John Henry

I watched John Henry run at Santa Anita in 1981 and 1982. He was a small gelding with a lot of heart and stamina. He was a great champion and had a long life at a great park who gave him wonderful care. I miss his spirit at the track but I have many great memories of him barreling down the stretch.

We will never foget you. You still are a champion in all of our hearts. Your heart was always bigger than the world you lived in. I always enjoyed watching you run and dig all the way to the finish line. You will be missed, but not forgotten.

I was saddend to here about the passing of John Henry. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Kentucky Horse Park. I still can't believe he's gone. I know I'll never forget him, I loved him the first time I saw him in person.

I remember you John Henry before you were famous When no one wanted you and didn't realize just how great you were You will always inspire me to do better that truly anything is possible You proved that

You will be missed. Gone forever, remembered always.

On my way to visit John in September 2007, I had the old folk song "John Henry" running through my head. I was driving up from Knoxville, Tennessee to get to Lexington by opening time at KHP. I sing in a chorus, and the previous night in our song circle, I told them that next day, I'd be seeing the *real* John Henry. So they all joined me in singing a rousing version of "John Henry" (the steel drivin' man). On the road to Kentucky, I thought it would be nice to have some words about my hero, the equine John Henry. I came up with the first two verses while driving, the rest after John died.
For John Henry. A Steel Drivin' Horse. 3/9/75 - 10/8/07

When John Henry was a young racehorse
Before he found his fame
He kicked his steel bucket clean out of his stall
and that's how John Henry got his name, Lord, Lord!
That's how John Henry got his name!

When John Henry won the Arlington Million
He was runnin' on down the stretch-
He looked that other little ol' horse in the eye,
and told him "I'm just gettin' started, better quit, Lord, Lord!
I'm just gettin' started, better quit!"

John Henry looked at Charlie Whittingham,
Thinking "A horse may be nothing but a horse,
But before I'll let one of your fine boys try and beat me
I'll run 'em all ragged 'round the course, Lord, Lord!
I'll run 'em all ragged 'round the course!"

When John Henry became an old man
He was beloved and esteemed
He came from farther back than many other fine horses
And the fire in his eye always gleamed, Lord, Lord!
The fire in his eye always gleamed!

The sound of thunder came rolling
We looked up with eyes open wide,
Is that a hurricane passing over us?
No, that's just John Henry hitting his stride, Lord, Lord!
That's just John Henry hitting his stride!

John Henry,
It doesn't seem possible that the world lost a Legend one year ago today.

You will always be my FAVORITE horse.

Months come and go. Days comes and go. Hours comes and go. But your legacy will be for Eternity.

I'm sorry I couldn't make the unveiling of your statue at the horse park.

Santa Anita race track will have a life-size statue in bronze. Your statue will have a "famous" shadow roll, as you are walking through the paddock towards the track to take on horses who want to challenge you!

We know who wins!!

I know you are happy and content running through your Celestial paddock with a beautiful Rainbow overhead... see you again, Champ!

John:
It's been 1 year since your funeral at KHP. It was an honor to attend your goodbye ceremony and hear dignitaries that included the Kentucky governor and even Chris McCarron speak of your remarkable life. It was also an honor to meet the people who cared for you and loved you all those years. Your presence on earth served as a special inspiration and symbol to the common man of determination, heart and strength of will. These are the lessons that we carry and hopefully pass on to others. For this reason, you were so much more than a great racehorse. God speed John Henry. You'll remain in our hearts forever.

DEAR JOHN HENRY,
I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO MEET YOU. I LIVED IN S.D. NOW I LIVE IN TN. I READ EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT YOU. WHAT A WONDERFUL CREATURE. YOU ARE THE DALE EARNHEARDT OF HORSE RACING. I HOPE SOMEDAY I WILL GET TO FINALLY MEET YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE. GOD BLESS! !
LOVE ALWAYS

Big John: We came from Florida last summer just to visit you.What a great day! You were just as cantankerous as ever, but that's why you were so loved. Now its time for you to enjoy the green grasses of never-ending open fields, and running with the wind beside your friends who went before you. Rest in peace, old friend.