Jeff Hall, Ellis . ParkThe famous racing executive, who began his more than 50-year career at the track by parking his car as a teenager, died June 4 at the Jewish-Medical University Hospital. Louisville school. He is 75 years old.
A longtime resident of Henderson, Hall is known for his strong Tri-State local connections, his deep love of horse racing, and his knowledge of how members Different parts of the track work and are interrelated.
Coach John Hancock at Ellis Park said: “When we lost Jeff Hall, we lost both sides of the river. “Jeff Hall is the riders’ track manager. He’s always open. He’s always listening and does his best to get things done. He’s always smiling. He’s always there. That’s when we needed him.”
“I start nearly every day at Ellis by making myself a cup of coffee and spending the first 10-20 minutes with Jeff,” said Jeff Inman, general manager of Ellis Entertainment. “Just his optimism and energy motivates me to start a new day. He loves this place and loves sports; but most of all, he loves the people here. I rate appreciate his knowledge, but it is his friendship that will always remain with me.”
Hall loves to beat races and enjoys driving his golf cart around the backseat and socializing with the coaches. His preferred outfit is jeans, boots, a cap and a golf tee or shirt (especially England’s). If given the opportunity, he will wear a dress shirt and sometimes a sports jacket.
Hall’s wardrobe reflects his sloppy personality, which is one of the reasons he’s so popular with those who work with him.
“Jeff is Ellis Park’s rudder for the race and an organization,” said Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky HBPA. “He knows the people, knows how things need to work. He also sees the riders and the Kentucky HBPA as partners, with everyone having the goal of having the best race possible at Ellis Park. Jeff feels the same thrill every time he goes to Ellis Park – the horse continues to win big money. He’s so proud that Knicks Go and Shedhesthedevil trained there last summer.”
Marc Guilfoil, executive director of the Kentucky Equestrian Commission, said they first met when he was on the commission and Hall was chief executive officer at the long-closed Riverside Downs belt track in Henderson in the mid-1980s.
“Personally and professionally, there is no one better out there,” Guilfoil said. “Above all else, he’s a good friend. He really cares. He cares about the riders and he cares about the community. You know at every track, friend. call to get the job done and Jeff was our guy. He was our guy at Ellis Park and for a long time he was that guy. Jeff got it all done, or he was. will tell you it can’t be done A lie is not on him It may not be what you want to hear but he will tell you 100% truth: I can do it or I can’t do it.”
Hall graduated from Henderson High School (City) and Western Kentucky University. He worked for many years at Black Equipment selling heavy equipment and at one time worked in the oil business. During most of that time, Hall also worked summers at Ellis Park, starting as a serving secretary and progressing to full-time jobs as chief of staff to superintendent for training. Focus on racing department as racing executive.
Hall’s racing career spanned six ownership groups at Ellis Park, dating back to when Lester Yeager ran the track for the James C. Ellis heirs.
“Jeff knows everything about the racetrack: where are the wires, the pipes,” said Henderson’s businessman Bill Latta, a horse owner and a two-year post-Hall classmate at the school. “He’s been there long enough to know a lot about the overall establishment and lacks a better term, the politics of the horse business and any of their idiosyncrasies. That’s a lot of knowledge. institutional is now lost.”
He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Raini Smith Hall; two daughters, Kristie Hall Watson, and Ashley Harper Smith; brother Tim Hall; and nieces Charlie Watson and Margot Watson.
The celebration will be held from noon to 2 p.m. CT Saturday, June 11, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home, 604 Center Street, Henderson, Ky., 42420.
“Calling him a close friend is not right,” said Ellis Park race secretary Dan Bork. “He was a pleasure to work with and just to be around. He will be missed. He means so much to the racetrack and to the community.”
