James "Jim" Everatt, who with his wife, Janeane, established Shannondoe Farm and became a prominent Thoroughbred breeder in Canada, died Oct. 15 at his residence in St. Thomas, Ontario. He was 86.
Born April 8, 1940, in St. Thomas, he and Janeane built a successful business as industrial contractors and entrepreneurs, establishing North Shore Sand and Gravel in 1975. Their passion, however, was Shannondoe Farm, where the family helped shape Canadian Thoroughbred breeding.
With their daughter, Arika Everatt-Meeuse, the Everatts developed the operation into a leading Canadian breeding program, producing numerous champions and stakes winners.
The Everatts have bred Canadian champions such as 2016 Horse of the Year Caren, millionaire and 2010 champion older male Sand Cove, and 1998 champion older male Terremoto.
Most recently, James and Janeane Everatt, along with Arika Meeuse and Robert Marzilli, bred Fire and Wine, one of the top Canadian-bred 3-year-old males of 2026 in Canada. The Lexitonian colt won the third and final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Sept. 27 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine, before achieving graded stakes glory in the Oct. 17 Ontario Derby (G3) there for owner Paul Ryder and trainer Zeljko Krcmar.
A private family service will be held. Cremation has already taken place.
He was predeceased by his wife, Janeane, and his parents, Bud and Helen (Target) Everatt. He is survived by his daughter, Arika (Tim), and grandchildren Colt and Brayden Meeuse.
Memorial donations may be made to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
