Person

1941 - 2013

Michael Jeffery 1941 - 2013, he was born at Auckland, New Zealand on 15 August 1941. On leaving school, he won a scholarship to the Elam School of Art, University of Auckland. In March 1961, he emigrated to England, where he was accepted as a private pupil by Juliet McLeod (later Thorpe), and studied under her for two years. He returned to New Zealand in 1971 and continued to specialise in equine art before moving to Australia in 1972, to take up the Victoria Racing Club's 'Australia Racehorse of the Year' commission. He painted the award winner for 14 years. He acquired a reputation for equine portraiture among owners and trainers in Melbourne and Sydney. In 1987, Michael moved to Chantilly in France, receiving commissions to paint winners of significant races in Italy, France and the UK, before moving to Newmarket in 1997. He painted out of a studio in All Saints Road and became a regular figure at the gallops winning the respect of many of the trainers. It was to be the base from which he travelled to Kentucky and Ireland, as well as France but Newmarket remained his home for the rest of his life. He died at Newmarket on 19 August 2013.