Tomorrow marks the 32nd birthday of two-time Horse of the Year John Henry. He's still going strong, and is "mean and nasty as ever," according to the article.

It's unusual for thoroughbreds to live past the age of thirty. The oldest famous thoroughbred I can think of is Gallant Man, winner of the 1957 Belmont Stakes, who lived to the ripe old age of 34 before he died in 1988.

I visited John Henry at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington back in 1989, when he was only fourteen years old. His stall was next to Forego's. I remember how they had what looked like chicken wire on the stalls, to prevent people from trying to feed them. John Henry was and is a tiny horse, while Forego (1970-1997) was huge at around 18 hands high.

I was so lucky to see him, Forego, and so many other racing greats. My timing was just right then.