RIP John
 

Nothing much else to say. He and Slew were the first two I loved in this game

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...s170803D98.DTL

RIP

Did this just happen? I saw it on another site just now.....Big fella lived a long prosperous life......He was one of the few that could be considered game changers....RIP

He was great on and off the track. Truly a gift from God to our sport. RIP great one.

he was put down at sunset:( RIP john john

For once, the "he had done enough" line is no joke.
He is simply one of the all-time greats.

The original "gutsy gelding".....he proved, you get better with age!

R.I.P. "J.H."

What an amazing horse he was, saw the video of one of his Million wins just a few weeks ago.

RIP. :(

And well done to everyone who had anything to do with him after he retired, looks like he was really well looked after and had a happy life. Great stuff.

he was spoiled and pampered to the end-he left us very happy

Godspeed John...

I was lucky enough to grow up in an area where horseracing was popular and during a time when I was able to see and appreciate horses like Seattle Slew, Affirmed, The Bid and John Henry. I wrongly assumed that horses like this would come along quite often. Though I understood that these horses were great at the time, it's not until times like this when you really gain a new perspective and then feel sad not just that old John has passed but that another one like him isn't coming.

The words "great' and "legend" can be tossed around at times but he defined these words.

His graced this earth and left us each with special memories... we will never forget.

Goodnight, John Henry. You leave us with holes in our hearts but with weak smiles as well as your personality was so strong...

We loved you, the world loved you, there will never be another like you.

Run in peace.

He was all Race Horse..

Thanks John!

I had a feeling this was coming. I know he's had health concerns he's been living with but it felt like at 32 the nine lives of John Henry had run out. I was hoping for another chance to come see him but at least I got to come visit 10+ years ago and see him, Forego, and Bold Forbes for which I consider my self lucky. RIP big guy. You get to go on all the walks you want now, wherever you want to take them, and nobody can say different.

i now have no reason to celebrate my birthday..rip

So sad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr_GBa8qk

RIP John :( We went to see him two weeks ago because I had a feeling this was coming. I teared up pretty good after hearing about his trips around the Horse Park, getting in line for the breed parade because he liked the applause... one of the smartest horses that ever lived. A true legend and the first great horse I ever saw in my lifetime.

My first couple of experiences (that stand out) were the first few Millions at Arlington and after seeing the Bid/John Henry and watching Secretariat, Seattle Slew, etc on TV, then seeing the likes of Cigar and Unbridled run at the 'new' Arlington it doesn't compare and I realize we were spoiled during that era. But then again my Grandpa would talk about War Admiral, Whirlaway and Citation. Aren't we due?????? Hope so.

Very, very sad day for racing. RIP John Henry...

i've started several times to type something, but nothing seems to come up to the task of describing the greatness of this horse, or the lasting legacy he gave us. altho there will be no colts or fillies to carry on in his name, he will never be forgotten. you don't always leave your mark in the shed, there are plenty around to give us the future of racing. but who can live up to the past? he was one of the really good ones, reminding us of what great really was, in a time when that moniker seems tossed around so easily. he will be greatly missed, but he will not be forgotten. i always enjoyed the character known as john, but he was only made known to us because of the racehorse known as john henry, a champion. may he rest in peace.

Someone on another forum said that they lowered the flags to half staff at Santa Anita today.

RIP old man. You had one heck of a run.

RIP John. Thanks for everything you have given us race fans. You will never be forgotten.

Rip :(

RIP fighter, you were a champ.

R.I.P. Big Guy. Although I was still an itch in my dad's pants and wasnt able to witness you when you did your thing, your legacy will live on forever. The stories of your moxy will be second to none.

we got to meet john henry 2 yrs ago at the horse park. the park wasn't real busy and he was last that day in the walk of champions show. we got to hang-out, pet, walk and take pictures with john until he'd had enough. instantly became mrs d favorite horse. he was a VERY neat old guy! take all walks you want, wherever you want. you really have done enough!

A True Legend Passes
 

Didn't see the other thread

RIP Big Fella

John was a 3 yo and just coming into his own when I first saw him at Belmont in '78. Saw him on quite a few occassions including his great JCGC and Turf Classic wins. I became interested in racing that summer of '78. The one link for me to horse racing over the last 29 years has been John Henry. There really is an empty feeling today. I did make it to the KHP in '02 and had my picture taken with him.

RIP you nasty little cur. We will all miss you.

Very sad. RIP...

RIP John Henry.

I actually had tears while I was reading the article this morning. He was the first ever and probably the best ever "gusty gelding". May he kick all their butts up in heaven...

A superb horse and possibly the most well known American horse as far as European racegoers are concerned because before the creation of the Arlington Million-i don't believe any American racing was ever shown here-and all the Millons he competed in were shown live on network TV here.

I'm glad I got to see him one last time just before the Breeders' Cup

Good night to a truly great horse. RIP

I've met a President (Reagan), I've met a Senator (Dole), I've met a Governor (Ehrlich), and I've met a Champion (Earnhardt). None compare with the feeling I got when I met John Henry a year ago at the KHP. There was truly something majestic about seeing him and being in his presence that I didn't feel when I met those other guys.......

They should be at half staff at every track in America. The sport has changed so much in just 20 years that we will never see anything like him again. That first Arlington Million race is one of my most vivid memories of the sport. His desire and intelligence and personality combined made him larger than life. Because of that, I thought he'd never die. But in all reality, he never will die. Legends are strange like that!!

The incomparable Steve Haskin's coda on the old man...
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=41236

I only......
 

Have seen footage of John Henry, I was young when he was in his prime. What I have seen, and from all that I have read and heard he was incredible! A legend in the history of racing, and for that matter in the history of sports. He will be missed. :(
RIP

Link to equidaily.com's coverage. Watch the first edition of the Arlington Millions (and a dozen more of the old man's races). Unbelievable!

http://www.equidaily.com/

Haskins wrote "Against All Odds" should be on John's statue. He had no Northern Dancer, Raise A native, Native Dancer or Bold Ruler. He had no Nearco or Nasrullah either. An inspiration for all fans of the game from bettors to breeders.

And I notice he won the JCGC when it was 12F.