RIP old man:cry:
Thanks for posting-its not up on any of the major sites yet. It is nice though how he hung on so that so many people could say good-bye this past month.
Good Bye old guy, thank you.
From what I’ve read/heard. . he was having a
rough time of it this year. RIP, Great Horse.
RIP John Henry :sadsmile:
coolest. horse. ever.
RIP old man, I will never forget how you looked me in the eye in 94 and told me you knew I was a “horse person”
RIP, John. I pulled out the pics I took of him at the KHP in 1987, when he was in full health. I’ll remember him that way, not the more recent pics.
Godspeed Old Man, now you can run like the wind once again.
Bless You John Henry. You were loved by many and will never be forgotten. RIP Grand Old Man. :sadsmile:
A GREAT One
Oh. Damn.
I’m so glad I saw him in August.
Run like the wind, John Henry.
From the Kentucky Horse Park
THE GREAT JOHN HENRY IS GONE - One of Thoroughbred Racing’s Greatest Stars Will be Sorely Missed
LEXINGTON, KY (October 8, 2007) John Henry, the legendary Thoroughbred racehorse who was twice Horse of the Year, was humanely euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park today at 7:00 pm.
John Nicholson, executive director of the park expressed, “The mighty heart of the great John Henry has, at long last, yielded to time. The racing industry has lost a legend, but more significantly, many people have lost a personal hero. John Henry’s true legacy was written in people’s hearts far more indelibly than his superlative racing career could ever reflect.” He continued, “John Henry was a testament to the fact that a horse’s value is far greater than the sum of his pedigree, conformation, sales price and race record. Winston Churchill said that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, but I would add that horses like John Henry prove that the inside of a horse is even better for the inside of man.”
The sad but unanimous decision was reached by a team of people who knew him best. The park’s equine director, Kathy Hopkins stated, “After continued successful efforts to maintain the quality of John Henry’s life, in the past 48 hours he did not respond to our medical intervention. Due to the loss of kidney function and muscle mass, his veterinarian, Dr. Mike Beyer, found it impossible to keep him properly hydrated and comfortable. Over the years, our goal has always been to maintain the highest quality of care and life for him, and it became evident over the weekend that this was no longer possible. Our hearts go out to all of those who so deeply cared for John during his long and charismatic life.”
He lived 32-and-a-half years, and went peacefully to sleep surrounded by a small circle of friends who were closest to him, including Cathy Roby, who has been his friend and caretaker for 16 years and his breeder, Verna Lehmann.
Tom Levinson, stepson of the late Sam Rubin said, “John always had fire in his eyes as he circled his opponents in the paddock while they pranced, his eyes glazed with the determination to win. Certainly he was the people’s hero… Sam and Dorothy loved sharing John’s victories with his adoring fans and we appreciate their devotion even to this sad day… We are sure that if Sam Rubin were here today, he and my mother Dorothy would agree that their wish would be for John Henry to be remembered as the mighty, cantankerous champion we all loved.”
[I][B]And:
[/B][/I] Chris McCarron rode John Henry in 14 of his last races and has spent many hours with the horse during his 22 years at the park. Regarding the great horse’s passing, he observed, “What can I say about the legendary John Henry that has not already been said? John meant the world to my family and me. Everywhere he raced, his presence doubled the size of a normal race track crowd. He did so much for racing, even after he retired, that he will be impossible to replace. He will be sorely missed but forever in our hearts.”
And:
John Nicholson concluded, “The next few days will be terribly difficult for his fans, but especially for the people here at the park who have worked with him and loved him for so long. It was our unparalleled privilege to have John Henry living at the Kentucky Horse Park for the past 22 years.”
For the complete story, please see: http://www.kyhorsepark.com/news.php?articleID=57&pageid=73§ionid=9
R.I.P. Old Man. The races at the Bridge just added one heck of a contender.
How sad, he will be greatly missed by many…
RIP Old Man, Saw him several times over the last few years,
To those on the other side of the rainbow bridge…there’s a new sheriff in town…
We loved your heart and soul…
God Speed John Henry…
Somehow, it is just so fitting that this great heart picked himself up, despite age, disease, dehydration…and made sure that even more people got to see him one more time, to acknowledge him one more time.
To remember his shining moments, the pride and the ambition and the absolute will to fly.
The Look of Eagles, for sure.
Im glad you’re over The Bridge now.
godspeed, great one.
Ah, how sad. I will really cherish my picture of him looking at our mare over the fence at pony club champs. He was such a champion.
Goodnight wonderful, grumpy old man
He will be missed for sure.
Aw… I am crying. :sadsmile: I am so glad I got to see him in April. He lived a long, fruitful life. He was loved, adored, cared for by many.
Rest in peace John Henry.
Thank you John for all the joy you gave thousands of people. You will always be my hero.
Thank you John Henry. You will be missed.
