Santa Anita Park Joins The Racing Community In Mourning The Sudden Passing Of Trainer John Shirreffs

Santa Anita Park Joins The Racing Community In Mourning The Sudden Passing Of Trainer John Shirreffs

ARCADIA, CA (Feb. 12, 2026) - Santa Anita Park joins the racing community in mourning the sudden passing of trainer John Shirreffs. He was a fixture at Santa Anita Park throughout his career and his legacy as a caring horsemen will remain embedded in the fabric of our history. Every horse who races at Santa Anita must first pass by the statue of John’s greatest trainee, the wonderful mare Zenyatta. While John’s victories were plentiful and prestigious, what he accomplished with Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic was a masterpiece and deservedly was voted as the top moment in Santa Anita Park’s 90 years. Our deepest condolences are extended to John’s wife, Dottie, and his family, including those horsemen and women who worked closely with John for so many years. May his memory be a blessing.