J. J.'s Cowboy, Cross Country Traveler For 9/11 Victims, Dead

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J. J.'s Cowboy, whom Les Nichols rode from Texas to New York City to raise money for 9/11 victims, was euthanized Sept. 6 at Nichols' farm near Celeste, Texas. The 14-year-old gelding's death came the same day as Nichols' birthday.

A retired racehorse, J. J.'s Cowboy was put down because of a heat stroke and colic after being found cast in his stall.
Nichols started his trip aboard J. J.'s Cowboy in October of 2001 to raise money for the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Widows & Children's Fund. They arrived in New York City July 4 the following year, and were honored two days later at Belmont Park with a race named for them.

J. J.'s Cowboy (Jerimi Johnson--Santa Moon, by Moonsplash) raced from ages two through nine, winning seven of 53 races and earning $64,021 while trained his entire career by Nichols. He was stakes-placed once, in the 1994 Star of Texas Handicap at Trinity Meadows.

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