John Henry 32 today

[tompkins]

In the great book The Golden Post Partick Robinson goes on for over 200 pages describing the best bred runners from around the world, BUT sets forth this wonderful epilogue:

"There is in fact another route which may take you to fame and fotune in the world of the thoroughbred racehorse. On the opposite page is a picture by Richard Stone Reeves of the grumpy little gelding John Henry, shortly before he set off to win the inagural Arlington Million. By the end of 1984, he had won for his owners, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rubin of New York, well over $6 million - which reflected very favorable on the $1,100 he had once cost as a yearling. Those wishing to take this less arduous and less expensive route to the pinnacle of horse racing success should avoid the major summer yearling sales. They should ignore also all of the previous 210 pages of this book.

[dugoutgold]

Saw this on tv today, if I recall he cam close but never won on grass? Wonder how old this is in human years?

[froggy]

DUGOUT,
John Henry very seldom lost on the grass.
One of the first races I ever bet on was in the slop or in the mud and if I remember correctly, I bet against him. I bet on a horse called Desert Wine.
All of my friends in the Race Book upon learning of my indiscretion informed me of his greatness as a champion and I should immediately go change my ticket. I had never heard of him.
Well I didn't and Desert Wine won.
That race was one of the few that he lost.
There was an interview had with his jockey somewhere near the end of his racing career in which the jockey said that he couldn't really rate him and that he knew exactly what he was supposed to do.
When they turned for home John Henry would decide on what was best to do and then do it. He would make a path for himself through traffic. If he needed a hole he would make one. He would lay his ears back and tell the other horses to get out of the way. It was always a beautiful site to behold.
I think all the jockey ever did was sit on him.

Oh memory lane.
Froggy

[JEFF KENT]

I,was at holly park back in the early 80,s on a honor John Henry day,if
I recall correctly,he was racing the next weekend,they had a special post
post parade for him the grandstand was packed and the whole plant stood in
awe as he paraded,I went down to the rail on the strech turn to get a
close look at this racing "IMMORTAL" and i said hey JOHN HENRY as he and
CHRIS MCCARRON walked by john stopped and looked at me for a good
ten seconds,he knew what was going on,any surface any, distance
any track,he wanted to beat you,at any cost!!!
Todays lesson when a horse "WANTS" to win today ,you will win at a high
win%

Jeff Kent