Newly-elected Whangārei Racing club life member Shayne Heape (left) with his wife Glennis and club chairman Mike Beazley. Photo / Supplied
Former Whangārei Racing Club president Shayne Heape has been awarded life membership at its annual members' meeting at the Northland Club on Wednesday evening.
A member since 2008 and a president for four years, Heape has made a significant contribution to the club with his proactive role on the board,
but also with his generous business sponsorship and gathering of supporters to enable a number of projects to be completed at the club.
In addition, with his racing partner Gary Hannam, they have an interest in a considerable number of horses under their banner of GS Racing that display their orange and white colours.
On receipt of his life membership honour, Shayne regaled how his interest in racing only started following a spur of the moment decision at an auction at a Northland rugby fundraising event.
A share in the racehorse Kaarera, being trained by Donna Logan was being sold to raise funds. With no previous racing involvement Shayne and Gary decided, on a whim, to win the auction and so their racing journey started.
There was a big bump in the road when Kaarera provided to be very slow, and after four starts was retired to be a broodmare. GS Racing have been very loyal to this initial interest in racing with her producing unsuccessful foals, but their loyalty could be repaid today.
