Shamus Donkin: the popular head lad and 'absolute legend' who was a Malton mainstay for nearly 50 years
Andrew Dietz remembers the lives of long-serving head lad Shamus Donkin and owner-breeder Sir Christopher Wates
In many ways, 2024 has been business as usual for Tim Easterby, with another stack of winners sent out from a yard that has become a powerhouse of northern racing. Yet there has been one heartbreaking difference.
Not many staff members have served a stable for as long as Shamus Donkin did at Easterby's family yard in Malton before his death at the age of 63 in June.
The Classic-winning trainer posted a heartfelt tribute on social media to the employee of nearly 50 years and, a few months on, Donkin is still much missed by all the team at Habton Grange, where he started aged just 15.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inRacing Lives
Last updated
Copy- 'He loved partying with Lester and the rest' - the life of Derek Morris, lightweight jockey who rode for the Queen
- 'Dad's life was always a fight' - how bold, brash Barry Dennis became the face of the betting ring
- Billy Hamilton: the 'wonderful man' who became a reluctant national figure thanks to his homebred Gold Cup third
- Steve Norton: 'He was the best boss ever' - Group 1-winning trainer dies aged 87
- Sir Paul Fox: how the man behind Sports Personality of the Year became a key figure in racing
- 'He loved partying with Lester and the rest' - the life of Derek Morris, lightweight jockey who rode for the Queen
- 'Dad's life was always a fight' - how bold, brash Barry Dennis became the face of the betting ring
- Billy Hamilton: the 'wonderful man' who became a reluctant national figure thanks to his homebred Gold Cup third
- Steve Norton: 'He was the best boss ever' - Group 1-winning trainer dies aged 87
- Sir Paul Fox: how the man behind Sports Personality of the Year became a key figure in racing