I've seen John Henry so many times--I am a Kentucky Horse Park regular. I have read so many stories about his acomplishments today--he passed away just this evening (October 8th 2007 at age 32). But John Henry's legend will live on and we loved him dearly. What a hero--and the "old man" really gave his all even in his last race at age 9. They just don't make them like that any more. Rest in peace, John Henry!
He was 9 y/o at the end of his career and he was still a dynamo! Saw him 3x at Arlington, He won 2 Millions and was surprised by an upstart as a 7 y/o. What a brilliant campaigner
9 1/2 years old. Ties the track record here in his final race. Horse of the Year as a 9 year old. As others have said, John Henry was a true Iron Horse. My favorite horse of all time.
The Living Legend: his races still bring out the emotions! "The Old Man" - what a champ! I get tears every time I watch him...what a closer. Goose bump moments for sure!! Love you John~John XOXO Judy Burbank, CA
I was at the Meadowlands that night, and to this day I'm thankful that I was at John Henry's last race. He didn't look like he would get there with about a half mile to go, but his incredible will to win was still there. What a horse!
Almost an identical ride by McCarron as the Turf Classic 3 weeks earlier. JH comes home in a :24 1/5 final 1/4 and a sparkling :11 3/5 final 1/8. Sam Rubin, JH's owner, got a nice $500,000 bonus for winning this race and the Turf Classic, also in that was an additional $120,000 in purse money for the winner The Meadowlands threw in to get JH to run. At the age of 9 John Henry was really on top of his game in these 2 races. Rubin felt obligated to pay the $400,000 supplemental fee to get JH in the inaugural Breeder's Cup Turf, but he got a filling in his left fore ankle 10 days before the BC and would never race again.
I remember my father taking me to the track and told me we were going to see a special horse on that Saturday night. I was so moved by the roar of the crowd as John Henry went wide and took command of the race in the stretch run. Chris McCarron did a great job riding John Henry to the win.
I remember being at Hollywood Park and there was a horse called the wonder coming from Europe,all the talk was The wonder well It was John Henry vs The Wonder I think the Shoe rode the Wonder it was all John Henry at the wire!
If they ran against him before they probably did. Horses are acutely aware of their surroundings. They have a pecking order and when a dominant one rolls up they know it. It is ingrained into the horse. He was just incredible,not flashy, didn't always win,but he gave his all every single time,I respect that.
This is what set American Pharoah apart from his competition at that time. People say he didn't beat the best, they're probably right, but horses were intimidated to run with Pharoah. Even the older horses in the 2015 BCC allowed him to gallop them down and have everything his way.
John Henry made that look easy. He was never even asked for an all out drive. The jock let him run the way the horse wanted to run. Level of competition or equaling the track record is irrelevant. This horse knew what he had to do to win. If he could talk he would probably tell the jock, look dude I know what I'm doing so just enjoy the ride.
This is one of my all time favorite races. His last race. To win it closing in on the other horses. Truly one of a kind champion. I miss him very much. Rest in Peace John~John. XO
I just found the old program from this night. There is a pullout section with John Henry's complete past performances and his photo winning another race.
You're right. Not only was he pre-entered in the BC Turf, that cost Sam Rubin $130,000+ to do just that. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 to get him into that race. They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
Not only was John Henry going to run in the Breeders' Cup Turf, that cost Sam Rubin (owner of John Henry) $130,000 just to enter him in that race. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 for him to actually start. They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
You're right. Not only was John Henry pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf, that cost Sam Rubin (owner of John Henry) $130,000 to do just that. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 to get him into that race. They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
This was no easy field. In the first half of the 1980's, Hero's Honor and Four Bases were top turf handicappers in the NY circuit. Win is still one of the better NY-breds to have raced. I remember nosing out Hero's Honor and Four Bases with a winning exacta and trifecta on an 11 furlong specialist named He's Vivacious, in the 1984 Knickerbocker Handicap.
...Then John Henry 8th...John Henry looks for racing room...The Old Man John Henry is 5th at this point...John Henry out on the far outside and he's flying and down the stretch they come: The Old Man John Henry takes command by a length...here they come to the finish and here's John Henry in front.
I was there as well and bet Win thinking the six-pound weight shift from the Turf Classic would get the job done for Win. Showed me how overrated weight really is in this sport with limited exceptions.
John Henry won the race by several lengths. Nine years old!!! Yes!
I was there at The BigM and was happy to see this race, nothing like the Pegasus at the Meadowlands!
I've seen John Henry so many times--I am a Kentucky Horse Park regular. I have read so many stories about his acomplishments today--he passed away just this evening (October 8th 2007 at age 32). But John Henry's legend will live on and we loved him dearly. What a hero--and the "old man" really gave his all even in his last race at age 9. They just don't make them like that any more. Rest in peace, John Henry!
He was 9 y/o at the end of his career and he was still a dynamo! Saw him 3x at Arlington, He won 2 Millions and was surprised by an upstart as a 7 y/o. What a brilliant campaigner
9 1/2 years old. Ties the track record here in his final race. Horse of the Year as a 9 year old. As others have said, John Henry was a true Iron Horse. My favorite horse of all time.
The Living Legend: his races still bring out the emotions! "The Old Man" - what a champ! I get tears every time I watch him...what a closer. Goose bump moments for sure!! Love you John~John XOXO Judy Burbank, CA
Saw this race live stunning performance .
I was at the Meadowlands that night, and to this day I'm thankful that I was at John Henry's last race. He didn't look like he would get there with about a half mile to go, but his incredible will to win was still there. What a horse!
If I had to bet a million dollars on a horse it would be Secretariat If I had to bet my life on a horse it would be The Old Man!!! JOHN HENRY
Almost an identical ride by McCarron as the Turf Classic 3 weeks earlier. JH comes home in a :24 1/5 final 1/4 and a sparkling :11 3/5 final 1/8. Sam Rubin, JH's owner, got a nice $500,000 bonus for winning this race and the Turf Classic, also in that was an additional $120,000 in purse money for the winner The Meadowlands threw in to get JH to run. At the age of 9 John Henry was really on top of his game in these 2 races. Rubin felt obligated to pay the $400,000 supplemental fee to get JH in the inaugural Breeder's Cup Turf, but he got a filling in his left fore ankle 10 days before the BC and would never race again.
I love to watch this race !
A very great and powerful horse.
Thank you very much for posting this race for us.
May he RIP.
RIP Old Man, I hope the donuts are waiting for you in that big ole pasture above. Thanks for giving it your all!
I remember my father taking me to the track and told me we were going to see a special horse on that Saturday night. I was so moved by the roar of the crowd as John Henry went wide and took command of the race in the stretch run. Chris McCarron did a great job riding John Henry to the win.
I remember being at Hollywood Park and there was a horse called the wonder coming from Europe,all the talk was The wonder well It was John Henry vs The Wonder I think the Shoe rode the Wonder it was all John Henry at the wire!
If they ran against him before they probably did. Horses are acutely aware of their surroundings. They have a pecking order and when a dominant one rolls up they know it. It is ingrained into the horse. He was just incredible,not flashy, didn't always win,but he gave his all every single time,I respect that.
This is what set American Pharoah apart from his competition at that time. People say he didn't beat the best, they're probably right, but horses were intimidated to run with Pharoah. Even the older horses in the 2015 BCC allowed him to gallop them down and have everything his way.
RIP John Henry! I was only five when this was run but I remember you! Sad I never made it to meet you in person, or even just see you.
RIP!
Track announcer: Dave Johnson
Here's John Henry in front!!! The Legend!!!!!!
John Henry made that look easy. He was never even asked for an all out drive. The jock let him run the way the horse wanted to run. Level of competition or equaling the track record is irrelevant. This horse knew what he had to do to win. If he could talk he would probably tell the jock, look dude I know what I'm doing so just enjoy the ride.
This is one of my all time favorite races. His last race. To win it closing in on the other horses. Truly one of a kind champion. I miss him very much. Rest in Peace John~John. XO
I was there. Still have the program
I just found the old program from this night. There is a pullout section with John Henry's complete past performances and his photo winning another race.
I love the old programs, and forms, bigger, more content..
RIP, you will never be forgotten. You tell them to make room for "THE OLD MAN"
GOAT
You're right. Not only was he pre-entered in the BC Turf, that cost Sam Rubin $130,000+ to do just that. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 to get him into that race.
They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
Not only was John Henry going to run in the Breeders' Cup Turf, that cost Sam Rubin (owner of John Henry) $130,000 just to enter him in that race. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 for him to actually start.
They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
on the same day of the 1st ever breeders cup he got his biggest win of the year he won horse of the year
What a horse!! My big bay gelding was named John Henry the day he was born because he was such a big boy.
@BettorOffSinglE Nobody knew it was JH's last race at the time, in fact he was entered in the first Breeder's Cup that year before getting injured.
they don't make them like that anymore.
You're right. Not only was John Henry pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf, that cost Sam Rubin (owner of John Henry) $130,000 to do just that. Had he not been injured, they would have put up the full $400,000 to get him into that race.
They actually planned to race John Henry as a 10-year old in 1985, but he was injured again and had to be retired.
The amazing John Henry!
Great field.
Those horses could not have known who was blowing by them, or did they? I bet they did. Dave Johnson reminded them if they didn't.
This was no easy field. In the first half of the 1980's, Hero's Honor and Four Bases were top turf handicappers in the NY circuit. Win is still one of the better NY-breds to have raced. I remember nosing out Hero's Honor and Four Bases with a winning exacta and trifecta on an 11 furlong specialist named He's Vivacious, in the 1984 Knickerbocker Handicap.
...Then John Henry 8th...John Henry looks for racing room...The Old Man John Henry is 5th at this point...John Henry out on the far outside and he's flying and down the stretch they come: The Old Man John Henry takes command by a length...here they come to the finish and here's John Henry in front.
Dave Johnson
Absolutely!
I had him at 9-1 at Bay Meadows, one time!
I was there as well and bet Win thinking the six-pound weight shift from the Turf Classic would get the job done for Win. Showed me how overrated weight really is in this sport with limited exceptions.
No, Hero's Honor