Racing Great John Henry Dead at 32

[auburngrad82]

Source: Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Henry wasn't the friendliest horse — far from it. However, his ability to turn a humble pedigree into the resume of a champion made him a prime attraction at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he spent his final 22 years.

"We would always bring kids to John Henry's paddock and say, 'Here is a great champion,'" said John Nicholson, the park's executive director.

Grumpy yet beloved, the thoroughbred great died Monday after 32 years of defying odds — both in racing success and longevity.

The two-time Horse of the Year, who earned more than $6.5 million before retiring as a gelding to the park where he became an icon, was euthanized Monday night in his paddock there.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jccMgNx-AXG4Qx3SzIxzqzm_O7CAD8S5JA700

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This is sad for me. I told my wife last week that if John Henry made it to the spring I wanted to go see him. He was a great champion.

[FARAFIELD]

1. Wow I was going to see him

We were going to the KY Horse Park for a mini vaction (school is out for teacher work days) to see him. In Two days, I guess I jinxed him. Well years ago when i was working in LA i went to the McAnnaly Stable and had a chance to pet him. But my wife and Kids hadnt. He was the best horse in My lifetime (Maybe Kelso who stopped running when i was 4). Saw him win a race, great treat.

[auburngrad82]

2. He was the winningest thoroughbred when he retired

Over $6.5 million. I like the fact that he wasn't the biggest, or prettiest or nicest horse out there. He was scrappy and fought to win every race. He was a great racehorse.

[jojo54]

3. That's tough.

Commentators were just recently talking about him during some race that hub was watching, and they were saying that he was still out to stud within the past year. Amazing horse.

[petersjo02]

7. Out to pasture, maybe

but not out to stud. He no longer had the requisite parts to allow him to be a stud.

[jojo54]

8. Wishful thinking on the commentators part???

:rofl:

[Doctor_J]

4. 32!

Impressive, especially for gelding. RIP, Big Guy!

[damntexdem]

5. When he was a baby, sitting at his daddy's knee ...

they wondered why a horse was sitting.

[Dr.Phool]

6. Which car did he drive?

When I saw the title, I thought NASCAR. I forgot about the horse.

[kevinmc]

9. Lot of good times watching that horse run ...n/t

[AnneD]

10. If I were a race horse....

and someone made me a gelding.....I'd be grumpy too!!!!x(

[yellowcanine]

12. Actually gelding them usually calms them down - works that way for steers anyway.

I see no reason why it would not work that way for people - not that I am recommending that, mind you. It would probably work, though.

[auburngrad82]

17. They gelded him because he was incredibly mean

He would kick and bite anyone who came near him. It didn't really help since he was always grumpy but leaving him a stallion would not have been a good thing and it may have actually contributed to his long life.

[AnneD]

20. I don't think of him as mean....

just not suffering fools-that's all.

[MasonJar]

11. Geldings do not go our to stud of course, but what do newscasters know?

I've seen him several times at the beautiful Horse Park. Each time was exciting.

[skorpo]

13. He had a good home at the Kentucky Horse Farm

Visited him there each year since 2002. He was in their Hall of Champions Barn. They gave him a good home and pretty much let him have his way. So I guess he was happy as he could be. Rest in Peace, John Henry. Hope you're galloping through a beautiful meadow with Barbaro and the other greats.

[auburngrad82]

18. He could not have had a better retirement

The Horse Park is a great place for the champions to retire to.

[kskiska]

21. Unlike Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand

who was sent to Japan as an older stallion and ended up on someone's dinner plate.

[auburngrad82]

23. Exceller is another Kentucky Derby winner who was slaughtered

and Secretariat's brother was recently rescued from a slaughteryard. He's 33 years old and doing well at a horse retirement farm.

[bklyncowgirl]

14. RIP John Henry. A great old horse who had a good life.

I'll never forget watching him win at the Meadowlands with Bill Shoemaker on board. I think he was 9 years old at the time running against horses half his age. He was lying fourth, stuck behind horses halfway down the stretch and it looked like it was all over, when suddenly, a horse drifted out, Shoe just moved his hands and John Henry burst through the hole and took the lead. It was a great performance.

I had $20 riding on him at 4 to 1 odds--or at least I though I did. It turned out my husband who'd never been to the track got my bet mixed up and put the money on the wrong horse.

I've been following his illnesses and recoveries. They thought they'd lose him this spring when he seemed depressed. They started taking the old horse out on walks around the horse park--letting him go anywhere he wanted. He not only found something to live for--apparently loved visiting the colts--and walking out on the cross country course--but was far more agreeable to getting his medicine.

The heat this summer took a toll. He became dehydrated and had to be put on intravenous. A few weeks ago he started getting better. He must have taken a turn for the worse.

[aaronbees]

15. What a great memory of him

If that was when he was nine, I think that may have been his final race! I saw him at the Million that year - couldn't see much from my vantage point until that white shadowroll appeared (bobbing up and down with his head down low and legs firing like pistons) and then I knew he would win. He was one for the ages.

His lifetime PPs: http://www.drf.com/misc/edit/johnhenry_lifetimepps.pdf

And final race at the Meadowlands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fMlGXU67Ok

[bklyncowgirl]

16. Yes that was a great race with two old veterans showing the kids how the job is done

Of course I was pretty pissed at my husband. On the other hand, since I believe that I am the kiss of death to race horses (not to mention presidential candidates) my husband putting my bet on another horse may have allowed old John to go out in a blaze of glory.

I also saw him at the Horse Park a few years. Not an impressive looking horse by any means especially near his neighbor the absolutely stunning and sociable Cigar. He looked like a grumpy old pony.

I'm glad that the folks at the Horse Park made his last months as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

[JorgeTheGood]

19. John Henry's Arlington Million

In 1981, I was on the apron of Arlington Park, at the finish line, when John Henry came charging down the stretch to nose out (by a whisker) 'The Bart', to win the innaugural running of the Arlington Million. Absolutely fantastic finish. The horse had a lot of heart.

Jorge

[daleo]

22. I wonder if anyone thought to keep a few cells?

They clone horses, don't they? (well, sheep anyway).