By Jordan Gerrans
When the late Jeffery Jones walked into his home some 40 years ago with a greyhound, most in the house were confused as they had little involvement with the breed until then.
Jeffery’s wife Lillian knew nothing about racing dogs and as his daughter Selena recalls, Lillian did not really like them very much at that stage.
What started as one dog four decades ago quickly turned into a deep passion for the Jones clan, with Selena now one of the leading conditioners in the Sunshine State.
“Mum was quickly hooked and that was the end of that,” Selena remembers.
“It took off from there as we just got more dogs.”
The influence of the respected former trainer and racing administrator – Jeffery – is honoured every year at Capalaba with the running of the Jeffery Jones Celebration of Life Trophy.
The first week of the series was held last Sunday afternoon, with five strong heats contested down the grass straight.
The Final for 2023 will headline racing at the track this Sunday afternoon with Jeffery’s daughter set to feature in the decider for the first time.
The race was first installed into the Queensland racing calendar in 2019 following Jeffery’s passing.
Following his death, Jeffery was described as intelligent, caring, generous, knowledgeable, wise, and a pillar of the greyhound racing industry in Queensland for more than a few decades.
He was a founding member of the Queensland Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association and a former president of the organisation.
“A well-respected former trainer and great greyhound racing man who was also heavily involved with the Capalaba club for many years,” leading broadcaster John ‘Bunny’ Brasch noted about Jeffery before last Sunday’s heats.
According to Selena, her late father was always one to go out of his way to help others within the greyhound game.
“He was willing to help people out if they found themselves in an undesirable situation and did not know what to do,” Selena said.
“Dad was always there to lend a hand to people.
“And, he also ruffled some people up the wrong way at times, but most of all, he just tried to help promote the industry and do the right thing.”
Selena now trains in partnership with her husband Michael Zammit at Willow Vale.
Selena and Michael have been together for the last 28 years.
She says Michael and her later father have been her greatest influences in the industry.
Selena was just 12 years of age when Jeffery first brought a greyhound to their home.
“I used to take the dogs for a walk, empty them, all that sort of stuff for him in the morning and at night time,” Selena recalls.
“That was my job for him when I was a teenager.
“Dad certainly guided me around how to train a dog and everything you need to do and look for with a greyhound.
“I love having the dogs around now and if it was not for Dad bringing home a greyhound 40 years ago I probably would not be where I am today doing what I am.”