He Has Made It To 32!
Friday, February 23, 2007
LEXINGTON, KY - Wow. He has made it to 32. That same tenacity of heart and spirit which propelled John Henry to two Horse of the Year titles and record earnings, may have something to do with his ability to keep going well beyond the life-expectancy of most horses.
According to The Blood-Horse magazine’s Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century, the two greatest living, money-earning Thoroughbred racehorses are John Henry and Cigar, both of whom reside at the Kentucky Horse Park.
A celebration of his life and achievements will take place at John Henry’s 32nd Birthday Party, March 9 at 1pm in the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park. His fans are invited to attend and enjoy birthday cake and reminiscing with the great champion. Guests will also have an opportunity to purchase the wonderful new John Henry poster, created by Fred Stone for Santa Anita on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of John Henry winning the Santa Anita Handicap for the second time.
John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park noted, “It’s interesting that in the midst of the sorrow so many of us recently experienced for Barbaro and his team, our park received phone calls and email from some of Barbaro’s grieving fans who just needed to know that John Henry was still okay. It seemed to comfort them and ease their heartache in the wake of that tragedy to know that another deeply loved and respected racehorse was still alive and well. I think John Henry represents the way we all want every horse to live out its life… healthy, loved, respected, cared for, inspiring their fans and finishing well as very, very old horses.”
He continued, “Again this year, we ask that John Henry’s fans honor his life and achievements by making a donation to an equine rescue organization, such as the Secretariat Center here at the park. We believe it is a great way to pay tribute to a legendary racing hero, by assisting horses who are not as fortunate as John Henry.”
For information on John Henry’s Birthday Party, which is included with park admission, call the park’s Hall of Champions at (859) 259-4272.
Park Hours and Rates: From November 1 through March 14, the park is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-12. From March 15 through October 31, the park is open seven days a week. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children 7-12. Children six and under are always admitted free of charge. Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – A Smithsonian Affiliate, and the American Saddlebred Museum.
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