WHEN Ray Dawson had his riding licence suspended after testing positive for cocaine in 2023 he knew it was time to sink or swim.
After hitting rock bottom following a car crash in Newmarket while under the influence of alcohol in 2019 the father-of-two appeared to have steadied the ship.
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Having put the hard graft in, both in and out of the saddle following his drink driving escapades, Dawson secured a career best domestic tally of 64 winners in 2022.
But on August 18 2023 his world came crashing down following a drink and drugs binge, where he later admitted taking ‘eight or nine lines’ of cocaine, the night before he rode in five races at Bath.
Those with a weaker constitution would have fallen by the wayside, but thankfully the 32 year-old sought help and sorted himself out to get his life back on track.
And now the Bury St Edmunds-based rider hopes he can prove the ultimate comeback king with a first Classic ride in Saturday’s St Leger at Doncaster aboard 30-1 outsider Rahiebb.
He said: “I wouldn’t recommend to anyone to do what I did. It was a very scary time as things were getting on top of me.
“The Bath incident felt worse as I had worked hard, and built a lot of things up.
“I had a lot more to lose in 2023 than I did in 2019, and I nearly did lose it all.
“What happened at Bath, without swearing, everything hit the fan.
“I really had to look at myself and decide what I wanted to do with my life.
“Did I want to keep falling down or work hard to get back on top of things?
“A lot of people who I engaged with in 2023 have become good friends of mine.
“They are good people to have around and they keep my head level. They are part of my life now.
“I’m glad I made the right decision and I’m very much on top of all of that now as I realised that life is too good.
“I’ve got great relationships with friends and family that are very precious to me and I wouldn’t want to destroy that again.
“I think I’ve very much learnt my lesson.”
With his life now back on the right path, Dawson is looking forward to his moment centre stage aboard the son of Frankel on Town Moor.
He said: “It is fantastic to get a ride in the St Leger and it is a great opportunity for me as we all strive to get these types of rides.
“I’ve ridden him in a couple of bits of work recently, but my agent messaged me on Tuesday telling me I had the ride. It gave me an extra bit of energy.
“You can put a line through his Goodwood run in the Gordon as it was monsoon weather, which he probably didn’t appreciate, while the track probably didn’t suit him as he is a big horse.
“His Royal Ascot run in the Queen’s Vase before that was good. He is going to have to improve, and hopefully a couple of others might underperform, but he is a lovely horse and he is still maturing.
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“I will probably be an outsider, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he runs a big race as he is not the finished article yet.”
This year has not been without its ups and downs for Dawson, who suffered a broken rib and left wrist following a fall at Nottingham in July.
But after steering Lady Of Spain to Group 3 glory as part of a double for Varian at Sandown Park just a few days after his comeback he hopes that is a sign of things to come.
He said: “When I was lying in hospital with my injuries I didn’t think that was the way my comeback winner would be in a Group 3.
“It is hard not to think negatively when you are lying in a hospital bed not really knowing what the future holds.
“It was great it worked out and hopefully it is a springboard to the next couple of months here and then over in Dubai, where I will be heading late October to team up with Michael Costa again.
“I’m happy with where I am and I feel like I’m going in the right direction.”
But for Dawson there is nothing more he would love to do before jetting off to warmer climes than to repay the faith shown in him by Varian and deliver him a third St Leger success.
He added: “Roger has supported me massively over the last five years, and even more so off the track when things weren’t going very well.
“He stood by me, and he was patient. He has been a great boss and I can’t thank him enough really.
“He left me to get back in my own time when things went a bit upside down.
“To see my name on Rahiebb is great. I hope I can pay back that faith he has shown in me.”
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