In 1981, Henry Wood ventured to New York in search of a steeplechase that could hopefully conquer the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, Tennessee. Henry was an experienced amateur jockey who had a burning desire to win what was at the time the most notable amateur race on the NSA circuit. He arrived at Belmont Park and enlisted the help of former steeplechase jockey and New York trainer Leo O’Brien to select a suitable horse. With his numerous connections in the back, Leo and Henry found themselves in the barn of legendary condo conditioner Frank “Poncho” Martin.
Leo inquired about a three-year claimant named Census. Census had class and endurance and held the track record at Aqueduct for 1 5/8 miles on the dirt track. Henry approved of the chestnut gelding’s physical appearance and asked Frank if he could sit on him during a gallop. Frank’s answer was a curt ‘no’, but he agreed when Leo asked to gallop with the horse. After a lap around the Belmont training circuit, Leo Henry recommended the purchase of Census and the deal was closed. Janet Elliot became the neophyte’s “hunter” trainer. In 1983, Henry Wood rode his own Census to victory in the 1983 Iroquois! It was the culmination of a plan by Henry Wood and his name is forever engraved on the historic trophy.
Memory of Keith L. O’Brien.
Obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/wood/henry
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