Dawn Laidlaw

Strip away the brass name plates, parade the Darley stallions in front of seasoned horsemen and ask them to pick the horse who last year sired three Breeders' Cup victors among 38 stakes winners and was the broodmare sire of the Derby winner. Of those who haven't seen him before, it is unlikely that many would choose Dubawi (Ire). Unlike his sire, the brilliant but ill-fated Dubai Millennium (GB), he is not a horse who 'fills the eye' with those long classic lines and fluent stride. On the short side...

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career and why? DL: I find this question very difficult to answer. Like most in the industry, I have been lucky enough to work with a wide range of people over the years. I like to think I have picked up things from many of them. Coming from a non-horsey but sporty family background, it was my parents who encouraged me to 'beg, borrow and steal' ponies to ride and fostered the belief that if you want something enough, you will work...