I was at the Meadowlands that night, and to this day I'm thankful that I was at John Henry's last race. He didn't look like he would get there with about a half mile to go, but his incredible will to win was still there. What a horse!
The old man Johhhhhhn Henry takes command! I was exactly 3 weeks old when this race took place and I get goosebumps watching it. I live to regret to have never seen such a great horse in person. God bless John Henry!
betteroffsingle: I'm glad you've resigned yourself to the fact that nobody wants to be with you anyway. John Henry wired a 1 3/4 mile race, going 1:09 and change for 6 f - fast fractions meant no more to J.H. than slow ones. He knew what it would take to win and did it. Period.
We have released a documentary about John Henry. He was a beautiful horse with a beautiful soul. He will be dearly missed. Check out our Youtube page for the trailer and the website for all other info at john henry movie. Lets not forget the inspiration he was for all who were fortunate enough to know him.
John Henry made that look easy. He was never even asked for an all out drive. The jock let him run the way the horse wanted to run. Level of competition or equaling the track record is irrelevant. This horse knew what he had to do to win. If he could talk he would probably tell the jock, look dude I know what I'm doing so just enjoy the ride.
Im not even a racing fan, though I grew up in thoroughbred country (Ocala, FL), and do love the animals. This race (which I was fortunate to stumble upon accidently the day they ran) is the one in which he stole my heart. I had never heard of him, but when I saw JH enter the gate I knew he stood out from all the others as a winner. I recall that the odds were heavily against him that day. The way he came from behind is just astonishing. RIP JOHN HENRY, the greatest racehorse of all time.
This is one of my all time favorite races. His last race. To win it closing in on the other horses. Truly one of a kind champion. I miss him very much. Rest in Peace John~John. XO
My God, that's such an amazing thing to watch: A nine year old in his final race just blowing them all away down the stretch, matching the track record in the process! He's the very definition of a Hall-of-Famer.
@gfn02 Oh please. They GIFTWRAPPED the track record for a NINE year old. Did you see those fractions? This race wasn't even kosher. A going-away present for a truly great animal. They might not have betean him anyway, but everyone seemed to want him to win on this, his last, race.
If they ran against him before they probably did. Horses are acutely aware of their surroundings. They have a pecking order and when a dominant one rolls up they know it. It is ingrained into the horse. He was just incredible,not flashy, didn't always win,but he gave his all every single time,I respect that.
...Then John Henry 8th...John Henry looks for racing room...The Old Man John Henry is 5th at this point...John Henry out on the far outside and he's flying and down the stretch they come: The Old Man John Henry takes command by a length...here they come to the finish and here's John Henry in front.
John Henry was tough, and talented. A very special boy, who did it his way till the end! He lived a long, full life, and earned LOTS of money! Rest in Peace boy, heaven is much richer now that you have entered. You will never be forgotten!You were one of a kind. The great JOHN HENRY!
I've seen John Henry so many times--I am a Kentucky Horse Park regular. I have read so many stories about his acomplishments today--he passed away just this evening (October 8th 2007 at age 32). But John Henry's legend will live on and we loved him dearly. What a hero--and the "old man" really gave his all even in his last race at age 9. They just don't make them like that any more. Rest in peace, John Henry!
Thank you so much for unearthing this race! Dave Johnson was in rare form for this race - wonderful hearing his call perfectly shadowing the event. Brilliant! Which horse was Jerry Bailey riding - was it "who's for dinner"?
yep...who's for dinner was in his prime that year as well. I worked for Tartan Farms in '84 and boy were there some fantastic horses at Belmont--Groovy, Ogygian (sp), Cozzene, Gate Dancer--but John Henry was the meanest. LOL. He was a good old bugger. Bye m8.
It was Dave Johnson in his prime. A vibrant voice, among the first in racecalling who had a pace and style perfect for both PA work and TV sportscasting. He didn't just make this call, he AUTHORED it.
The Living Legend: his races still bring out the emotions! "The Old Man" - what a champ! I get tears every time I watch him...what a closer. Goose bump moments for sure!! Love you John~John XOXO Judy Burbank, CA
WOW! Utterly brillant! I will miss John Henry.
chopard4545 5 months ago
I was at the Meadowlands that night, and to this day I'm thankful that I was at John Henry's last race. He didn't look like he would get there with about a half mile to go, but his incredible will to win was still there. What a horse!
unclesnoopy 6 months ago
The old man Johhhhhhn Henry takes command! I was exactly 3 weeks old when this race took place and I get goosebumps watching it. I live to regret to have never seen such a great horse in person. God bless John Henry!
rusinrockt 1 year ago
betteroffsingle: I'm glad you've resigned yourself to the fact that nobody wants to be with you anyway. John Henry wired a 1 3/4 mile race, going 1:09 and change for 6 f - fast fractions meant no more to J.H. than slow ones. He knew what it would take to win and did it. Period.
youvenoidea1 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
We have released a documentary about John Henry. He was a beautiful horse with a beautiful soul. He will be dearly missed. Check out our Youtube page for the trailer and the website for all other info at john henry movie. Lets not forget the inspiration he was for all who were fortunate enough to know him.
JohnHenryMovie 1 year ago
John Henry made that look easy. He was never even asked for an all out drive. The jock let him run the way the horse wanted to run. Level of competition or equaling the track record is irrelevant. This horse knew what he had to do to win. If he could talk he would probably tell the jock, look dude I know what I'm doing so just enjoy the ride.
joefederico 1 year ago 2
who does that voice and down the strectch they come? i havent heared him since 2000 kentucky derby...
buffsfan01 2 years ago
Dave Johnson
recutting 2 years ago
Im not even a racing fan, though I grew up in thoroughbred country (Ocala, FL), and do love the animals. This race (which I was fortunate to stumble upon accidently the day they ran) is the one in which he stole my heart. I had never heard of him, but when I saw JH enter the gate I knew he stood out from all the others as a winner. I recall that the odds were heavily against him that day. The way he came from behind is just astonishing. RIP JOHN HENRY, the greatest racehorse of all time.
cloisterene 3 years ago 5
OMG
What a way to go out: ON TOP
(I get goose bumps when I watch this race)
and the winner is .. JOHN HENRY
mcmorrison 3 years ago 4
What a horse! He's in my top ten. Permission to use this video on my blog?
artful78555 3 years ago 3
Absolutely!
recutting 3 years ago
This is one of my all time favorite races. His last race. To win it closing in on the other horses. Truly one of a kind champion. I miss him very much. Rest in Peace John~John. XO
lovetheponies 3 years ago 2
My God, that's such an amazing thing to watch: A nine year old in his final race just blowing them all away down the stretch, matching the track record in the process! He's the very definition of a Hall-of-Famer.
gfn02 4 years ago 9
@gfn02 Oh please. They GIFTWRAPPED the track record for a NINE year old. Did you see those fractions? This race wasn't even kosher. A going-away present for a truly great animal. They might not have betean him anyway, but everyone seemed to want him to win on this, his last, race.
BettorOffSingle 1 year ago
@BettorOffSingle You are an idiot.
weakkneeswillie 1 year ago
@weakkneeswillie You'd shit your pants before you'd ever call me a name to my face LOL let the anger out coward glad I could help
BettorOffSingle 1 year ago
@BettorOffSingle I'm sorry Sensitive Sally. You are a misinformed miscreant. Good luck being you for the rest of your life.
weakkneeswillie 1 year ago
@weakkneeswillie Like I said, you have internet bravery. It's the only place you can mouth off. I understand. Must suck for you.
BettorOffSingle 1 year ago
Those horses could not have known who was blowing by them, or did they? I bet they did. Dave Johnson reminded them if they didn't.
BE109 4 years ago
The horses might not have known who was rolling by, but you can be sure the jockeys did. The familiar shadow roll and the
bobbing head stride gave him away. They were probably all
thinking it was a late night race and past the old boy's bedtime so not to worry. Thumbs up, John.
jhhorse 4 years ago 4
If they ran against him before they probably did. Horses are acutely aware of their surroundings. They have a pecking order and when a dominant one rolls up they know it. It is ingrained into the horse. He was just incredible,not flashy, didn't always win,but he gave his all every single time,I respect that.
BE109 4 years ago 3
...Then John Henry 8th...John Henry looks for racing room...The Old Man John Henry is 5th at this point...John Henry out on the far outside and he's flying and down the stretch they come: The Old Man John Henry takes command by a length...here they come to the finish and here's John Henry in front.
lovetheponies 4 years ago 2
I love to watch this race !
A very great and powerful horse.
Thank you very much for posting this race for us.
May he RIP.
Jazzgirl8888 4 years ago 7
John Henry was tough, and talented. A very special boy, who did it his way till the end! He lived a long, full life, and earned LOTS of money! Rest in Peace boy, heaven is much richer now that you have entered. You will never be forgotten!You were one of a kind. The great JOHN HENRY!
goldenbear1950 4 years ago 3
Excellent! And yes, Johnson's at his best.
Is there any possibility of re-posting a longer version so we can hear the post-race commnetary?
Thanks.
7855waldo 4 years ago
RIP, you will never be forgotten. You tell them to make room for "THE OLD MAN"
BE109 4 years ago 6
RIP John Henry! I was only five when this was run but I remember you! Sad I never made it to meet you in person, or even just see you.
RIP!
redsox1079 4 years ago 2
I'm so sad that I never got to meet this incredible horse in person.
RIP John Henry!
cherubcheekd 4 years ago 2
I've seen John Henry so many times--I am a Kentucky Horse Park regular. I have read so many stories about his acomplishments today--he passed away just this evening (October 8th 2007 at age 32). But John Henry's legend will live on and we loved him dearly. What a hero--and the "old man" really gave his all even in his last race at age 9. They just don't make them like that any more. Rest in peace, John Henry!
kentuckydeb55 4 years ago 4
RIP Old Man, I hope the donuts are waiting for you in that big ole pasture above. Thanks for giving it your all!
beegirllw 4 years ago 3
they don't make them like that anymore.
ahsans786 4 years ago 4
No, Hero's Honor
recutting 4 years ago
Thank you so much for unearthing this race! Dave Johnson was in rare form for this race - wonderful hearing his call perfectly shadowing the event. Brilliant! Which horse was Jerry Bailey riding - was it "who's for dinner"?
jumptheoxer 4 years ago
yep...who's for dinner was in his prime that year as well. I worked for Tartan Farms in '84 and boy were there some fantastic horses at Belmont--Groovy, Ogygian (sp), Cozzene, Gate Dancer--but John Henry was the meanest. LOL. He was a good old bugger. Bye m8.
85K100RT 4 years ago
It was Dave Johnson in his prime. A vibrant voice, among the first in racecalling who had a pace and style perfect for both PA work and TV sportscasting. He didn't just make this call, he AUTHORED it.
davemock 4 years ago 8
Love watching that shadow roll roar down the stretch. Such a fitting end to a great career!
aaronbees 4 years ago 3
What a game little horse he was. Went by the 4 leaders in the stretch like they were
running thru sand. Thumbs up!
jhhorse 4 years ago 4
Superb post. Absolutely heartwarming to see John win, and so convincingly in his last start.
Fitting that he equalled a track record and then retired. Love it! Long may he live!
Thanks a lot for posting it.
cf1970 4 years ago 3
The Living Legend: his races still bring out the emotions! "The Old Man" - what a champ! I get tears every time I watch him...what a closer. Goose bump moments for sure!! Love you John~John XOXO Judy Burbank, CA
lovetheponies 4 years ago 2