He was ornery, hard to handle and not much to look at; the kind of racehorse who kept changing hands because everyone thought he was no more than just another “also ran.” But destiny had other plans for John Henry — and his remarkable legacy would begin when Sam Rubin, a bicycle salesman who knew nothing about horses, purchased him for $25,000 and turned him over to Hall of Fame trainer, Ron McAnally. Suddenly, the horse no one wanted was shattering records and winning dramatically at racetracks all over the country. Ridden by Hall of Fame jockeys Willie Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay Jr., and Chris McCarron, John Henry’s legendary racing career continued. He touched the hearts of racing fans everywhere. People from all walks of life felt a deep connection to this extraordinary racehorse. John Henry was a reminder of the dauntless American spirit, the courage to overcome any obstacle, and the will to never give up. He won numerous Eclipse Awards and was named Horse of the Year in 1981 and again as a nine year old in 1984. John Henry defied the odds… and his timeless rags-to-riches story is what makes him a true American hero.
