McAnally Remembers the Great John Henry

History marks mankind’s epitome of greatness with statues. From Grant to Lincoln, they’re eternally memorialized in bronze.

In the equine category, John Henry’s likeness stands for the ages near the Kingsbury Fountain area adjacent to the walking ring at Santa Anita, where the grand gelding and two-time Horse of the Year won 11 of his 39 races from 83 career starts.

John Henry, a son of Ole Bob Bowers, earned $6,597,947 in a campaign that ended on Oct. 13, 1984, when he won the Ballantine Handicap at The Meadowlands in his final race, finishing with a string of four straight victories to cement Horse of the Year honors at the age of nine. He also was named Horse of the Year in 1981.

Sunday’s Grade II John Henry Turf Championship is named in his honor.

“Looking back on his career, all the races he won all over the country, grass, dirt, anything, the most impressive thing I can say about him now is the fact that he was Horse of the Year at the age nine,” his Hall of Fame trainer, Ron McAnally, 82, said.

“Horses are like human beings. They’re athletes, but the older they get, they tail off in any sport. So for John Henry to be the Horse of the Year at the age of nine, I don’t think any horse will ever do that again.”

Source: Santa Anita Park