.gif)
John Henry (horse)
Encyclopedia
John Henry was an American
Thoroughbred
race horse who had 39 wins, with $6,591,860 in earnings. He was twice voted the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
in 1981 and 1984, with his 1981 selection is the only one whereby the victor received all votes cast for that award. John Henry was also listed as #23 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.
John Henry
. As a colt, John Henry had a habit of tearing steel water and feed buckets off stall walls and stomping them flat. This reminded his then-owners of the legendary John Henry, who was known as a "steel-drivin' man". He was gelded
both for his temperament as well as his lack of good breeding. A Golden Chance Farm foal, John Henry was from breeding that might best be described as plebeian
. His sire, Ole Bob Bowers, once sold for just $900 and was not in much demand by breeders. His dam, Once Double, was an undistinguished runner and producer, but was sired by Double Jay, a brilliantly fast graded stakes race
winner who had proven to be a useful broodmare sire.
John Henry was sold as a yearling for $1,100 at the Keeneland January Mixed sale
to John Calloway who is credited with giving John Henry his name. Besides being back at the knee (a flaw in conformation
that generally makes a long racing career unlikely), undersized, and plainly bred, John Henry had bumped his head in his stall just before being led to the ring, bloodying his face.
on August 8, 1978. The race is of note in that John Henry finished behind Darby Creek Road who won in a track record time of 1:20 2/5 for seven furlongs. Also of note was the fact that unknown to all attending that day, the race card featured two future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
horses.
businessman Sam Rubin and his wife Dorothy paid $25,000 sight unseen for the then three-year-old John Henry. Racing under the Rubin's Dotsam Stable
banner, he was first conditioned by trainer
Robert Donato, a former policeman, who first saw his grass potential. Under him John Henry went on to win 6 of 19 starts and $120,000, starting the year as a cheap claimer and finishing it as a stakes winner. The following year, they had a disagreement on policy and parted ways and John Henry was given to a new trainer, Lefty Nickerson. Under him he won 4 of 11 races in 1979 but when the grass season was over in New York so Rubin decided to send him to California. Nickerson suggested his good friend Ron McAnally as trainer. Under McAnally, John Henry blossomed and won six stakes races in a row and his popularity began to grown. Initially the plan was to keep him under McAnally out west and Nickerson in the east, but eventually this was scrapped and McAnally had him full time. Because they were such good friends, Nickerson agreed to this and McAnally voluntarily gave him half of his 10% trainer's share of John Henry's earnings.
Racing through the age of nine, John Henry became a force to be reckoned with in handicap and turf stakes races. He won the 1981 Santa Anita Handicap
and repeated in 1982 after Perrault
was disqualified. He is one of only three horses with back-to-back victories in the race's 72 year history. He also twice won the Arlington Million Stakes
, and won three renewals of both the Hollywood Invitational Handicap and the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes, two Grade I turf stakes in Southern California. He also proved his class by winning one of America's most important races for older horses, the 1981 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, at 1½ miles on the dirt. This victory clinched his first Horse of the Year title.
A bronze statue called "Against All Odds," created by Edwin Bogucki, stands on a balcony overlooking the paddock at Arlington Park
. It commemorates one of John Henry's most thrilling, as well as controversial, finishes. 1981 was the inaugural Arlington Million
and two horses, John and an Irish
5 year-old named The Bart, came sweeping home almost as one horse. Virtually everyone watching, including the racing judges, was sure The Bart had beaten a charging John Henry. They were wrong. John won by a lip.
In the 1981 Oak Tree Invitational, Spence Bay blew by him in the stretch, and again he gamely came back to win.
On December 11, 1983, he became the first racehorse to surpass $4 million in career earnings when he won the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes
with jockey Chris McCarron
at Hollywood Park Racetrack.
John Henry's last race, the 1984 Ballantine Scotch Classic at the Meadowlands, was a memorable one. As he took the lead in the stretch, Meadowlands track announcer Dave Johnson exclaimed, "And down the stretch they come! The old man, John Henry, takes command!" He pulled away to his 39th career victory and his second Horse of the Year title. The final time of 2:13 equaled (at the time) the track record for 1⅜ mile.
, the richest single day of horse racing in the world, which was to be held November 10, 1984 at Hollywood Park.
Only a relatively late decision in October was made to supplement John Henry to the 1½ mile $2 million USD Turf Cup. Because his sire was never nominated to the BC, owner Sam Rubin had to supplement 20% of the total purse. A check for $133,000 USD was due October 30, 1984 and the balance $267,000 USD to be paid the first week of November. Rubin was quoted as saying 'It's a stupid thing to do. I'm doing it for the horse, for the jockey, for the trainer. I could have done without it. I hope he comes out of the race healthy; that's what I hope.
He was found to have a strained ligament in his left foreleg within days and the decision to scratch him from the BC was made by Rubin and ultimately he never returned to the track.
in 1981 and 1984, of which his 1981 election is notable in that it remains the only one whereby the victor received all votes cast for that award. In the annals of racing, John Henry earned his place of greatness through toughness, tenacity and hard work rather than intrinsic brilliance.
It wasn't until June 21, 1985, that owner Sam Rubin made the decision to retire John Henry, age 10, when he injured a tendon during a workout at Hollywood Park on July 19, 1985. He was subsequently unretired in a comeback bid but never returned to racing and retired a second time.
Rubin sent the gelding to the Kentucky Horse Park
in Lexington
in 1985 to live. No doubt because he was a gelding, but also because he was difficult to handle. On more than one occasion, John Henry bit his owner, or anyone else within reach. The acquisition of John Henry was seen as a major coup for the park, since several tracks in California sought to host John Henry in retirement, and Rubin had thought about retiring him on the East Coast. The Kentucky Horse Park was able to win out because the former president of the Keeneland
racing and sales operation in Lexington, Ted Bassett, persuaded McAnally to intercede with Rubin. John Henry's arrival at the park was the catalyst for gathering the first group of horses that would share the Hall of Champions with him. Today, the Hall houses many other retired champions, such as Cigar
and Da Hoss
.
John Henry lived at the park for only seven months before Rubin announced he would return him to training May 1, 1986. At the age of 11, he was in training for a comeback until a "recurring leg ailment" flared up in August 1986. Ron McAnally had been planning for John Henry's comeback in the Ballantine Classic at the Meadowlands September 3, 1986, (the same race John Henry won in his last outing in October 1984) and retired him a second time on August 12, 1986. He returned to the park, where he spent the rest of his life.
John Henry had many quirks that endeared him to his followers, not the least of which was the habit of turning towards the tote board after a victory as if checking the time of the race, or possibly the payoff. Regular rider Chris McCarron
often described him as very smart, commenting: "I'm just along for the ride." McAnally also attributed his career to his soundness, noting him to step over rocks on the way to his morning exercise. John Henry also once was determined to get to the winner's circle after losing a race, dragging his groom to get there.
John Henry, in the view of many followers of thoroughbred racing, was one of the best come-from-behind horses (or "closers") in recent history. In The Blood-Horse
ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, he was ranked #23.
John Henry was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
in Saratoga Springs, New York
in 1990.
at 7:05 pm EDT (2305 UTC
) on October 8, 2007 at the age of 32. He had developed serious kidney problems in August 2007, while Central Kentucky
was experiencing a heat wave. On October 6, he stopped responding to veterinary treatment, and the decision was made to put him down. Many who worked with him had the chance to say their goodbyes, most notably McCarron, who was notified of the decision to euthanize at 4:30 pm, arrived at the park at 5:30, and stayed with him until shortly before the veterinarian arrived.
He was buried on the night of his passing in front of the Hall of Champions, at a spot in front of his paddock. A memorial service was held at the park on October 19.
Above him there is a stone inscribed with the memorable poem of "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again." There is also a statue of him standing proudly, looking like he was staring at the enormous crowds that flocked to see him wherever he was. Engraved forever under it are the words that describe his life and impact,: "John Henry, A Lasting Legend."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
race horse who had 39 wins, with $6,591,860 in earnings. He was twice voted the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
in 1981 and 1984, with his 1981 selection is the only one whereby the victor received all votes cast for that award. John Henry was also listed as #23 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.
Early years
He was named after the folk heroFolk hero
A folk hero is a type of hero, real, fictional, or mythological. The single salient characteristic which makes a character a folk hero is the imprinting of the name, personality and deeds of the character in the popular consciousness. This presence in the popular consciousness is evidenced by...
John Henry
John Henry (folklore)
John Henry is an American folk hero and tall tale. Henry worked as a "steel-driver"—a man tasked with hammering and chiseling rock in the construction of tunnels for railroad tracks. In the legend, John Henry's prowess as a steel-driver was measured in a race against a steam powered hammer,...
. As a colt, John Henry had a habit of tearing steel water and feed buckets off stall walls and stomping them flat. This reminded his then-owners of the legendary John Henry, who was known as a "steel-drivin' man". He was gelded
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
both for his temperament as well as his lack of good breeding. A Golden Chance Farm foal, John Henry was from breeding that might best be described as plebeian
Plebs
The plebs was the general body of free land-owning Roman citizens in Ancient Rome. They were distinct from the higher order of the patricians. A member of the plebs was known as a plebeian...
. His sire, Ole Bob Bowers, once sold for just $900 and was not in much demand by breeders. His dam, Once Double, was an undistinguished runner and producer, but was sired by Double Jay, a brilliantly fast graded stakes race
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winner who had proven to be a useful broodmare sire.
John Henry was sold as a yearling for $1,100 at the Keeneland January Mixed sale
Keeneland Sales
The Keeneland Sales is an American Thoroughbred auction house in Lexington, Kentucky founded in 1935 as a nonprofit racing/auction entity on 147 acres of farmland west of Lexington, which had been owned by Jack O. Keene...
to John Calloway who is credited with giving John Henry his name. Besides being back at the knee (a flaw in conformation
Equine conformation
Equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other. Undesirable conformation can limit the ability to perform a specific task. Although there are several universal "faults," a horse's conformation is...
that generally makes a long racing career unlikely), undersized, and plainly bred, John Henry had bumped his head in his stall just before being led to the ring, bloodying his face.
Racing record
He had a series of trainers, making his mark as a workmanlike racehorse who earned money in minor stakes, allowance races, and mid-level claiming races. One such allowance race took place at Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
on August 8, 1978. The race is of note in that John Henry finished behind Darby Creek Road who won in a track record time of 1:20 2/5 for seven furlongs. Also of note was the fact that unknown to all attending that day, the race card featured two future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
horses.
Going to California
In 1978, New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
businessman Sam Rubin and his wife Dorothy paid $25,000 sight unseen for the then three-year-old John Henry. Racing under the Rubin's Dotsam Stable
Dotsam Stable
Dotsam Stable was an American Thoroughbred horse racing stable owned by New York City businessman Sam Rubin and his wife Dorothy.Sam Rubin was a successful bicycle importer and a fan of Thoroughbred horse racing. In 1978 he and wife Dorothy paid $25,000 sight unseen for a then three-year-old...
banner, he was first conditioned by trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
Robert Donato, a former policeman, who first saw his grass potential. Under him John Henry went on to win 6 of 19 starts and $120,000, starting the year as a cheap claimer and finishing it as a stakes winner. The following year, they had a disagreement on policy and parted ways and John Henry was given to a new trainer, Lefty Nickerson. Under him he won 4 of 11 races in 1979 but when the grass season was over in New York so Rubin decided to send him to California. Nickerson suggested his good friend Ron McAnally as trainer. Under McAnally, John Henry blossomed and won six stakes races in a row and his popularity began to grown. Initially the plan was to keep him under McAnally out west and Nickerson in the east, but eventually this was scrapped and McAnally had him full time. Because they were such good friends, Nickerson agreed to this and McAnally voluntarily gave him half of his 10% trainer's share of John Henry's earnings.
Racing through the age of nine, John Henry became a force to be reckoned with in handicap and turf stakes races. He won the 1981 Santa Anita Handicap
Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
and repeated in 1982 after Perrault
Perrault (horse)
Perrault was a British-bred Champion Thoroughbred racehorse who competed successfully in both France and the United States. A grandson of Tanerko, Perrault's great-grandsire was the French champion Tantieme who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe back-to- back in 1950 and 1951...
was disqualified. He is one of only three horses with back-to-back victories in the race's 72 year history. He also twice won the Arlington Million Stakes
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
, and won three renewals of both the Hollywood Invitational Handicap and the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes, two Grade I turf stakes in Southern California. He also proved his class by winning one of America's most important races for older horses, the 1981 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, at 1½ miles on the dirt. This victory clinched his first Horse of the Year title.
A bronze statue called "Against All Odds," created by Edwin Bogucki, stands on a balcony overlooking the paddock at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
. It commemorates one of John Henry's most thrilling, as well as controversial, finishes. 1981 was the inaugural Arlington Million
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
and two horses, John and an Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
5 year-old named The Bart, came sweeping home almost as one horse. Virtually everyone watching, including the racing judges, was sure The Bart had beaten a charging John Henry. They were wrong. John won by a lip.
In the 1981 Oak Tree Invitational, Spence Bay blew by him in the stretch, and again he gamely came back to win.
On December 11, 1983, he became the first racehorse to surpass $4 million in career earnings when he won the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes
Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes
The Hollywood Turf Cup is an American stakes race for thoroughbred horses at Hollywood Park Racetrack. A Grade I event, it is open to horses, age three and up, and run at a distance of one and one-half miles. The Hollywood Turf Cup offers a purse of $250,000....
with jockey Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
at Hollywood Park Racetrack.
John Henry's last race, the 1984 Ballantine Scotch Classic at the Meadowlands, was a memorable one. As he took the lead in the stretch, Meadowlands track announcer Dave Johnson exclaimed, "And down the stretch they come! The old man, John Henry, takes command!" He pulled away to his 39th career victory and his second Horse of the Year title. The final time of 2:13 equaled (at the time) the track record for 1⅜ mile.
Inaugural Breeders Cup 1984
John Henry, despite coming off a four race win streak in 1984, was not initially pointed to the inaugural running of the Breeders' CupBreeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
, the richest single day of horse racing in the world, which was to be held November 10, 1984 at Hollywood Park.
Only a relatively late decision in October was made to supplement John Henry to the 1½ mile $2 million USD Turf Cup. Because his sire was never nominated to the BC, owner Sam Rubin had to supplement 20% of the total purse. A check for $133,000 USD was due October 30, 1984 and the balance $267,000 USD to be paid the first week of November. Rubin was quoted as saying 'It's a stupid thing to do. I'm doing it for the horse, for the jockey, for the trainer. I could have done without it. I hope he comes out of the race healthy; that's what I hope.
He was found to have a strained ligament in his left foreleg within days and the decision to scratch him from the BC was made by Rubin and ultimately he never returned to the track.
Summary
His final race record stood at 83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, and 9 thirds with $6,497,947 in earnings. He was twice voted the Eclipse Award for Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
in 1981 and 1984, of which his 1981 election is notable in that it remains the only one whereby the victor received all votes cast for that award. In the annals of racing, John Henry earned his place of greatness through toughness, tenacity and hard work rather than intrinsic brilliance.
Retirement
Rubin sent the gelding to the Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located off Kentucky State Highway 1973 and Interstate 75 in northern Fayette County in the United States...
in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
in 1985 to live. No doubt because he was a gelding, but also because he was difficult to handle. On more than one occasion, John Henry bit his owner, or anyone else within reach. The acquisition of John Henry was seen as a major coup for the park, since several tracks in California sought to host John Henry in retirement, and Rubin had thought about retiring him on the East Coast. The Kentucky Horse Park was able to win out because the former president of the Keeneland
Keeneland
Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial...
racing and sales operation in Lexington, Ted Bassett, persuaded McAnally to intercede with Rubin. John Henry's arrival at the park was the catalyst for gathering the first group of horses that would share the Hall of Champions with him. Today, the Hall houses many other retired champions, such as Cigar
Cigar (horse)
Cigar , is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, who in 1995 and 1996 became the first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since the Triple Crown winner, Citation did so in 1948 and 1950...
and Da Hoss
Da Hoss
Da Hoss by Gone West out of Jolly Saint is a bay Thoroughbred gelding best known for twice winning the Breeders' Cup Mile. He was bred in Kentucky by Fares Farms and originally owned by Prestonwood Farm as well as Wallstreet Racing Stables.Bought for only $6,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland...
.
John Henry lived at the park for only seven months before Rubin announced he would return him to training May 1, 1986. At the age of 11, he was in training for a comeback until a "recurring leg ailment" flared up in August 1986. Ron McAnally had been planning for John Henry's comeback in the Ballantine Classic at the Meadowlands September 3, 1986, (the same race John Henry won in his last outing in October 1984) and retired him a second time on August 12, 1986. He returned to the park, where he spent the rest of his life.
John Henry had many quirks that endeared him to his followers, not the least of which was the habit of turning towards the tote board after a victory as if checking the time of the race, or possibly the payoff. Regular rider Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
often described him as very smart, commenting: "I'm just along for the ride." McAnally also attributed his career to his soundness, noting him to step over rocks on the way to his morning exercise. John Henry also once was determined to get to the winner's circle after losing a race, dragging his groom to get there.
John Henry, in the view of many followers of thoroughbred racing, was one of the best come-from-behind horses (or "closers") in recent history. In The Blood-Horse
The Blood-Horse magazine
The Blood-Horse is an international weekly news magazine about Thoroughbred horses, horse breeding, and horseracing. It was founded in 1916, the oldest continually published North American Thoroughbred magazine. The magazine is based in Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World...
ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, he was ranked #23.
John Henry was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
in 1990.
Death
John Henry was euthanizedAnimal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
at 7:05 pm EDT (2305 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
) on October 8, 2007 at the age of 32. He had developed serious kidney problems in August 2007, while Central Kentucky
Bluegrass region
The Bluegrass Region is a geographic region in the state of Kentucky, United States. It occupies the northern part of the state and since European settlement has contained a majority of the state's population and its largest cities....
was experiencing a heat wave. On October 6, he stopped responding to veterinary treatment, and the decision was made to put him down. Many who worked with him had the chance to say their goodbyes, most notably McCarron, who was notified of the decision to euthanize at 4:30 pm, arrived at the park at 5:30, and stayed with him until shortly before the veterinarian arrived.
He was buried on the night of his passing in front of the Hall of Champions, at a spot in front of his paddock. A memorial service was held at the park on October 19.
Above him there is a stone inscribed with the memorable poem of "If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven, and bring you home again." There is also a statue of him standing proudly, looking like he was staring at the enormous crowds that flocked to see him wherever he was. Engraved forever under it are the words that describe his life and impact,: "John Henry, A Lasting Legend."
John Henry's accomplishments
- Voted 7 Eclipse Awards
- Voted Horse of the Year 1981 and 1984
- Voted Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male HorseThe title of American Champion Older Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a stallion or gelding, four years old and up. Prior to 1971, this award was referred to as "Champion Handicap Male Horse", and was open to any horse, three years old and up...
1981
- Oldest horse to win Eclipse Award for Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Horse of the YearThe American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
- at age 9 - Oldest horse to win a Grade 1 race - at age 9 (tied)
- Voted Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf HorseThe American Champion Male Turf Horse award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. In 1971 it became part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to a Colt or Gelding, regardless of age, for their performance on grass race courses....
- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984 - Won 30 stakes races
- Only horse to win the Arlington MillionArlington MillionThe Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
(G1) twice - 1981 & 1984 - One of only three horses to win the Santa Anita HandicapSanta Anita HandicapThe Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
(G1) twice - 1981 & 1982 - Won more graded stakes than any other Thoroughbred - 25
- Voted racehorse of the decade for the 1980s
- Retired as the world's richest thoroughbred - July 28, 1985
- Inducted into National Museum of Racing and Hall of FameNational Museum of Racing and Hall of FameThe National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in 1990 - Ranked #23 in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century
- Most group one/grade one (G1) wins, 16
- Raced in 45 graded (G1,G2,G3) races
- Raced on 18 different North American race tracks
- Won inaugural running of the Arlington MillionArlington MillionThe Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
(1981) - Oldest horse at age 9 to win the Arlington MillionArlington MillionThe Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
(1984) - John Henry's 7 Eclipse Awards second to only Forego's 8
Tabulated pedigree
Footnotes
- "John Henry to run in Cup" Associated Press Oct 31, 1984
- "Retirement Home" UPI August 2, 1985
- "John Henry, at 11, is returning to races" New York Times May 1, 1986
- "No Comeback" New York Times August 13, 1986
- John Henry's page in the United States' Hall of Fame, with photo and videos
- John Henry's pedigree
- 2005 Bloodhorse.com article Fans Celebrate John Henry's 30th Birthday
- Haskin, SteveSteve HaskinSteve Haskin is an award-winning American horse racing journalist and author.A former Wall Street employee, Haskin was entranced by the "Sport of Kings"...
. John Henry Eclipse PressBlood-Horse PublicationsBlood-Horse Publications is an American multimedia publishing house focused on horse-related magazines.Blood-Horse Publications is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Their book-publishing arm is Eclipse Press...
(2001) ISBN 978-1581501506 - John Henry at the Kentucky Horse Park