John Henry (USA)
March 9, 1975 – October 8, 2007
Ole Bob Bowers (USA) x Once Double (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 8-c
March 9, 1975 – October 8, 2007
Ole Bob Bowers (USA) x Once Double (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 8-c
A small, cantankerous, plain bay gelding, John Henry was a horse no one wanted as a youngster. He remained a difficult and at times nasty customer to the end of his days but as a racer became legendary for both his indomitable will to win and his longevity. The oldest horse ever to earn American Horse of the Year honors since polling began in 1936, he continued his status as a living legend until his death at the Kentucky Horse Park at the age of 32.
Race record
83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, 9 thirds, US$6,591,860
1977:
1978:
1979:
1980:
1981:
1982:
1983:
1984:
Honors
Assessments
John Henry was ranked #23 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1978, 19 pounds below highweighted Exceller and 15 pounds below the official divisional champion, Mac Diarmida (another 3-year-old).
Rated at 117 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1979, 13 pounds below champion Bowl Game.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1980, 2 pounds above second-rated Bold Tropic and Overskate.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1981, 2 pounds above second-rated Flying Paster.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1981, 2 pounds above second-rated Providential II.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1982, 1 pound below highweighted Perrault and 1 pound above the official divisional champion, Lemhi Gold.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1982, 1 pounds below champion Perrault.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1983, 1 pound above second-rated Erins Isle.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1984, 2 pounds above second-rated Interco.
As an individual
A bay standing 15.2½ hands, John Henry was back at the knees and toed out slightly on one foot but made up for these flaws with an exceptionally efficient, fluid stride. He was gelded because of his nasty disposition before he ever raced: as the veterinarian who performed the surgery said, “I never saw a horse that needed it more.” He got his name from his habit of stomping metal water and feed tubs flat, causing then-owner John Callaway to liken him to the “steel-drivin' man” of American folklore, the railroad worker John Henry. The horse eventually developed a trusting relationship with trainer Ron McAnally and would come to the fence to greet him and get treats when visited during his retirement. He remained tough throughout his retirement but developed a grudging respect for his regular caretakers.
Connections
John Henry was bred by Golden Chance Farm, Inc. He was sold for US$1,100 as a yearling and for US$2,200 as a 2-year-old in training. He raced from age 3 onwards in the colors of Dotsam Stable (Sam and Dorothy Rubin), which purchased the horse privately for US$25,000 from owner-trainer Harold Snowden Jr. without ever having laid eyes on him. Following his sale to the Rubins, John Henry was trained at 3 by Bobby Donato. At 4 and up, he was trained by Lefty Nickerson and Ron McAnally, who assumed duties on the East Coast and the West Coast, respectively. He was retired to the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1985. He returned to training briefly in 1986 but was retired permanently after tearing a suspensory ligament in his left foreleg. He remained an honored member of the Hall of Champions until kidney failure forced his humane destruction on October 8, 2007.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1968 Tanforan Handicap winner Ole Bob Bowers, John Henry is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to stakes winner Looigloo (by Mr. Washington). His dam Once Double is a half sister to C'Est Cela (by Sword Dancer), dam of Venezuelan Group 1 winner Torrejon (by Sadair). John Henry's third dam, Dusty Legs (by Mahmoud), is a half sister to 1935 Hopeful Stakes winner Red Rain (by Pennant).
Books and media
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo by Mike Sekulic; taken during a workout at Santa Anita. Used by permission.
Last updated: June 10, 2024
Race record
83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, 9 thirds, US$6,591,860
1977:
- Won Lafayette Futurity (USA, 6FD, Evangeline Downs)
1978:
- Won Round Table Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Arlington Park)
- Won Chocolatetown Handicap (USA, 8.5FT, Penn National)
- 2nd Lexington Handicap (USA-G2, 8.5FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Hill Prince Handicap (USA, 8FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Volante Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Lamplighter Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Monmouth)
1979:
- Won Henry P. Russell Handicap (2nd div) (USA, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Bay Meadows Handicap (USA, 9FT, Bay Meadows)
- 2nd Carleton F. Burke Handicap (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Sword Dancer Stakes (USA, 12FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Sunrise Handicap (USA, 8.5FT, Atlantic City)
1980:
- Won Hollywood Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, about 14FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita; equaled world record 2:23)
- Won Hialeah Turf Cup Stakes (USA-G2, 12FT, Hialeah)
- Won Brighton Beach Handicap (USA-G3, 10FT, Belmont)
- Won San Marcos Handicap (USA-G3, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Gabriel Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Bowling Green Handicap (USA-G2, 11FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Sword Dancer Stakes (USA, 12FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
1981:
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Hollywood Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won San Luis Obispo Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Sword Dancer Stakes (USA-G3, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won Arlington Million Invitational (USA, 10FT, Arlington Park; equaled course record 2:07-4/5)
1982:
- Won Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita; by disqualification of Perrault [GB])
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Meadowlands Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, The Meadowlands)
- 3rd San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
1983:
- Won Hollywood Invitational Turf Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 11FT, Hollywood)
- Won American Handicap (USA-G2, 11FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Budweiser Million (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
1984:
- Won Budweiser Million Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- Won Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won Hollywood Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won Sunset Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won Golden Gate Handicap (USA-G3, 11FT, Golden Gate; new course record 2:13)
- Won Ballantine's Scotch Classic Handicap (USA-L, 11FT, The Meadowlands; equaled course record 2:13)
- 2nd Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd San Luis Rey Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1990)
- Arcadia Historical Society's Racing Walk of Champions (inducted as part of the inaugural class in 2014)
- Monmouth Park Hall of Champions
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (1981, 1984)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older male (1981)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf male (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984)
Assessments
John Henry was ranked #23 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1978, 19 pounds below highweighted Exceller and 15 pounds below the official divisional champion, Mac Diarmida (another 3-year-old).
Rated at 117 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1979, 13 pounds below champion Bowl Game.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1980, 2 pounds above second-rated Bold Tropic and Overskate.
Highweighted at 129 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1981, 2 pounds above second-rated Flying Paster.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf horses of 1981, 2 pounds above second-rated Providential II.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1982, 1 pound below highweighted Perrault and 1 pound above the official divisional champion, Lemhi Gold.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1982, 1 pounds below champion Perrault.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1983, 1 pound above second-rated Erins Isle.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1984, 2 pounds above second-rated Interco.
As an individual
A bay standing 15.2½ hands, John Henry was back at the knees and toed out slightly on one foot but made up for these flaws with an exceptionally efficient, fluid stride. He was gelded because of his nasty disposition before he ever raced: as the veterinarian who performed the surgery said, “I never saw a horse that needed it more.” He got his name from his habit of stomping metal water and feed tubs flat, causing then-owner John Callaway to liken him to the “steel-drivin' man” of American folklore, the railroad worker John Henry. The horse eventually developed a trusting relationship with trainer Ron McAnally and would come to the fence to greet him and get treats when visited during his retirement. He remained tough throughout his retirement but developed a grudging respect for his regular caretakers.
Connections
John Henry was bred by Golden Chance Farm, Inc. He was sold for US$1,100 as a yearling and for US$2,200 as a 2-year-old in training. He raced from age 3 onwards in the colors of Dotsam Stable (Sam and Dorothy Rubin), which purchased the horse privately for US$25,000 from owner-trainer Harold Snowden Jr. without ever having laid eyes on him. Following his sale to the Rubins, John Henry was trained at 3 by Bobby Donato. At 4 and up, he was trained by Lefty Nickerson and Ron McAnally, who assumed duties on the East Coast and the West Coast, respectively. He was retired to the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1985. He returned to training briefly in 1986 but was retired permanently after tearing a suspensory ligament in his left foreleg. He remained an honored member of the Hall of Champions until kidney failure forced his humane destruction on October 8, 2007.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1968 Tanforan Handicap winner Ole Bob Bowers, John Henry is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to stakes winner Looigloo (by Mr. Washington). His dam Once Double is a half sister to C'Est Cela (by Sword Dancer), dam of Venezuelan Group 1 winner Torrejon (by Sadair). John Henry's third dam, Dusty Legs (by Mahmoud), is a half sister to 1935 Hopeful Stakes winner Red Rain (by Pennant).
Books and media
- Owner Sam Rubin co-authored John Henry with George Wirt. Their biography of the champion was published by Andrea/Brian Press in 1985.
- John Henry, the 10th book in the Thoroughbred Legends series, was released by Eclipse Press in 2001. It was written by Steve Haskin.
- John Henry is one of 50 Thoroughbreds profiled in Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Written by racing historian Jim Bolus with illustrations and commentary by noted equine artist Richard Stone Reeves, the book was released by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 1994.
- John Henry: The Steel Driving Racehorse was a documentary film released on DVD in May 2010. It ws produced by Open Sky Entertainment and directed by Cameron Duddy and Chris Koby.
- Video clips of John Henry in action can be accessed at Walter Lazary's Historical Horse Racing (https://www.historical-horse-racing-lazmannick.com/1a-americas-best-turf-horses-of-the-20th-century/).
Fun facts
- John Henry's victory in the inaugural Arlington Million was ranked #30 in Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006.
- John Henry's margin of victory over Slew o' Gold for 1984 Horse of the Year honors was just one vote.
- John Henry's barn name in Ron McAnally's barn was “Pappy.”
- John Henry was typically saddled for a race with his hindquarters to the opening of his paddock stall due to his dislike for seeing the people crowded around the paddock.
- After nearly five years of contending with John Henry on the California circuit, Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham was asked if he could beat John Henry. The reply? “Beat him? I've just trying to outlive him.”
- In addition to apples and carrots, John Henry enjoyed pizza and coffee with cream and sugar.
- The statue “Against All Odds,” sculpted by Edwin Bogucki, commemorates John Henry's seemingly impossible charge to victory over The Bart in the inaugural Arlington Million in 1981. Initially set up at Arlington Park, the statue was given to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame by Churchill Downs Incorporated in July 2023 following CDI's 2021 sale of Arlington Park to the National Football League's Chicago Bears.
- The John Henry Handicap was run as a Grade 2 turf race over 9 furlongs for ages 3 and up at Hollywood Park from 1986-1994. In 2013, Santa Anita renamed its Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship the “John Henry Turf Championship.” It is now a Grade 2 race over 10 furlongs on turf for ages 3 and up.
- Evangeline Downs, the site of John Henry's first stakes win, also hosts a race named in honor of the champion. As of 2020, the John Henry Stakes is open to horses aged 3 and up and is carded for 8.5 furlongs on turf.
- During the later years of John Henry's life, persistent rumors insisted that he had actually died and that the Kentucky Horse Park had replaced him with a lookalike because of his popularity. When asked about this, one of his long-suffering handlers replied, “If that had really happened, don't you think we'd have replaced him with something nicer?”
- John Henry came by his evil disposition honestly. His sire Ole Bob Bowers had enough talent to equal the world record for 9 furlongs on turf in the 1968 Tanforan Handicap but was known for being thoroughly vicious as well and attacked several people during the course of his stud career.
Photo credit
Photo by Mike Sekulic; taken during a workout at Santa Anita. Used by permission.
Last updated: June 10, 2024