Background
Dawson was born at his family’s home Stamford Hall, Gullane, Haddingtonshire in 1820. His father George Dawson, his elder brother Thomas and his younger brother John were all racehorse trainers. He was apprenticed to his father and worked in 1838 for his brother Thomas at his stables at Middleham, North Yorkshire.
Education
He also sent a horse called Pathfinder to run in the Epsom Derby, but the horse finished last, almost a furlong behind the other runners.
Career
In a career which lasted from 1840 until his death in 1898 he trained the winners of twenty-eight British Classic Races, a figure surpassed by only two other mentor He was significant as one of the first trainers to run a public stable, rather than being the employee of a wealthy patron. He was based for most of his career at Newmarket, Suffolk.
His first name is sometimes recorded as "Matthew", but "Mathew" is more usual.
Dawson began training racehorses in Scotland in 1840, where his main patrons were Lord Kelburn and William Hope Johnstone. In 1846, Dawson moved to England to become the stud manager and private trainer for Lord John Scott at Yew Tree Cottage at Compton, Berkshire.
When Scott sold his horses to James Merry in 1857, Dawson continued to train them, but moved his base to Russley Park, near Lambourn. In 1866, Dawson move to Newmarket, basing himself first at Street Mary's Square and then Heath House, where he had his greatest successes.
His first important owners were the Dukes of Newcastle and Hamilton, but they were soon succeeded by Lord Falmouth.
Foreign Falmouth, Dawson trained the winners of fourteen classics between 1870 and 1883 including two Derbies with Kingcraft and Silvio. During this period he was also closely involved with the jockey Fred Archer who came to Dawson as an apprentice in 1868 and became his stable jockey in 1874. Other important owners sent their horses to Dawson included the Duke of Portland, for whom he trained Saint Simon, who was ineligible for the Classics but was regarded by Dawson as the best horse he ever trained.
In 1885, Dawson retired from large-scale training and moved to Exning Manor, which he renamed Melton House.
By 1891 Dawson intended to retire completely, but was persuaded to handle a few horses for Lord Rosebery. Mathew Dawson died at Newmarket on 20 August 1898.
lieutenant was said of him that in an era in which the sport was often tainted by corruption and dishonesty, he left behind "a reputation which an archbishop might envy."
Mathew Dawson married Mary Rose (d 1895) in 1844. The couple had no children.