John Shirreffs, an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, died on February 12, 2026, at age 80.
Born John Alexander Shirreffs on June 1, 1945, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he began training Thoroughbreds in California in 1978. His most notable victory came in the 2005 Kentucky Derby, when Giacomo scored an upset.
In 2007, Tiago, a half-brother to Giacomo, won the Santa Anita Derby. Shirreffs also trained Zenyatta, and in November 2009 became the first trainer to win both the Ladies’ Classic and the Classic in the same year, with Life Is Sweet and Zenyatta.
John Alexander Shirreffs (June 1, 1945 – February 12, 2026) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.