Milan Park pay tribute to John ‘JJ’ Jeffs
The Milan Park barn at Karaka is missing a familiar presence this year, after the death of long-serving friend and colleague John Jeffs, who died of cancer in November aged 83.
Affectionately known as ‘JJ’, Jeffs was a much-loved figure at Milan Park, remembered for his remarkable affinity to recall names, his infectious positivity and his deep knowledge of racing and breeding. Tony Rider – owner of Milan Park – said his absence has left a noticeable void within the team.
“We are missing JJ big time,” he told ANZ News. “JJ could have 3 or 4 drafts going on at any one time, and at the same time, he could spin and talk to you. He knew where everything was.
“He got on well with my farm manager, Grant, and with Grant out the back, and him out the front. It was just bloody awesome. He became a very good friend. Just about like an old man to me in some ways, he was very good. We used to talk often.”
Milan Park has honoured Jeffs’ contribution by placing an image of him on the wall of the barn he once managed, a daily reminder of his lasting impact on the operation.
“I get a bit emotional, I don’t know how many years he’s been working for me, but he didn’t see it as work, and I don’t see it as work. It’s just, it’s what you love. It’s what you do.”
Rider also reflected on the loss of another close friend, Group 1-winning trainer Tony Dennis, who died in September last year, acknowledging the enduring relationship between their families.
“We lost another very good friend of ours, Tony Dennis, the family’s been so loyal to me. The Dennis Brothers and we’ve got a photo up there of him too.
“For many years, they wouldn’t do foal shares or anything, they kept it to themselves and eventually, I tried to buy one of the mares and I got up to a $1 million I’ve offered Tony and he said ‘it’s not for sale’. He came back a day or so later and he said, I’ll tell you what, we’ll go 50-50 in a foal share. Ever since then, we’ve done a lot of business with them. They became very, very great friends, the Dennis Brothers.”