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Legendary race horse John Henry dead at 32

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Two-time Horse of the Year John Henry, the winner of 30 U.S. stakes races and a 1990 inductee into the Racing Hall of Fame has been put down at the age of 32.

Veterinarians at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington said the horse suffered kidney problems and a loss of muscle mass, which made it impossible to maintain a quality of life for the gelding. He was euthanized Monday

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"After continued successful efforts to maintain the quality of John Henry's life, in the past 48 hours he did not respond to our medical intervention," said Kathy Hopkins, the park's equine director. "… Over the years, our goal has always been to maintain the highest quality of care and life for him and it became evident over the weekend that this was no longer possible."

John Henry won 39 races, including 30 stakes victories, and earned more than $6.5 million -- the most for any thoroughbred upon his retirement in 1985. He was a seven-time Eclipse Award winner, capturing Horse of the Year honors at ages 6 and 9, and was inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1990.

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