Big changes ahead for Dylan Ferguson

By Brigette Solomon

Waikato-based trainer and driver Dylan Ferguson is looking forward to a new challenge as he sets out as an individual trainer next month.

The 27-year-old has trained in partnership with Graeme Rogerson for the past three years, where he had previously been employed as stable foreman since 2018. The pair trained 62 winners together including the Group 1 2023 Northern Trotting Derby with Lovemeto.

“Graeme and I have had a good working relationship over the past six years,” says Ferguson, “but setting up a stable and training in my own right is something I’ve been thinking about over the past few months, and I feel like it’s the right time to do it.”

Ferguson, who is the son of successful driver Peter Ferguson, will establish his new training base from his parent's Cambridge property.

“I’m lucky to have the facilities to use at my parent's place,” says Ferguson, “we have done some upgrades around the place including new tie ups and we’re currently rebuilding the gear room.”

“My fiancé Jo Stevens currently trains her small team from there and we will likely look to form a partnership ourselves.”

And while she trains just a small team of horses, Stevens has had her own share of success with her biggest win to date being the Group 3 2023 Northern Breeders Stakes with Rosie, who was driven by Ferguson.

“Together, Jo and I purchased three yearlings at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Yearling sale and we have a great bunch of owners involved in them, which is a good starting point for us.”

“I’m going to take a bit of down time over the next month, plus Jo and I are getting married in August and organising that is keeping us busy and something we are looking forward to,” says Ferguson.

“I’m as keen as ever to train horses and we are really looking forward to pursuing what’s really best for us and our future now.”