Kieran’s Story – Racing Staff Week
Kieran Donkin, 31, who works at Tim Easterby Racing in Malton, North Yorkshire, has been employed in the horseracing industry since he was a teenager.
Passionate about the sport and keen to celebrate the hard-working employees in the industry, Kieran took part in the Racing Staff Week charity race at Nottingham Racecourse in June to raise awareness of the services Racing Welfare provides, as well as raising funds for the charity which has supported him in the past.
Kieran’s father Shamus Donkin, who was Head Lad at Tim Easterby’s Farmside yard and well-known and respected throughout the racing community, sadly passed away recently and Kieran was determined to compete in the race in his memory.
Before the race, Kieran said: “I’m riding in memory of my Dad Shamus who died recently. When I’d told him I had a place in the race at Nottingham he was really pleased and he’d planned to be there on the day, so it’s going to be tough without him, but I’m determined to do a good job and do him proud.
“I think Racing Staff Week is important, so people understand just how much work people put in behind-the-scenes. It’s not just about the owners, trainers and jockeys, it’s about the grooms, riders, box drivers and all the other people in racing who put in the hours, early mornings, late nights – they’re all part of it.”
Having previously received online counselling sessions from Racing Welfare to help with his mental health, Kieran is keen to highlight the support the charity offers to make sure people working in racing know what’s available to them.
“People think it’s OK not to talk but they need to, because if you don’t talk then nobody will know what’s going on and they won’t be able to help you. I’ve had online counselling sessions from Racing Welfare. At first I wasn’t sure and I found it tough but it did really help to talk things through with someone” he added.
Having also previously taken part in a Racing Welfare Racing Staff Week charity race at Doncaster, Kieran rode 4-year-old bay gelding Braveheart Boy in the six furlong charity race at Nottingham Racecourse on Thursday 27th June 2024. To sponsor Kieran’s efforts please visit: https://racingwelfare.enthuse.com/pf/kieran-donkin and for more information about Racing Staff Week, please visit: www.racingwelfare.co.uk/rsw