Unmarried Partner Application Process

I am in the process of applying for a Tier 2 Sportsman's Visa. I have a COS from the governing body of my sport, so my application appears to be in good shape. My partner and I have lived together for about 27 months now and believe that we can document this thoroughly (though I understand this is a difficult visa to get nonetheless). We are both foreign nationals from a non-EU or commonwealth country. With that information in mind, my question is do we need to submit our applications simultaneously or do we wait to submit my partner's application until after my visa has been awarded?

IMHO, best to apply for self first and when granted apply for dependent visa.

1. If you apply together and are refused, you'll end up losing dependent application fee unnecessarily.
2. If you are granted but dependent visa is refused then your partner will get a full right of appeal the decision (dependent refusal).

See also INF26

regards