John Henry Horse of the Year Euthanized
Posted on October 10, 2007
Former Horse of the Year (twice), John Henry was euthanized October 8 2007 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. He was foaled in 1975 at Golden Chance Farm in Paris Kentucky. So he was quite old as far as horses go at 32 and a half years old when he passed away.
His story is quite well known - having to overcome many obstacles before finally making it into the big time. He was initially sold as an average racer with a bad disposition, and a conformation defect called “back at the knee” and went for a mere $900. He was then resold at the January mixed sale at Keeneland in Lexington. Just prior to be putting up for sale, he hurt himself in his stall, and came out bloody and scraped up - and went for $1100. As he got older, his disposition grew worse and he would frequently tear buckets off of their wall and flatten them. This gave birth to his name as John Henry, named after the famous folk hero that was a “steel driving man”.
He was then taken back to Keeneland and resold for $2200. He was then gelded in the hopes that it would improve his temperament. And he was then resold for $10,000. He won his first race, and then lost the next 9. Those owners then traded him back for 2 other horses. That owner then resold him again to a person sight unseen over the phone.
The new owner put a new trainer in charge of handling the poor mannered youngster. John Henry won 6 of 19 starts. He continued through new trainers/owners until he finally came under trainer Ron McAnally. Under his leadership, kindness, and training, John Henry went from the bad tempered horse that no one wanted, to one of the greatest superstar legends of all time in the horse racing industry.
His record remains impressive. He was named Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984. He won more than $6.5 million in earnings and had 39 wins. He tied the track record at Santa Anita for 1.5 miles and ran it at 2:23. He is the only horse to ever win Horse of the Year during non-consecutive years.
The Kentucky Horse Park is currently planning a memorial service for the public to come and pay their respects to such an all star in the horse industry.
» Filed Under Kentucky Horse Events and Clinics, Lexington Kentucky
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