Seaside turf queen Donna Logan is renowned for her loyalty, generosity and success in the racing world.
The Ruakaka-based horse trainer's love affair with racing began in the 1970s, kick-starting a career spanning nearly 40 years.
This year, on her 50th birthday, the Northland-born and bred trainer was made a life member of the Whangarei Racing Club, marking a special milestone in her career - one in which Logan has helped put Ruakaka on the racing industry's map.
Her passion for racing started when she was in her early teens. Logan, then Donna Graham, decided she wanted to be a jockey. In 1976, aged 15, she gained her Lady Rider's Licence and started her jockey apprenticeship with local trainer Sid Edwards. When he retired, she continued her apprenticeship with fellow Ruakaka trainer Kelvin "Kumara" Snell.
In 1984, Logan had her first race-day win on the Snell-trained Jimmy Mellay at Te Rapa.