John Henry celebrates 30 years

John Henry and groom Tammy Siters (Photo courtesy of Pam Shaughnessy)

Champion and $6.5 million earner JOHN HENRY was the guest of honor on
Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of his 1975 foaling date, at his Kentucky Horse
Park residence in the Hall of Champions. The birthday party included speeches
from former jockey Chris McCarron, Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John
Nicholson and longtime groom Tammy Siters on the Hall of Famer’s amazing legacy.

John Henry is an American success story. The Kentucky-bred didn’t own regal
bloodlines or natural athletic talent, racing in many claiming races early in
his career. Yet somehow, through tenacious determination and resolve, he managed
to become a champion.

McCarron, who rode the bay gelding in his last 14 starts, labeled him a
modern-day Seabiscuit, calling John Henry “the most intelligent horse I’ve ever
been around in my life.”

Named Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984, John Henry will always be
remembered for his incredible racing exploits. He won the Arlington Million
(G1), Santa Anita H. (G1) and San Luis Rey H. (G1) all twice and captured three
runnings of both the Oak Tree Invitational (G1) and Hollywood Invitational (G1).
Trained by Ron McAnally in the latter half of his career, the versatile runner
(he’d win wire-to-wire or from the clouds) also owns victories in the Jockey
Club Gold Cup (G1), Turf Classic (G1) and Sunset H. (G1) over eight seasons of
racing. His official line reads 83-39-15-9, $6,597,947.