John Henry Recovering From Colic Surgery

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

John Henry, the former leading money-earner who has been a popular attraction at the Kentucky Horse Park since his arrival in 1985, is recuperating from colic surgery performed Jan. 25 at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary clinic near Lexington. Dr. Michael Spirito headed the operation in which three feet of John Henry's intestine was removed.

"He's a tough old bird who has beat the odds all his life," said Horse Park executive director John Nicholson about the 27-year-old gelding. "He's doing very well, and we expect him back in four or five days."

A member of the same crop as Affirmed and Alydar, John Henry (Ole Bob Bowers -- Once Double, by Double Jay) was Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984 for owner Sam Rubin. He won 39 of 83 starts and earned $6.5 million.

• Email
• Print
• Tweet