As the racing writer for the Lexington Herald- Leader, I have won three Eclipse Awards in thoroughbred racing, three Hervey Awards in harness racing, and I have had a lifetime of working with horses, on the track and in the show ring. But most of all, I simply enjoy horses. The opportunity to write about them has been a true gift.
Alicia Wincze is a general assignment sportswriter, covering everything from the Kentucky Derby to girls' soccer. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
John Henry, R.I.P.
Posted by Maryjean Wall on October 8, 2007
John Henry has died. All of us who admire horses have lost a dear friend.
John Nicholson, the executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, phoned me about 7:30 to tell me John Henry was gone. The Horse Park had called in a veterinarian and the old gelding, age 32, was euthanized about 7:05 p.m. No one will be surprised at this news, because John had been ailing since the hot weather in August. Nicholson said that the horse’s demeanor and sparkle had declined over the weekend.
So, we’re not surprised. But we’re all saddened. At least, I am. These past few days have been tough ones, with two horses having to be euthanized at Keeneland, and now, John Henry.
But what a joy it was to know him! How lucky we were to have him since the mid-1980s at the Kentucky Horse Park. I visited with him every time I went by the park, whether I was there to compete on my own horses or simply passing through the park. His stall will seem like a big empty space now.
Eve Orndoff said
Oh, no.
We’ve all lost a great one.
RIP John Henry
Don said
I, too, am very sad to have learned of the great JOHN HENRY’s death tonight. Yet, we knew it was a matter of time after what he went through these last few weeks. I regret not taking the trip down to Kentucky from Massachusetts to visit with John again, before he left us, and I am grieving very much. However, when I visited him this past April, I knew that John and I would not see one another again in this life, and he knew it too. When i said goodbye to John, he just turned around and starred long and hard at me. I will definitely miss visiting with him and spending time with him.
He was a great champion and one of the last great thoroughbreds, but we must remember that our beloved John Henry is running with all the other immortals now, free from age, sickness, pain, with health, strenght, and youth returned.
To all others who loved and respected this great and magnificent John Henry, I send my sincerest sympathies.
God bless you all, and thank God for the likes of John Henry.
Joseph Cowart said
I was going to bring some friends to Keeneland this month and seeing John Henry was on our agenda. Obviously, his accomplishments were well known. But some folks had mistaken his modest physical gifts and general grumpiness for lack of breeding. Far from it. His paternal great grand sires were Princequillo and Bull Lea.
A sweet pet? Oh, no! An athlete and a great champion? Absolutely. I’m sorry I’ll never meet him.
Nina said
The news of John Henry passing is so sad. I firsttime I saw him I was attending my first Rolex and since meeting this awesome horse I have continued to return to see him. His spark was something that only true champions are made of. He will be missed.
TJ said
I’ve been attending Keeneland’s Spring meet for the last 4 years, and one of my favorite stops was a visit to the KY Horse Park’s Hall of Champions to visit “Cigar” and “John”. I’ll never forget on one particular morning, I was running late and arrive shortly after the conclusion of that morning’s parade of champions. I was disappointed, but headed up to the barn to watch them in their stalls. As I entered the barn, who was walking out of his stall, but the old man himself, being lead by his handler. She lead him to a vet where he stood gingerly on his right rear leg. Apparently at the ripe old age of 29, John got into a stall kicking contest with his stablemate in retirement “Cigar” that morning. It was just John, his handler, vet, and myself. I hung back a respectful distance and just watched. It was so obvious how much the two of them loved John.
I wish to thank the Rubins family and everyone at the KY Horse Park for taking such great care of John, and allowing us fans such wonderful access to this great champion.
John Henry will be missed, but never forgotten.
Carol Faver said
What a character and a champion. Like most of us older folks, he was sometimes grumpy, often easy to give you a piece of his mind and generally just doing what he did to get by….but often that makes for the most interesting people and horses. May his memory be one of love and admiration – that’s something all of us could wish for. See you at the barn big fella…..
Diana Carreon said
Since I was 12, I have had John Henry to look forward to. Every October in Arcadia through the early 80’s. Every March in Lexington. Through every pivotol moment in my life John Henry was a warm presence. Had it not been for Ol’ John retiring to the Horse Park, I would have never visited, therefore would have never met his groom who told me about the Kentucky Equine Institute. I would have never moved from California to Lexington to attend the school and spend a glorious year on the same grounds as my beloved hero. My hero. I miss you so much already. Thank you for all you did and for who you were.
Steve said
I saw him when he was young and so was I. The first time I saw him run the person that I was with (that taught me to handicap/and get the bite) pointed out the small stature; many jokingly wondered if that could be a thoroughbred? Oh but yes – the best that can be – all the heart and yes he showed all of us little people what we can do if we have heart. It was so good to see you (John Henry) again in September. I got to bring my daughter by (again) and my granddaughters. Thank you John Henry for making all of our lives a little brighter.
Bobbie said
My father was a New Yorker who used to love to come visit me in the Bluegrass so that he could go to the KY Horse Park and see “his favorite horse of all time” John Henry. After my dad died, I still came out to see John Henry, and I was so happy when his exercise routine changed this summer and JH seemed so pleased. I planned to visit him on October 6th, but plans changed and I didn’t make it. How sad I was that I didn’t get to say good-bye, but how grateful I am to this giant who gave so much for so many years. Rest in peace, big guy.
Ellen said
God Bless you John Henry. You have left a legacy of greatness. We’ll never forget you. RIP.
teresa said
Dear John, I’ve been to your birthday parties for the last 3 years. I was able to pet you, and give you mints. You autographed my book in your own way, by”chewing on it”. You are great! Be happy where you are, and run fast like we know you can.
Love, Teresa
Nicole said
A true legend has left us. John Henry will be missed by a lot of people. I was not a huge fan of his but I admired him and his accomplishments. After all he is part of our racing history. There are racehorses who touch our lives at the time that they are racing but there are very few who continue to do that many years after they are retired. John Henry was one of the few. His fight that he had on the track was also there the last few months of his life. I am so happy that he was able to take his walks around the park and to also be a part of the Breeds Parade. Hopefully that made his time more enjoyable. Rest in Peace John Henry. You are now up there running beside Secretariat, Barbaro, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and the many other legends and not so-legendary racehorses that have gone before you.
Mark S. said
Sad to see John Henry go, but I am glad to have made it
down from Chicago this past weekend to see him Sunday morning. Kudos to the great group at the Kentucky Horse Park to give him such wonderful care ! He will be missed but left all some great memories >
Bettye Noble said
I got to feed John a chocolate cookie two weeks ago. I had the pleasure of seeing him often working at Fort Knox. When I first came to Kentucky I could not believe I was seeing the great John Henry I had read about in the Reader’s Digest, People etc. When one looked at John you could feel hand of God in his life. He did not look like Cigar or any of the tall “race horse” looking
Thoroughbreds, but in his eyes you could see the big heart he possessed. John was one of a kind and I feel will never be duplicated. It will be hard to see his paddock and stall without the great legend. I thank all who took such good care of one of our nation’s treasures. I hope he is running with Lost In The Fog, Barbaro, St. Liam and all the others we have lost recently. Take your place with the greats because we know
God smiled when you hooked up in the stretch!
Donna Powell said
I never got a chance to see and know you in person, John, but I will miss you just the same. I became interested in thoroughbreds later on my life after reading and loving “Seabiscuit”. YOU WILL BE MISSED. You were a wonderful asset to the sport of thoroughbred racing and were definately “one of the greats”. RIP John Henry Hope you are running happily with Barbaro, Lost in the Fog, St. Liam, Star Over the Bay and all those beautiful animals we have lost over the years. WE LOVE YOU. Hope to attend the memorial for you at Santa Anita Saturday the 13th.
Joe said
The King of Kings has passed. Frankly, given the state of horse racing in the USA, with the drugs, the piddly weight assignments and continual shortening of distance of what constitutes a so-called “classic” race these days, there’s really nothing in domestic horse racing left to live for.
If there’s such thing as Horse Heaven, I’m sure that John Henry is the celebrant at quite a party. For the rest of us relegated to the fruitless search for his successor, I can only offer my regreta and my advice to look overseas.
Thank You, John Henry. There will truly never be another.
Nina Morzenti said
It is truely heartwarming to read the outpouring of affection, love, respect and grief in remembrance of John Henry. In the mid 1990s I took Rt 70 from Wyoming to Mass before staying with my Mother from 1998-2004. I always stopped at the Park to see John Henry and have pictures from 1994 of JH with Tory Aberley, now an attorney I’m told. Last month before heading back again I
checked the Park’s website, glad to see John Henry was in his stall in the Hall. On Sept 13 I stopped to see him. He had just come in from his morning stroll and was on his fluids IV. Trying to add levity but facing the gravity of his thinness I commented to his caretakers that he had now gained ‘IV League’ status. In my car I couldn’t help weeping for I knew I had snapped my last picture of John Henry. Thanks to all of those responsible for his long and healthy life. And to those who share their love for him, thanks for making this time of our individual reflection a little less lonely. Nina, in Alcova, Wyoming