Longtime Florida horse racing legend Milton S. Hendry, 82, died June 27 in Crystal River, Fla.
The Bay Springs, Miss., native loved horses all his life and first competed professionally in show racing, rodeo and barrel racing. He later rode at unsanctioned meets in the South and Midwest before earning his Louisiana Quarter Horses license in 1972. Before retiring in 1986, he was a top Quarter Horse jockey at Commonwealth Racetrack in Louisville, Ky., and Pompano Park in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Hendry began training for Alec and Louise Courtelis’ Town and Country Farms in McIntosh, Florida. In November 1988, he began working for Fred W. Hooper, where he tamed and trained top Thoroughbreds during his 12 years of service, including Diplomatic Jet and Roman Envoy.
After a brief stint working for John Franks at his Franks Farm in Ocala, Fla., Hendry worked at Arthur Appleton’s Bridlewood Farm, where he tamed and trained the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner. smart jones .
Hendry and his wife of 37 years, Beth, owned Westfield Farm in Ocala from 2000 to 2008, where they bred mares and sold foals as yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. The couple bred and sold Don’t Get Mad, who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1) and won the Indiana Derby (G2) in 2005.
Hendry retired from Bridlewood Farm in 2012 to help his son, Lane, start Hendry Training.
He enjoyed traveling across the United States in his motor home, visiting his favorite places—Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, and Redwood National and State Parks in California. He loved spending time with his family and greatly enjoyed being involved in his grandchildren’s activities.
In addition to his wife, Hendry is survived by his children Katrina (Craig) Patterson, Lynn Hendry, Lane (Shantel) Hendry, Casey (Ashley) Hendry and Byron (Jennifer) Saucer; and his grandchildren Ben Myers, Madi Garcia, Cassidy Stone, Tucker Hendry, Grant Saucer, Easton Hendry, Harper Saucer, Atleigh Hendry, Guy Hendry and Magnolia Hendry.
A memorial service will be held at Gulf to Lake Church in Crystal River at 11 a.m. on July 26. Contributions in Milton’s memory may be sent to Gulf to Lake Church, 1454 North Gulf Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34429.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse team.
