Point/Counterpoint - John Henry vs. Manila

Scott Dick:

John Henry is synonymous with horse racing. The average sports fan who doesn't know much about the sport, knows about John Henry.

The tough, hard-nosed gelding personified the American dream. He wasn't born into royalty; he didn't boast the pedigree of a champion. He was the working man's horse, a blue collar heavyweight that never backed down from a fight. He was the little guy, the underdog, the horse that came from a humble beginning, but eventually conquered the sport, and won the hearts of the American fans. He was our horse.

John Henry's versatility was simply amazing. His wins ranged from 4 to 14 furlongs. He could do anything. He dictated his own pace. He ran his own race. Often, the son of Ole Bob Bowers would show speed, other times he would come off the pace with an exciting closing kick.  

John Henry's class was second to none. He still holds the record for most grade I wins with 15. He has more grade I victories then the likes of Cigar, Spectacular Bid, Zenyatta, Forego, Affirmed, and Bayakoa just to name a few.

In 1981, John Henry had a legendary season, one that would match up with any horse, of any era. He started his 6 year old campaign off in stylish fashion, winning a GII race on the turf at Santa Anita. He then conquered his foes in the GI Santa Anita Handicap. Following his “Big Cap” victory, the ferocious John Henry won back to back grade I races on the turf at Hollywood Park. After a tough trip in the Hollywood Gold Cup, he shipped to New York, where he crushed his competition in the GIII Sword Dancer. Then came his heart thumping, nose victory in the inaugural Arlington Million. He capped his season off with wins in the historic Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, and the Oak Tree Invitational at Hollywood Park. He was named Horse of The Year.

Like any great champion, John was prideful. After winning a race, he would often turn towards the tote-board. Every great champion likes to see how fast they run, right?

In 8 seasons of racing, John won 39 races and over $6.5 Million in purse money. All of his grade I victories came after the age of 5. John Henry was one of the most sound horses to ever race. Trainer Ron McAnally once said, “He was so smart, he would step over rocks on his way to the track.

John Henry ran in three Arlington Millions. He won two of them and was a mere inch away from winning a third. In his final season of racing, at the age of nine, John captured the GI Hollywood Invitational, the GI Arlington Million, the GI Turf Classic, and the GI Sunset Handicap. Once again, he was awarded Horse of the Year honors.

Let me preface this debate by stating that I believe what you said Scott, John Henry is an all-time great, and a racing icon. I do believe however, that on his best day he would not have beaten another Arlington Million winner on his best day. That horse of course, being the 1986 winner, Manila.

I can’t argue a popularity contest between the two, because obviously I would not have a leg to stand on, but don’t forget Manila is in the Hall of Fame despite being recognized as only a turf horse. Also, remember what he did when given a chance to race against the supposed unbeatable European, Dancing Brave. It was Manila who visited the winners’ circle that day, becoming one of only two American three-year-old colts to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Manila did not need to be very versatile; he would just put himself in a winning position early before blowing the doors off his competition with an unstoppable burst. By the way, his trainer, Leroy Jolley, believed Manila could handle dirt so well that despite his turf dominance, he was planning on running Manila against the big boys on dirt before his career ending injury.

Class over a long period of time yes, but how’s this for class … Manila’s final eleven races were all stakes, including two million dollar races. What was his record in those races? Ten wins and one 2nd, and even that 2nd was a half-length defeat while giving the winner 12 pounds.I will not dispute that he was great that year, but I will point out that I was at that big dirt win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. It was not the strongest JCGC field assembled, by any means. Also, in both of his losses that season, he finished out of the money. Manila never finished worse than 2nd after his career debut. 

To further illustrate his consistency, despite the disparity in the length of their careers, Manila’s nine-race win streak compares favorably with John Henry’s longest streak of six in a row. In that streak, Manila displayed how special he was by defeating older horses in four straight races as a three-year-old in the United Nations, Ballantine Scotch Classic, Turf Classic, and Breeders’ Cup Turf

That’s nice. What did he do in the 44 races that he lost? Sorry, I could not resist. Speaking of those losses, Manila won 67% of his races, compared to John Henry at 47%. Manila also averaged $149,600 in earnings per start, while John Henry checked in at $79,493 while racing in the same era.

A remarkable career to be sure, but because Manila was not gelded, he never had the chance to run past the age of four. What he did though in that short amount of time was amazing. In 14 races on the grass which made up his final 14, Manila won 11 times and finished 2nd in the other three races. John Henry may have had incredible longevity, but Manila was pure brilliance, able to accomplish great things in a short amount of time.

John Henry did make three very good runs at the Million, winning one photo, losing another, and beating the fine filly Royal Heroine by 1 ¾ lengths in the third. Meanwhile, Manila only had a chance at one, and it was awesome, as he opened a big lead with a powerful move on the turn, and coasted home by 1 ½ lengths over Sharrood, with champion Theatrical another 3 ¼ lengths back in third. There was no need for photos, and no doubt who would win that day … Manila was that good.

There may be no doubt in your mind, but there is doubt in my mind, and I am not the only one. In his 2006 book titled The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing, acclaimed author Steve Davidowitz ranks Manila as the best long-distance turf horse in American racing history, while John Henry was listed at #2. I agree … of all the Arlington Million winners, I’d say Manila was the best, with John Henry checking in a very distinguished #2.