Rydale's racing fraternity was in shock today following the sudden death of Edward Shouler.

Edward Shouler: 'grand fellow'

The popular local racehorse owner collapsed last night while attending a race meeting at Kelso, just over the Scottish border.

Mr Shouler, 55, had welcomed his horse, Queensway - trained by Jimmy FitzGerald and ridden by Lorcan Wyer - into the winner's enclosure after a half-length success in the 6.15pm race.

Queensway was one of several horses Mr Shouler had in training with Mr FitzGerald, his close friend.

Mr Shouler lived at Auburn House, Norton, overlooking FitzGerald's famous Highfield gallops. He also had horses in training at Tim Easterby and Mick Easterby's stables.

Among his best-known horses were Dawson City, Native Mission, Good Vibes, Ballad Minstrel and Golden Hello.

Tim Easterby said: "Edward was a grand fellow and a super man to train for. He was the same in defeat as he was in victory. He loved his racing. It is very sad."

Mr Shouler and his friend Tony Fawcett, of the Feathers Hotel at Helmsley, presented a cup at the recent Malton Racing Association Grand National dinner and dance at York Racecourse.

The trophy, awarded to Malton's racing personality of the year, was presented to Lorcan Wyer - who rode Queensway to victory last night.

A spokesman at the Feathers Hotel told the Evening Press that Mr Fawcett was "devastated" to learn of Mr Shouler's death. He was flying back to Britain from a holiday in Antigua today.

Rosemary Carter, secretary of the Malton Racing Association, said: "Edward was a very well-liked person and he was a great supporter of the racing industry in the Malton area. He had lots of success with local trainers.

"He always gave his full support to everything we did to raise funds and so on."

Mrs Carter said Mr Shouler appeared in a promotional video launched a year ago by the Racing Association. "He's a great loss and he will be sadly missed."

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