Dan Blacker

• Born in Oxford, UK

• Grew up around horses, showjumping competitively as a teenager

• Studied at The University of Edinburgh

• While at university Dan worked under trainers Richard Gibson and Jonathan Pease in France and the late steeplechase trainer Peter Monteith

• Graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start program which included work placements with trainers Jeremy Nosesda in the UK, David Hayes in Australia, Godolphin in Dubai and Richard Mandella in California

• Assistant trainer to Richard Mandella in California from 2007 to 2009, working with Grade 1 winners The Tin Man, Into Mischief and Dixie Chatter

• Assistant trainer to Tom Albertrani in New York, Florida and Kentucky from 2009 to 2011 working with Grade 1 winners Gozzip Girl, Flashing and Kentucky Derby starter Brilliant Speed

• Dan took out his trainer’s license in November 2011 and saddled his first winner less than a month later