Johren was no beauty contest winner, but he was a case of “handsome is as handsome does.” Too backward to race as a juvenile, he took his time finding himself at three but developed into the best staying 3-year-old of 1918 and, in the opinion of many experts, the best American racehorse of that year. Unlike his gelded contemporary Exterminator (whom he defeated handily in the Latonia Derby), he did not have the chance to continue developing as a racehorse; instead, he was retired to stud, where he had little success and left no lasting mark.
Race record
22 starts, 9 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$49,156
1918:
Honors
As an individual
A massive bay horse, Johren was described by the noted handicapper Walter Vosburgh as "a clumsy, loose-jointed, underdeveloped creature." His action was less than ideal, particularly at the slower paces, but a photograph suggests that he had a very good shoulder and plenty of scope.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Johren sired 38 winners (40.0%) and three stakes winners (3.2%), none of any great significance, from 95 named foals. Sires and Dams of Stakes Winners 1925-1985 (Blood-Horse) credits Johren with four stakes winners (4.2%) from 96 foals.
Connections
Foaled in England, Johren was imported to the United States as a yearling by his breeder and owner, Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Sr., and later by Albert Simons.
Pedigree notes
Johren is inbred 5x5 to Young Melbourne. He is a half brother to 1909 Matron Stakes winner Greenvale (by Hamburg), second dam of 1920 American champion 2-year-old male Tryster, and to minor stakes winner Floral Park (by Burgomaster), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Sweep Park (by Sweep). Johren is also a half brother to Gadiola (by Cylgad), dam of 1923 Pimlico Oaks winner Gadfly (by Chicle) and steeplechase stakes winner Madiola (by Mad Hatter).
Mineola, the dam of Johren, is out of the Riley mare Hurley Burley, making her a half sister to 1906 Belmont Stakes winner Burgomaster (by Broomstick or Hamburg), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old male of 1905 and the American co-champion 3-year-old male of 1906 with Accountant. Mineola is also a half sister to Boisterous (by Hamburg), dam of 1920 Agua Caliente Cup winner Sailor (by All Gold).
Books and media
Johren is profiled in Chapter 4 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Race record
22 starts, 9 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$49,156
1918:
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA, 11FD, Belmont)
- Won Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Latonia Derby (USA, 12FD, Latonia)
- Won Huron Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Saratoga Cup (USA, 14FD, Saratoga)
- Won Lawrence Realization (USA, 13FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Dwyer Stakes (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
Honors
- American Horse of the Year (1918)
- American champion 3-year-old male (1918)
As an individual
A massive bay horse, Johren was described by the noted handicapper Walter Vosburgh as "a clumsy, loose-jointed, underdeveloped creature." His action was less than ideal, particularly at the slower paces, but a photograph suggests that he had a very good shoulder and plenty of scope.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Johren sired 38 winners (40.0%) and three stakes winners (3.2%), none of any great significance, from 95 named foals. Sires and Dams of Stakes Winners 1925-1985 (Blood-Horse) credits Johren with four stakes winners (4.2%) from 96 foals.
Connections
Foaled in England, Johren was imported to the United States as a yearling by his breeder and owner, Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Sr., and later by Albert Simons.
Pedigree notes
Johren is inbred 5x5 to Young Melbourne. He is a half brother to 1909 Matron Stakes winner Greenvale (by Hamburg), second dam of 1920 American champion 2-year-old male Tryster, and to minor stakes winner Floral Park (by Burgomaster), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Sweep Park (by Sweep). Johren is also a half brother to Gadiola (by Cylgad), dam of 1923 Pimlico Oaks winner Gadfly (by Chicle) and steeplechase stakes winner Madiola (by Mad Hatter).
Mineola, the dam of Johren, is out of the Riley mare Hurley Burley, making her a half sister to 1906 Belmont Stakes winner Burgomaster (by Broomstick or Hamburg), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old male of 1905 and the American co-champion 3-year-old male of 1906 with Accountant. Mineola is also a half sister to Boisterous (by Hamburg), dam of 1920 Agua Caliente Cup winner Sailor (by All Gold).
Books and media
Johren is profiled in Chapter 4 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- Johren was named in honor of a homely Long Island bartender.
- Even after getting to the races at 3, Johren was a slow developer and did not break his maiden until his 11th start.
- Johren was the fourth foreign-bred horse to win the Belmont Stakes, following in the hoof prints of Saxon (1874), Bowling Brook (1898) and Hourless (1917).