Jeff commenced fielding as a bookmaker in 1968, coincidentally his 24th birthday. Initially working the dog meetings in the Hunter Valler and Central Coast, he soon decided to make bookmaking his full time career and commenced on thoroughbreds at Newcastle. His first Newcastle Gold Cup meeting in 1969 (won by Maigret) was also the day his first daughter was born. In 1984 Jeff began fielding at all Sydney tracks. From Leger and Paddock stands he quickly moved to the Rails and has remained there to this day, certainly Sydney’s, and quite possibly Australia’s, longest serving Rails bookie. Jeff has always operated as a genuine ‘bookmaker’ rather than a punter, aiming to lay all runners equally and pay the minimum out. His philosophy has been to believe that “every horse he lays will lose” though this theory isn’t guaranteed, sometimes having to rely on 100/1 shots like Prince of Penzance stealing the Melbourne Cup from a VERY heavily laid Max Dynamite! With his interest in racing coming from his parents, keen racegoers who he accompanied to the track from a young age, it was no surprise that Jeff involved his four daughters in the great game. With all clerking for him, and two going on to field as bookmakers in their own right, there was certainly a case of ‘breaking the mould’ given the male dominated industry. Still enjoying his time at the track, one of Jeff’s favourite sayings is that “I retired from work when I was 24 and have spent the rest of my life going to the races”. The Australian Turf Club recognises Jeff’s significant contribution to racing across his 57 years and wishes him well into the future. JEFF PENDLEBURY
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