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.