People's Choice Award: Donna Logan

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.

When it was suggested she should train horses too, Logan grasped the opportunity. Since 1987, when she gained her trainer's licence, she has trained horses for 5114 starts and 538 wins. Logan started training only six horses but she and training partners Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs now work 46 from their Ruakaka base.

Highlights during her training career include winning the group one Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, in Sydney, with Victory Smile in 2002. Victory Smile went on to race in the Melbourne Cup - the Logans' first horse to run in the great race.

Another special horse for the Logan stable was the John and Karen Spragg-owned El Duce. El Duce ran second in the NZ Derby and won the Wellington Guineas, Foxbridge Plate and the Queen Elizabeth Cup, as well as the Waikato Gold Cup, then came third in the Rosehill Guineas and second in Singapore's Raffles Cup.

While her lifestyle and family ties keep Logan in Ruakaka, it is also a desire to see fulfilled a dream she has for the area of a self-contained centre catering for all equestrian needs.

As well as continuing to train group one winners and growing the client base, Logan said she would like to help underprivileged children get their lives under way with jobs in the racing industry. To see an equestrian centre developed at Ruakaka would be the ultimate dream.

To vote, email sports@northernadvocate.co.nz or text NAD and the initials of your nomination to 021 241 4568.

Voting closes on November 25.

The winner will be announced on Friday, December 2.