JohnHenry2

Back in Ron McAnally's barn, John Henry started his 1981 year by winning four straight stakes, including the Santa Anita Derby(G1) on the dirt. Being pushed back in the Hollywood Gold Cup(G1) John Henry had a wide trip through out the race and finished a respectable fourth. But none the less this would be only one of two races that year that the brown gelding would finish off the board. Next, John Henry went back to Nickerson and won the Sword Dancer Handicap(G3) by more than three lengths, a race that he came second in a year before.

      After a short rest, John Henry was point to the inaugural running of the Arlington Million by trainer McAnally. The race was named after it's purse, one million dollars, and was not yet graded by the Grading Committe (upgraded to G1 status in 1982). John Henry (ridden by Bill Shoemaker for the second time) broke slow and couldn't grab the lead, his usual running style. Slowly he picked off each horse and gained on leader The Bart, getting a nose in front just at the wire, with third place finisher Madam Gay more than two lengths back. Even though John Henry had run his slowest race on his career (2:07 3/5 for 10f on the soft turf.), he had showen great courage, a charateristic that the racing world would widely respect him for.

      John Henry won two more races for Victor Nickerson, the Oak Tree Invita- tional(G1) and the mile and a half Jockey Club Gold Cup(G1), before he was a permanent fixture in McAnally's barn. And although John Henry would finish his year by finishing almost last in the Japan Cup (his first race outside of the USA), he would recieve three Eclipse awards, Champion Grass Horse, Handicap Horse and Horse of the Year. This would be perhaps John Henry's best year.

      In 1982, the seven year old warrior, would win two of six races, including the Oak Tree Handicap(G1), (which he won for the third time), and the Santa Anita Handicap(G1), in which he was placed second to first after Perrault (that year's grass champ) interfered with John Henry in the stretch. He would go without an Eclipse award. In 1983, he would recieve the Grass award for the third time after he won just two of five starts.

In his final year on the track, John Henry won six of his races, including his last four. It was the year that the racing series of the Breeders' Cup would start, and John Henry was supposed to end his career by running in the Turf. But when he injured his leg after winning the Ballantine Handicap (his last prep for the Turf), John Henry was prematurely retired.

The entire racing world was heart broken to see such an icon leave the

track. But the now nine year old gelding had done enough. No one expected anymore from him, ecspecially Rubin and McAnally. John Henry had given them so much; to them and the world. He may not have won every race he ran, or set world records, but he had raced so consistently in great company for so long, that he had earned his 'greatness' over the years, rather than it given it to him in one. John Henry would retire as racing most richest horse (a record to be broken a few years later by Alysheba), and earned a total of seven Eclipse Awards. He was sent to the Kentucky Horse Park where he now lives, and can be visited by his long time fans who saw him race years ago, and those who have only heard of him. He has finally received the long rest he deserves. Enjoy John Henry.

Won: Arlington Million(G1) 2x
          Turf Classic(G1)
          Sunset Handicap(G1)
          Hollywood Invitational (G1) 3x
          Hollywood Turf Cup(G1) 2x
         Oak Tree Invitational(G1)4x
          Jockey Club Gold Cup(G1)
          San Luis Rey Handicap(G1) 2x
          Santa Anita Handicap(G1)                      .
          San Juan Capistrano Handicap(G1)
          American Handicap(G2)
          San Luis Obispo Handicap(G2)
          Hialeah Turf Cup(G2)
          Golden Gate H(G3)
          Sword Dancer S (G3)
          Brighton Beach H(G3)
          San Marcos H (G3)
          San Gabriel H (G3)
          Round Table H (G3)
          Ballantine H
          HP Russell H
          Chocolatetown (?) H
          Lafayette Futurity