Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins gave John Henry a rub on the nose on Aug. 26, 1985, after the famous Thoroughbred arrived at Lexington’s Blue Grass Field, now called Blue Grass Airport. The two-time Eclipse Horse of the Year was coming home to Lexington for his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park. John Henry, a 10-year-old gelding at the time of his retirement, was taken to the Horse Park, where waiting there was a shiny new stall made of oak and brass in a barn named “The Hall of Champions.” John Henry, the oldest horse to win a Grade 1 race — at age 9 — lived at the Horse Park for 22 years. He died in October 2007 and was buried near the Hall of Champions at a spot in front of his paddock. Read the story from our archives on when the legendary horse came home. Photo by Frank Anderson | Staff