Over 70 of around 200 career winners have been achieved at the track, with firm favourites Sir Geoffrey and Crosse Fire (pictured) becoming standing dishes on the surface, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in November.
Scott’s father Paul Dixon has cemented his own place in Southwell’s All-Weather history, becoming the track’s leading owner with 60 winners in his familiar royal blue and pink silks.
He enjoyed success an an owner with Mark Polglase when he trained from the trackside barns around 15 years ago and is one of Scott’s main supporters in his new venture.
He adds: “I’ve owned winners at all the big tracks in Britain and achieved success at the highest level but All-Weather racing at Southwell has always held a special attraction.
“Having my horses trained on the track brings unique benefits to me and every owner. Working horses on the racing surface will give us an important insight into their capabilities and, of course, there will be no travel costs, which can prove expensive.”
Mark Clayton, Southwell’s executive director, says” We have upgraded the facilities to develop the training centre and we are delighted to welcome Scott, who has a proven track record here and a long-standing interest in racing on Fibresand.”
ARC has launched a new racing club for members of Southwell and its 14 other racecourses to co-incide with Scott’s arrival and has two horses in training at the track, including previous Fibresand winner Port Soif.
Southwell will celebrate 30 years of All-Weather racing with a dinner at the racecourse on Friday evening, 8th November, featuring racing personalities Bob Champion and Derek Thompson, and an Irish Night under the new floodlights 24 hours later. Tickets for both events are available now from the racecourse on 01636 814481.
