Ah! I feel like we were all expecting this soon, but wow. Of course, every year I thought it might be the last! And how he exceeded my expectations! I suppose the same could be said for his racing career. I saw him when I was a young kid- he was old then too! I visited once more last year on a cold quiet March day, he seemed every bit retired, and not mean at all. Sometimes the most amazing thing about a great thoroughbred is that, in the end, he is still just a horse. Not to take anything away- quite the opposite; just that when you think of his accomplishments and glory, his athletic feats, and what he meant to so many people, it’s incredible to believe when you see him that he is actually, in many regards, simply a horse.
He had wonderful care in the end and it seems his passing was very easy. Rest in peace.
Godspeed, brave heart. :sadsmile:
He nickered at me once, I’ll never forget it. 
Godspeed, you grumpy, magnificent old man. Go give that whippersnapper Barbaro a run for his money. I’m so glad we got to see you a few weeks ago. RIP
Rest in Peace. May your body now be as strong as your heart.
RIP, Old Man! :sadsmile:
My first live introduction to American racing was the Arlington Million in '81. Before that we only ever saw clips after the fact of big races and read of the legendary exploits of the likes of Slew, Secretariat, young Stevie Cauthen’s amazing TC win on Affirmed.
The first Million was different. It was a big deal, first race worth a Million dollars, and on the grass, with horses invited from Europe to try they’re hand. And we got to see it live, albeit very late in the evening. Legendary Irish racing commentator, Mícheál Ó hEithir was even brought in to be part of the US network commentary team. In the build up to the race we kept hearing about some horse with the less than regal name of “John Henry”, who was this unusual of animals in that he cold run against and beat the best on grass and dirt. We didn’t know much about dirt racing, but surely this race on grass would go to a European raider. Then we saw him, and he seemed aptly named, small and unassuming, almost like a pony. Damn, did he ever make a believer of me that night. Kept an eye out for news of him after that, and reports would filter through of some other big race he won… the Jockey Club Gold Cup, some big Handicap and other races with exotic sounding Spanish names at exotic sounding Santa Anita. With each report we listened or read with wild eyed amazement as his bankroll of earnings grew, $2m, $3m, $5m, over $6m, man this horse was printing money! He won the Million again in '84, but I was sad when the news came that he wouldn’t run in the first Breeder’s Cup. I wanted to see him again.
I love racing, but I especially love world racing, and he was the horse that really introduced me to the fact that great horses are great horses whether they are galloping over the fabled ground of Flemington, Longchamp, Santa Anita, or Sha Tin. But most of all I just loved that he was lowly bred but ran his heart out, and what a fighter he was.
Here is that first Arlington Million, with all the after race footage and interviews… back when racing coverage was good.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh do anam uasal, old boy… and thanks for the memories.
I just saw him on Saturday morning, when he was out for his walk. He nuzzled my hand when I stroked his cheek. I’ll never forget the expression in his eyes- brilliant and alive in a wasted and failing body. God speed, grand pony.
My heart aches that he’s gone. I really had a soft spot for this one.
RIP John Henry.
RIP, John Henry
Aw thanks for putting that up Drvmb. I still can’t believe that race. I don’t know that I’d seen the post race before but it cracked me up when that trainer said his mare was for sale. Too funny. And then they couldn’t get John Henry to stand.
That video is a nice way to remember him.
I’ll have to watch the video later since I can’t get to it right now, but I’m looking forward to it.
I guess I shouldn’t be shocked over this news, but I am. A little heartbroken, too.
RIP, Old Man. Have a great time galloping through the green fields on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. 
Great to see that video!
I saw him in July, he would not let me get a picture. The nice lady there finally let me stand in the stall door. Bless his heart.
He was a tough horse, with a big heart, and ran great races.
RIP John Henry
He defied the odds for so long. It was a honor to stand in his presence. RIP - John Henry.
John here is to you - Godspeed to one stirring champion who earned every ounce of ink he ever garnered in the press, every cheer and ovation by the packed in fans at the races and every visitor who ever paused at his KHP stall and said in reverent tone “that is THE John Henry”! The last of the Mohicans, if you will, of horses who was grit, heart and determination inspite of high handicaps, younger competitors, and anything but soft schedules.
If you hear thunder tomorrow, rest assured that it’s the son of Old Bob Bowers hooves pounding the ‘turf’ in one heck of race in the heavens not seen since the early 1980’s.
I’ll take a win ticket on John Henry 
Godspeed John Henry…
Oh, Glimmerglass, you have renewed my tears. That was so beautifully put. Thank you all for these wonderful tributes to John. I loved him dearly, and it is so good to read them, now. I had hoped to visit him again, but I am too late. He enriched our lives, like a glory train passing through us. He is not gone; we just cannot see him any more.
If you would like to sign his Guest Book:
http://www.legacy.com/Kentucky/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=95833612&PageNo=1
I had no idea… he was such a cool horse! I have been to the KY horse park a bunch over the last few years to go to horse shows and such and one of my favorite things to do was to go see him and to go to the “stride markers” and look at his stride next to the big guys… he will be missed!
An honorable ending for our noble ambassador. He made his last year his own, greeting the newest generation of horse fans, joining in the parades, and flirting with the mares.
There was a fitting tribute to John Henry last night on HRT, or TVG. Not sure which one as it was late… went to bed dreaming of horse racing…
I have some wonderful pictures of John Henry from a few yrs ago… we are headed to Kentucky in a few weeks, and were planning to stop by the Horse Park for a final visit…I am grateful that he did not suffer, and will always remember him for the grand horse he was.
