I never had the chance to see John Henry live or in person as I didn’t start following the sport until a few years after he retired but he quickly became one of my all-time favorites.

would a horse like John Henry, who was so-so in his early years but top class as he got older, have a trainer or an owner patient enough to let him develop in today’s racing world? Lava Man and The Tin Man are some of the recent older geldings that made a name for themselves later on in their careers but they seem to be the exception to the rule. Sadly, if John raced today, he might be banished to the bush tracks before he’d ever get the chance to show his talent.