May he rest in peace, racing with the others who are over the bridge. :sadsmile: We’ll miss you here on earth, but look forward to seeing you run free when we join you.
This is really sad news. While I’m sad I never got to see him, I’m glad he was euthanized if it was his time. Just knowing that he’s spirit was not stifled at the end comforts me.
This thread makes me cry. Glimmerglass, your post especially. 
Godspeed, John Henry. We visited yearly on our Breyerfest trips (past 9 years) and (like Shea’s Mom) we couldn’t get a photo this year. Maybe he wanted to be sure we remembered his better days…
Godspeed…
I’m so sorry I didn’t get to see him this year- I have visited him at the Park each year for a long time…
My heart especially goes out to Cathy Roby. She must be heartbroken at the loss of her most noble charge. I am sure he carved out a plce in her, and will remain there forever. Bless her, and the folks at the Park, for making Johns retirement a long and happy time, and his end a dignified one, befitting the great champion that he was…
I saw him in July when I was there to do the Parade of Breeds with my stallion. He showed such great dignity. He was there when I visited the Park in 1988 for the first time also. He was such an icon and I’m certain he will be sorely missed.
Run John Henry Run.
One of my favorite “sights” during Dad’s old business trips to KY. Thank you, John Henry. We’ll miss you.
Memorial Service at KHP, 10/19/07
KHP News Release:
http://www.kyhorsepark.com/news.php?articleID=58&pageid=73§ionid=9
Memorial Service Planned for the Great John Henry
He was not the best race horse. He was not the fastest or the busiest. He wasn’t the greatest weight carrier, and certainly not the handsomest or the most personable. But he was the most remarkable horse who ever raced – anywhere.
Joe Hirsch
Retired Daily Racing Form columnist
A public memorial service to remember and celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of John Henry will be held
October 19 at 2pm at the park.
Please plan to join us.
His earthly vessel shall restrain him no longer. He is now where he belongs, amidst the greatest runners that ever graced us with their presence, in a heavenly stable where I hope to work some day…
In 1984, when I was 13 years old, I fashioned a shadow roll out of a couple sheepskin halter fuzzies and affixed it to the noseband of a seal brown off-track QH belonging to a neighbor who so graciously allowed me to ride him endlessly over through the streets and wooded paths of my hometown… I did so not because my mount jumped at lines or shadows on the ground, but because I wanted to pretend I was riding the great John Henry as we galloped over our imaginary turf track which encircled the local baseball field…
I made the pilgrimage in May. He rewarded my patience handsomely.
He’s not going to rest. He is John Henry.
Saw him about 8 weeks ago or so, it was obvious this was not going to continue much longer. Agree the eyes were there but the body was not.
So I’ll toast to John Henry and say run again as you once did. Not rest.
I have to agree VB, Glimmerglass said it best. "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. "
When the drought and heat come to an end tonight, it will be John Henry’s hoof beats in the sky that bring the rain…tears from heaven, to mark the end of a great horse.
Rest in Peace, JH you were a real tough horse.
Wow, we were in Lexington for Fallstars weekend at Keeneland and I told my wife that I wanted to make sure we got by to see him before we left.
We saw him at 12:50 on Sunday (checked the time stamp on the picture). They said they no longer present him in the parade of champions, but did not really mention his recent illness. He was quietly eating hay and not paying attention to those around him. There were cards hung on his stall which I took pictures of. I’ll post those later (can’t get to webshots from here). The couple of pics I took of him were not flattering and I’ll just keep those to myself.
Glad he had a peaceful passing.
John’s Guest Book has surpassed 20 pages of stirring tributes to him. It is so good to cry with others over the loss of this defiant and thrilling horse. He was the glory train that passed through us all. The emptiness of his stall is palpable everywhere.
There are some grand photographs of John on this link:
http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/197536.html
The one of him on his 30th birthday with Chris McCarron would bring tears to a stone.
At every KHP show, I never missed my chance to go over and say hello to the “grumpy old man.” He was so awesome and strong and gave us such wonderful memories.
I first became interested in racing in the early 1980’s when John Henry was at the top of the game. So he marks the very beginning of my racing life and memories. I saw him run in so many races on TV and I always thought he was so cool. It’s going to be strange and hard to get used to John Henry not being around anymore.
Godspeed, John. You da man. :sadsmile:
John Henry: 1975-2007: at rest now
Thanks to all of you, especially Glimmerglass and Grits for such wonderful words describing our hero, John. I felt the tears from above early this morning when a gentle rain was falling. I had expected John’s thunder from the Bridge, but there was none. Perhaps it’s because he got his way again and is finally at peace. I think once John catches his breath and realizes that there are racetracks to conquer at the Bridge, we will eventually hear the thundering hooves once he finds Secretariat, Ruffian, Barbaro and Old Bob Bowers. What a re-union and race that will be. My money’s on John!
I like your horse race and I certainly loved JH but my money is on Ruffian! We had some rain today, sprinkles from above but we had thunder last night! I guess they were just welcoming him… He will be missed especially by the people who cared for him daily. My thoughts and prayers are with them today…
John always did it his way!
I saw John Henry in May 2000 and it was such a thrill to be able to see him in person - I still remember him blazing down the stretch in so many races. He was a treasure that will be missed for a long time to come. I always loved to watch him race…
RIP sweet boy…
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;2728738]
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 :([/QUOTE]
Beautifully put, Glimmerglass. Never stop running, John Henry.
I just re-watched the 1982 Santa Anita Handicap on You-Tube.
I was at Santa Anita that day and it’s a day I’ll never forget.
When I hear the call “And here coooomes Johhhhhhhn Henry!” I get the chills. (OK tears in my eyes too…) It was so great and that part of the race gets me every time.
What a grand old horse he was. He will truly be missed.
RIP, big guy.
