Robert Donato, Phil Marino, and Hal Snowden Jr. also trained John Henry, who was voted racehorse of the decade for the 1980s.
“John always had fire in his eyes as he circled his opponents in the paddock while they pranced, his eyes glazed with determination to win,” said Tom Levinson, Sam Rubin’s stepson. “Certainly, he was the people’s hero. …Sam and Dorothy loved sharing John’s victories with his adoring fans, and we appreciate their devotion even to this sad day.
“We are sure that if Sam Rubin were here today, he and my mother, Dorothy, would agree that their wish would be for John Henry to be remembered as the mighty, cantankerous champion we all loved.”
His memorial is on Find a Grave.
John Henry was indeed racing's ambassador.
