Work has begun at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on a statue that will honor two-time Horse of the Year John Henry.

Shelley Hunter, the executive director of the American Academy of Equine Art, is creating the sculpture to honor John Henry, who was euthanized on October at age 32. The Ole Bob Bowers gelding out of Once Double, by Double Jay, lived at the Horse Park from 1985 until his death and is buried outside his paddock.

Hunter’s studio is located at the Horse Park. Visitors can watch the statue being created on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

“It is a unique opportunity for the public to watch a historically significant statue being created,” Bill Oster, chairman of the John Henry Memorial committee, said. “Shelley Hunter is a world-renowned equine sculptor.”

Oster said plans call for the sculpture to be finished by the end of May and it will take most of the summer to cast it in bronze. An unveiling is scheduled for October 8—the one-year anniversary of John Henry’s death.

“John Henry thrilled so many people at the racetrack with what he accomplished there and inspired even more at the Kentucky Horse Park with his story of the difficult road he traveled,” Oster said. “We need to preserve this legend for generations to come.”

John Henry fans are invited to contribute to the cost of the statue. Checks should be made payable to the John Henry Memorial Fund and sent to Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, Kentucky, 40324. 

To make donations by phone, contact the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation at (859) 255-5727. For more information about the memorial, contact Oster at (502) 316-0980 or e-mail johnhenrymemorial@yahoo.com.