It’s always been an anniversary of something, better known as the last refuge of a lazy writer. But it’s real. Forty years ago, amid the glare of a sports world still reeling from the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, horse racing’s most famous figure came to a Chicago suburb to win the Arlington Million (G1T) for the second time in just four races.
John Henry was that horse. Say his name out loud. There were few like him before he came along and none like him since. He had the backstory of Seabiscuit, the tenacity of Kelso and the impressive swagger of Forego, along with enduring public admiration that extended far beyond the boundaries of the Thoroughbred world. He also lived to be 32, which makes sense, because John Henry hated to lose.
He also played well to the last drop. The 1984 Arlington Million was the 81st start of a career that began on Louisiana soil at Jefferson Downs, which had not been run since 1992. At age 9, John Henry had won his last four starts and was poised for more, but a strained ligament prevented him from running in his first Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Hollywood Park and ultimately marked the end of the fairy tale.
John Henry’s ’84 Million comes to mind because the modern version of the Million show will be held on August 11, at Downs ColonyLocated just off I-64 in eastern Virginia, about halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg, it’s a long way from Arlington Park, where Million started and belonged. But since Arlington has fallen into disrepair, thanks to Churchill Downs Inc.’s sale to real estate speculators, Million needs a new home.
Inclement weather moved the Million and its companions—the Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) and Secretariat Stakes (G2T)—from the previous day. Same with the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) at soggy Saratoga Race Track. That group has been involved in an unusually rich Sunday menu that will start overseas with the 2023 Eclipse champions on women’s turf. Inspiration is looking to restart his momentum in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville, then present a five-horse Best Pal Stakes (G3) at Del Marand the 89th Longacres Mile at Emerald Hill.
It’s not fair to compare the field assembled for the 1984 Million to the group of six lured to Colonial Downs on Sunday. But it had to be done anyway. At least there was some international flavor, in keeping with the Million’s prime directive laid out by Arlington’s Joe Joyce decades ago.
Ancient Rome last seen finishing second by half a horse length Prayer in Ascot’s Anne Cowley Summer Mile Stakes (G2) for Charlie Hills, is hoping for an easier take on the American he won last year in the Mint Millions Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.
And what would a major North American turf race be without another English Charlie—Appleby? He’s won nine graded awards in 2024 on this side of the pond and will be looking to add another with Pride of Nations who has a passport that looks like it’s on the run from Interpol. After races in Dubai, Germany, Canada and Bahrain, he arrived at the Million after finishing second behind stablemate Measurement time in the Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga in June.
Old John Henry faced 11 ruthless opponents in 1984, among them Majesty’s Prince, who had just won the Sword Dancer Handicap (G1T) at Belmont Parkand Nijinsky’s Secret, which came third in the 1983 Million contest.
The international contingent included Hot Touch and Muscatite from England and Crystal Glitters and Mourjane from France, all with solid records. Charlie Whittingham was still trying to beat John Henry, so he brought in Dahar and Gato del Sol from California. John Gosden had taken Royal Heroine to the Million all summer, and she was at the peak of her remarkable game. And since Jerry Fanning had beaten John Henry on clay in the 1984 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) with Desert Wine, he figured why not give the son of Damascus a chance to do the same on grass.
After winning his first Million in 1981, John Henry missed the second due to minor injuries. In the 1983 race, he was ambushed by the English 3-year-old Tolomeo and lost by a neck. That race gave Chris McCarron a recurring nightmare, and he was determined to put it to bed in 1984.
“I wanted to make sure I kept Nijinsky’s secret,” McCarron said. “He cost me the race last year when he slipped off the fence and let Tolomeo in.”
Meanwhile, Fernando Toro had to declare a halt to the race after Royal Heroine took the number 1 position.
“In that position, looking straight ahead at the gate, you’re pointing straight at the rails at the turn,” Toro said recently. “I had no choice but to get out there the best I could. Another position and I could get some cover. So no one else really wanted to lead, so I took what they gave me.”
While Toro negotiated the tricky angle at the start, John Henry burst out of the gate and hit his stride perfectly, his sheepskin roll bobbing up and down in a rhythm that Ron McAnally likened to a steady oil pump. McCarron sat cool on John Henry, enjoying the inside ride behind Royal Heroine and, on the outside, Nijinsky’s Secret.
They reached the top of the straight in the same formation, though Nijinsky’s Secret was clearly on the ropes. Toro, king of the California turf, let Royal Heroine drift slightly to his right, a move that did not fool McCarron for a moment. A more trusting soul would have accepted the invitation, only to see the door slam in their faces.
“It was worth a try,” Toro said with a laugh. “Chris told me after the race, ‘I’ve been racing you long enough not to fall for that.’”
As Nijinsky’s Secret faltered, McCarron pushed John Henry out, accelerated and caught Royal Heroine in pole position for eighth.
John Henry won the 1984 Arlington Million at Arlington Park
“Knowing she was a classy mare, I figured she would fight pretty well,” McCarron said. “But I was loaded. I could feel John was in top form. From pole position eight, I said, ‘Just don’t fall off.’”
The winning distance was one and three-quarter lengths. John Henry went on to win the Turf Classic (G1T) at Belmont Park, the Ballantine’s Scotch Classic Handicap at the Meadowlands and his second Eclipse Award Horse of the Year title. Royal Heroine finished her season with wins in her first Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) and the Matriarch Stakes (G1T) at Hollywood Park, along with her title as Champion Mare on Turf.
“You know, I never felt bad about finishing second in the Million that year,” Toro said. “Like John Gosden said after the race – it takes a champion to beat a champion.”
