Breyer has immortalized many famous race horses in its time, but one of the most well known is John Henry.
The real John Henry was born in 1975 to a virtually unknown sire and dam at Golden Chance farm. As a foal he became well known for smashing his feed buckets and the name John Henry was given to him, as the real John Henry was known as a “Steel Drivin’ Man”. He also went on to be gelded for being a handful of a colt. John went on to be sold at the January Keenland sale for a mere $1,100. He from there was raced in small races and proved himself to be a small force to be rivaled with. In 1978 he was purchased by Dotsam Stables and went on to race in California. He went on to race until the age of 9, which is elderly in race horse terms, and his record stood at 83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, and 9 thirds with $6,497,947 in earnings.
In 1985 John Henry went to live out his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park. His arrival became the catalyst to create the “Hall Of Champions” as we know it today! In his retirement he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York and to be ranked in Bloodhorse’s Top 100 Thoroughbred Champions of the 20th Century as #23 . During the summer of 2007 Kentucky was subject to a heat wave and John didn’t fare well through it. He developed kidney problems and on October 6th he had stopped responding to veterinary care. He was peacefully euthanized at 7:05pm on October 8th 2007. He went on to be buried outside of the Hall of Champions, in front of his paddock.
John Henry’s Grave at the Kentucky Horse Park
Breyer created a John Henry portrait mold in 1988. He has been released in several colors but the portrait of him in bay is the most recognizable. The John Henry model is a performance standard. He continues to be one of the most perfect and versatile performance mounts in model horse showing today, even garnering wins at North American Nationals year after year. The John Henry mold sadly does not make the greatest halter horse, but his ability in the performance ring makes up for any shortcomings the model may have.
Currently Breyer has John Henry released as a benefit model for the ELCR which conserves land to be able to enjoy for generations to come. The model is a fitting portrait of John! It is available in both a Dun and a Dapple Grey. Both will only be produced as a limited edition for this year only.
Posted by goldenoakstables 
