Ex-jockey Dalgleish takes over the reins as trainer at Belstane

Former Scottish Flat jockey Keith Dalgleish is excited about embarking on his new challenge as a trainer at the tender age of just 27.

Dalgleish, from Hawick, has taken over the reins at the Belstane Racing Stables in Carluke, owned by businessman Gordon McDowall, and obtained his licence on 1 February. He hopes to increase his 20-horse string in time and his first runner is likely to be Hold On Tiger at Wolverhampton on Monday or Southwell on Tuesday.

Dalgleish looked to have the world at his feet as a jockey, but was always fighting a constant battle with his weight and was forced to admit defeat six-and-a-half years ago.

He rode for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston and posted a Group One success in Germany aboard Yavana's Pace among his 285 winners, which also included victories at Royal Ascot with Helm Bank and Fantastic Love. Now he hopes to make the most of his opportunity in the training ranks at a stable where previous incumbents have included Ian Semple, Linda Perratt and Noel Wilson.

"It's nice to be back involved in racing, I'm delighted," said Dalgleish. "I was working here for Gordon McDowall and, when Noel Wilson left, he asked me if I'd like to take over.

"It was something I thought I would love to do, but I didn't see a way of doing it. I'm a salaried trainer and it's brilliant.

"Mr McDowall has given me a great chance, he's a great guy and I enjoy working for him.

"He just has a couple of horses and, hopefully, I want to try to attract some new owners. It is hard to attract people to buy horses in this climate, everybody's trying to save their pennies

"I just want to chip away and try to get a few winners. I haven't got any sort of targets because you don't know what's going to happen. I would prefer to have a few more horses. Thirty would have been a nice number to start with, but I'm happy with what I've got and we've got 60 boxes in all.

"I've got a Polytrack gallop and the facilities here are fantastic. I don't think people would believe there is a facility as good as this in Scotland."

Dalgleish believes that the successful time he spent as jockey at the record-breaking Johnston yard in Middleham will stand him in good stead in the training game.

"I have spent most of my racing life at Mark Johnston's. Working for him and riding for him, the way he approaches it is brilliant," he went on.

"I can't do the same as him, but it has definitely had an influence on how I do things working for Mark. Whatever he's doing, he's doing it right.

"I never ride a horse now, but what I did as a jockey can only be of benefit to me."