Keith Dalgleish
Keith Dalgleish joined Belstane Racing Stables in Carluke situated high-up in the beautiful countryside of South Lanarkshire in 2011, a privately-owned 80 box yard with first-class facilities enabling peak fitness. In August 2012 the yards owner, Gordon McDowell handed Keith an opportunity which was too good to turn down and Keith took over the yard, which became home to Keith Dalgleish Racing.
As a jockey Keith notched up nearly 300 winners including a £70,000 Group 1 in Germany aboard Yavanas Pace. However at 6ft tall it was a daily struggle to maintain the required weight so at just 21 he had no choice but to retire, the only sensible option, or in his words another season juggling his weight would send him “potty”. Keith's talent and determination as a jockey is replicated as a trainer, making an impressive opening impact to the 2012 flat season, notching up 52 winners, a record not held by a Scottish flat trainer for 55 years. In 2016 he became champion trainer in Scotland, eclipsing the previous records with an impressive 80 winners on the flat.
Keith has really shown himself to be a dual purpose trainer who knows how to get the best out of every horse he has. He is very adept at winning with horses who have struggled or have found themselves out of form. You could also not meet a nicer guy, he is always willing to chat about the horses at the course and yard and gives an in depth view on each horse. And his team are very friendly up there and always make you feel welcome.