Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Scott — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:38:25 GMT

What a marvellous article; it shook me up to realise how many years have passed since I avidly watched every race of Forego and John Henry. Thank God today we have Zenyatta who continues so brilliantly to keep the flag flying for the older horse in training.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Darlene R. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:26:12 GMT

I enjoyed reading the column on the most memorable races of John Henry. However, the most memorable race of John Henry's career for me was when he broke his maiden at Jefferson Downs race track. I was the placing judge that called John Henry the winner in the photo finish that night. Bernie Flint owned and trained the second place finisher in that race. To this day Bernie still chides me about that call!

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

coach'swife01 — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:59:31 GMT

I think this article is great. My oldest son which is named John Henry is always saying he wants to famous and he will eat this up. Also, my husband is named John White and the author is Jon White. Pretty neat !!

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Chris — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:16:15 GMT

John Henry was the monster on the track when I first started working in the industry as a groom. His iron horse magnetism...he grit.. his heart and his soul were all on display each and every race. In the 26 years since starting in the business Ive come to realize that there are 3 types of horses. Those that will strive to win because they understand what it is to win. They are all heart and soul regardless of conformation, breeding or price tag. Those that will try if conditions are right and they are sound. And those who just run. John Henry was of the first type. Back in 1989 I got to go to the Kentucky Horse Park to meet him while retired. I was in Lexington for the Red Mile meet. At the time both John and Ramblin Willie were in the retirement barn. Both gelded iron warrior horses. It was a privledge to meet them both.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Love 'em all! — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:22:11 GMT

Have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comments, but especially the ones by the lucky folks who actually knew JH through the years.

Fred, your post on 8/22 at 1:08pm takes the prize. Thanks so much for sharing, and I do hope you continue to make those trips to MI to visit your dear mother. JH would be so proud.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Caren — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:42:53 GMT

I never got to see John in person but I have all of his great races on video. I've watched them all at least 50 times. My favorite is the Ballentine Scotch Classic; 'And Here Comes The Old Man-John Henry'

never looses it's thrill. What makes him my all-time favorite is the stories of his personality. His holding up many post parades to watch the crowds taking pictures of him. He knew they wouldn't start without him.

His antics of trying to step on his groom's feet while being led back to his barn. And my most favorite is the one where he'd come in second after winning something like 5 or 6 in a row and went to the winner's circle anyway.

It took his owners, jockey, and trainer to push him out so the winner could collect his trophy. I want to say is was The Bart but not sure. Anyone who knows anything

about horse racing knows who John Henry was. He's one that will be remembered as long as the sport is around.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

The Track Philosopher — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:50:39 GMT

You can view John Henry's complete PP's.... it's amazing!

www.thetrackphilosopher.com/.../johnhenry_lifetimepps1.pdf

He was amazing!

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Fred — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:08:40 GMT

There is no Thoroughbred racing in Quebec. So when I told some friends that I drove down to Kentucky for a horse's memorial service, they were shocked and asked me how things were going.

I told them that I made the drive to Kentucky twice a year for the past five years to see this horse while he was alive. I felt compelled to say that these visits were added onto the visits I made to my remarkably hale ninety-four year-old mother who lives near Michigan.

But this rationalization never did work with my mother who justly suspected that the timing of my visits to her were largely determined by what's going on with John Henry.

On my visit with her while on route to John's memorial, she asked, "Now that that horse is dead, am I going to see you again?"

I'm not sure mom.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

aleesa4 — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:55:24 GMT

John Henry won the Turf Classic at Belmont Park in 1984 in 2:25:1 on the lead carrying 126 lbs.

Secretariat won the Man-o-War on the lead eleven years earlier on the same turf course in 2:24:4 carrying 121 lbs.

The great champions are the ones that win at the highest level at a 1 1/4 and beyond.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Bev — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:18:05 GMT

I saw John Henry at the KY Horse Park and cried. Standing amidst all the memories of the great ones, that plucky little gelding still stood out. He was and is-unforgetable.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Sandra — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:32:43 GMT

My father was a racing official and so I've seen many horses races in many states, but nothing ever held the awe and excitement of a John Henry horse race. I was lucky enough to visit John in the summer of 2004 at the KHP where I was pleased to see that he was being well cared for. As he paraded next to us, I called to him and his head turned to look at me. I felt honored. It was pure joy to see the same spirited glint in his eye. Age did not rob him of his pride, nor his stature. Love you John! RIP great one.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Connie — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:37:04 GMT

The years may go by but I never forget my loves. Ruffian, John Henry, Buckpasser, Desert Vixen, Cigar, Spectacular Bid, Foolish Pleasure, Dr. Fager Seattle Slew, Forego and a host of others all hang above my head as I write this. In Reality, my first love, was the one who introduced me to the wonders of horseracing and oh so many love affairs. And, even at this late stage of my life I’m in love – Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra not only bring me back to a better time and place but keep me looking forward to their next races. I’ve always loved beauty and nothing stirs me more than watching these two magnificent ladies run. Pure joy is hard to find but all my past and current loves have given me no less.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Tales Untold — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:51:27 GMT

As a non-horse racing person,it was impossible to miss John Henry's achievements & performance, his efforts were blasted throughout the land.

A rather handsome horse too...

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

MTBFan(still) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:08:32 GMT

If my brother's wedding had been about two years and a month or two earlier, I could have seen John Henry before he died. I was in Kentucky last year b/c my brother's wedding was in Ohio, and got to pay tribute to him at his grave and talked to one of his handlers (apparently he was the cantankerous, lovable gelding all the stories tell of him to be). My brother always joked that I was more excited about KY than going to his wedding. Well...I think John Henry's appeal to me was because he wasn't flashy, didn't set smashing records or have wonderful, storybook-type stories. He was just a great horse that kept plugging along, a lot like we're trying to do today.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Linda M — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:33:20 GMT

what a champion. I had seen him race, but what a thrill, at the age of 9, to see him in the Jockey Cup Gold Cup at Belmont, also in that race the fabulous mare All Along. I was at the fence in the paddock waiting for him to come out. And finally, there was this little guy bringing up the rear. I was astonished at how small he was, and had a heart the size of Texas. As he approached me, I applauded and said "here comes the champ." He stopped right in front of me, and it took probably a full 5 minutes for his groom to get him moving. And of course he won. It was like a 63 year old man winning the NY Marathon.

My greatest thrill was seeing him at the Horse Park. OMG. It was love at first sight, he wouldn't let me leave his stall, kept grabbing my shirt, and probably am one of the privileged few to have a photo taken WITH HIM, when they took JohnJohn out of his stall for the guests to see him. The entire time, he had his head on my shoulder. And this from a horse with a nasty and mean personality. Haha, not with me. What a love, I have the pix on my wall of the 2 of us together.

JohnJohn, you will never be forgotten by me.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

MonmouthMutt — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:02:34 GMT

Here's a race that John Henry actually lost -- the '78 Lamplighter at Monmouth Park:

www.youtube.com/watch

Note that the great sire Horatius finished second in this race.

And, here's the final race of his career, the '84 Ballantine's Scotch Classic at the Meadowlands. The stretch run is classic:

www.youtube.com/watch

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Freetex — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:49:29 GMT

A wonderful tribute to John Henry, Mr. White.

I truly felt I was looking at GREATNESS when I saw him at the KHP, even when he was very ill one winter. I will see his grave soon and visit my old friend Cigar too.

Another great gelding resides at the KHP; don't forget the Funny Cide.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

KURT — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:40:28 GMT

1ST time i ever went to the horse races was march 7,1981. i was 12 years old and i went to watch FLYING PASTER win the big cap...didnt turn out that way. paster bowed a tendon, finished 4th. john henry beat king go go for his 1st big cap. i saw john so many times after that i cant count em all.i did get to see him at the KHP in his later years but havent been to his grave yet. hopeing to make the breeders cup this year and maybe see johns grave while im there. THANKS JH for hooking this 12 yr old(now 42) on the ponies

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Wayne L — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:25:26 GMT

I sure was glad that someone cared enough to remember John Henry ! I had the chance to see him race and also had the chance to buy him at One time for 40,000 ! I met his owner and he had kicked him that morning going to Hot Springs and he stopped in Fort Smith,Arkansas I had ask him if he would sell him and he said after he ran him that sat ! I didnt get to make it to the track that weekend and I actually had intended on buying him so he was one of a kind and will always be remembered for his stamia and being such a great horse that he was! I always kept up with him no matter where he was and thanks to all who had a part in his life and being so kind in all his shortcomings ! Hers to John Henry may his legancy live forever! Wayne L

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Linda K — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:56:27 GMT

I remember John from Arlington Park. He created so much excitement. Everyone just loved him and especially me. I have several newspaper articles on him

and they are my great treasures.

He was so special none could compare. I love horse racing and

John has the first stall in horse

heaven. PS my sons name is John.

RIP my friend.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

timmyparkerson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:38:23 GMT

simply one of the best we will ever see. such a grand old race horse rip

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Jane — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:37:34 GMT

I was so delighted that I had a chance to meet John Henry at the Kentucky Horse Park. He was a genuine work horse and celebrity. By our second trip to KHP both John and Alysheba had passed. Am so glad that they are permanently across from each other. Two great horses who gave so much to the sport and their fans. Thank you.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Ida Lee — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:21:12 GMT

I never saw John Henry but everything I've read about him confirms that this was one special animal. One of the funniest stories I read about him was that as he got older, he got really cranky to the point that he bit or tried to bite the hand that fed him for 22 years. I'm still hysterical over that one. The last few photos I saw of him, he was I believe 32 years old and died shortly after the photos were taken. He looked so feable, it was so sad to see such a champion looking so old. So I really loved the photos above showing him as a young boy racing his heart out. What a Champion he was!!!! Thanks for the memories.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

joe c. — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:34:11 GMT

I saw John Henry three times at the KY Horse Park. The last time, the day after the 06 Breeders' Cup, was a beautiful autumn morning-gold leaves against a blue sky, the air crisp. That morning John would not take a starlight peppermint offered by his handler-even left on a fence post. It was really funny.

re: Remembering John Henry - By Jon White

Cindy Rullman — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:06:45 GMT

All of us who work at the Kentucky Horse Park still miss John very deeply, but it is touching and comforting to see the number of people each week since his death, who stop at his grave to pay their respects.