Derek Shaw
Derek Shaw was born in Nottinghamshire on 18 December 1957. His love of horses and horse racing began at the age of 14 when his father, Gerald, introduced him to racehorse trainer Eric Collingwood.
Derek Shaw was born in Nottinghamshire on 18 December 1957. His love of horses and horse racing began at the age of 14 when his father, Gerald, introduced him to racehorse trainer Eric Collingwood.
During the school holidays and at weekends, Derek worked at Collingwood’s yard. After his 16th birthday, he signed on as an apprentice jockey in Middleham. He gained sound racing experience under the guidance of Collingwood before moving on to join Mick Easterby where he looked after the 1977 1,000 Guineas winner Mrs McArdy.
During the school holidays and at weekends, Derek worked at Collingwood’s yard. After his 16th birthday, he signed on as an apprentice jockey in Middleham. He gained sound racing experience under the guidance of Collingwood before moving on to join Mick Easterby where he looked after the 1977 1,000 Guineas winner Mrs McArdy.
Derek spent the next five years with Russ Hobson and then a further five years as assistant trainer-cum-jump jockey with Roy Bowring. He spent an additional three years riding 35 winners for John Mackie in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Derek spent the next five years with Russ Hobson and then a further five years as assistant trainer-cum-jump jockey with Roy Bowring. He spent an additional three years riding 35 winners for John Mackie in the 1980s and early 1990s.
He then took up a job training for Patrick Sheehan in Sussex. His first winner in his new job was a 50-1 outsider named Coleridge in the Cystic Fibrosis Research Cup at Doncaster in March 1992. Derek followed on from this success to design a purpose-built state-of-the-art racehorse training centre for John Fretwell.
He then took up a job training for Patrick Sheehan in Sussex. His first winner in his new job was a 50-1 outsider named Coleridge in the Cystic Fibrosis Research Cup at Doncaster in March 1992. Derek followed on from this success to design a purpose-built state-of-the-art racehorse training centre for John Fretwell.
Derek was then approached by Danethorpe Racing Limited and asked to build a yard from scratch. In 2007 he had the opportunity to take over this yard, and ‘Derek Shaw Racing’ was born. In the winter of 2007, he was the country’s top numerical all-weather trainer and had managed to exceed the number of wins he previously trained at Danethorpe.
Derek was then approached by Danethorpe Racing Limited and asked to build a yard from scratch. In 2007 he had the opportunity to take over this yard, and ‘Derek Shaw Racing’ was born. In the winter of 2007, he was the country’s top numerical all-weather trainer and had managed to exceed the number of wins he previously trained at Danethorpe.
Derek then married his wife Lyndsey and they decided to purchase their own training yard from the successful trainer Norma McCauley, who had announced her retirement. Derek now trains a string of around 30 horses at Sproxton, near Melton Mowbray.
Derek then married his wife Lyndsey and they decided to purchase their own training yard from the successful trainer Norma McCauley, who had announced her retirement. Derek now trains a string of around 30 horses at Sproxton, near Melton Mowbray.