Jeff the Lion

Jeff The Lion, who goes by Jeffery, was foaled on February 23, 2015 at Indian Hills Farm in Edwardsville, Illinois. Coincidently, Readthefootnotes was also foaled at Indian Hills that same spring, and the two of them would remain stablemates for his entire career.

When Jeffery was a two-year-old he went to Tampa Bay Downs to the stable of Michele Boyce, where he would remain for the following seven years. He was an exuberant racehorse and routinely gave the gate crew fits. He broke his maiden first time out at Tampa then went on to spend the majority of his career in Chicago. He was raced sparingly (as is Michele’s practice) and his career lasted until he was nine years old, along the way picking up earnings of over $150,000.

When the time came for retirement, Jeffery was placed with Galloping Out, the Chicago on track retirement program. After a good long vacation, he went to Wellspring Riding Academy to begin his next career as a hunter/jumper. Jeffery took to the show horse life so well that even with a late start (March) he was pointed to the 2025 RRP. Not only did he make it to the Thoroughbred Makeover, he and his 14-year-old partner placed 21st in the show hunter category and 26th in the show jumper division while competing against professional riders and adult amateurs. His partner Audrey finished 2nd and 3rd against all junior riders.

Jeff The Lion lives at Wellspring Riding Academy in Kankakee, IL and is looking for his forever home.