Career
Based in California, Vietnam War veteran John Shirreffs began training Thoroughbreds in 1978. In November 2009, Shirreffs became the first trainer to conquer both the Ladies" Classic and Classic in the same year, as Life Is Sweet romped home in the former and Zenyatta defeated males in the latter. Shirreffs grew up around horses at his family"s farm.
He served in the Marine Corps until he was discharged.
Later he broke yearlings for Editor Nahem at Lakeview thoroughbred farm. After that Shirreffs got his training license in 1978 and operated a small stable in Northern California.
