Horse racing legend John Henry euthanized at 32

John Henry's Career

• Bay gelding foaled in 1975, by Ole Bob Bowers-Once Double, by Double Jay.
• Career totals: 83 starts, 39 wins, $6,591,860 in earnings
• He won seven Eclipse awards from 1980 through 1984, including Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984.
• Won the Santa Anita Handicap twice (1981 & 82)
• Only horse to win the Arlington Million twice (1981 & 1984)
• The highest money earning thoroughbred of all time at the time of his retirement.
• Inducted into National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1990

-- The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Thoroughbred great John Henry, two-time Horse of the Year who earned more than $6.5 million before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park, was euthanized Monday, the park said. He was 32.

Park spokeswoman Lisa Jackson said the Hall of Famer's health had declined over the weekend. He had lost considerable body mass and was in kidney failure, she said.

"The next step would have been so hard on him," she said. "It wouldn't have been comfortable. ... It just wouldn't have been fair to the horse."

He was retired 22 years ago to the park, where officials were making plans for a public memorial service.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Source: ESPN.com