08/27/07 John Henry

The temperamental ex racehorse, John Henry finds serenity in his golden years. I'm Jeff Keane and I'll be back with more on how this famous gelding has become a happy retiree. There's nothing worse than a little stalled up frustration to make an already cantankerous thoroughbred champion completely unmanageable. Here's Becky to tell you how the 32 year old legend now copes with retirement. Winning over $6.5 Million throughout his racing career, the two time thoroughbred horse of the year (1981 and 1984) has long since hung up his racing shoes. And, even at 32 years young John Henry's nasty demeanor continued to run wild. Calling the Kentucky Horse Park home for the past twenty-two years his unbearable attitude often required John Henry to be confined to his eighteen by eighteen stall for everyone's safety. But the deterioration of his physical and mental condition prompted the staff to consider light exercise. You know, Becky I bet I'd go a little crazy locked up in a stall for twenty-two years too. I agree Jeff but this horse earned his fierce reputation long before retirement despite being the richest gelding in Thoroughbred racing history. Starting out walking the barn aisle the crew slowly expanded the time and distance of John Henry's daily excursions, with over twelve hundred acres of park and endless activities and events to explore, the horse known for his awful attitude actually seems to be enjoying life these days. Nice to see the old fellow mellowing out a bit, I guess this proves a little exercise is good for the body, mind and soul even if you are a horse. I'm Jeff Keane.