A bronze statue that memorializes two-time Horse of the Year John Henry will be unveiled at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of the death of the 32-year-old Ole Bob Bowers gelding.

The permanent memorial will be dedicated during a special ceremony that starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT in front of the Horse Park's Hall of Champions, John Henry's home prior to his death on October 8, 2007. John Henry was euthanized due to problems associated with kidney failure.

“Now that we have a year of grieving and adjusting, we will begin a new era—one of celebration for a remarkable life and an exciting legacy,” said John Nicholson, the Kentucky Horse Park's executive director. “This will be a day of joy. With his memory to inspire us, we plan to launch other legacy events in John Henry’s name which will make life better for people and horses. We believe this is the best way to honor John Henry and what he meant to each of us, by accomplishing a lot of good on behalf of others.”

Shelley Hunter, executive director of the American Academy of Equine Art, created the half life-sized sculpture of John Henry. Donations to help cover the cost of the statue can be made by contacting Bill Oster, a volunteer at the Hall of Champions, at johnhenrymemorial@yahoo.com.

A 1990 inductee into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame who was named Horse of the Year in 1981 and ’84, John Henry concluded his eight-year racing career in ’84 with $6,591,860 in purse earnings and 39 wins in 83 starts. The temperamental gelding was also a four-time champion turf male and earned champion older male honors in 1981.

For more information about the ceremony, contact the Kentucky Horse Park at (859) 233-4303.