Remembering Henry Wood
In 1981, Henry Wood ventured to New York in search of a steeplechase prospect that hopefully could capture the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, Tennessee. Henry was an accomplished amateur jockey who had a burning desire to win what was in that era the most notable amateur race on the NSA circuit. He arrived at Belmont Park and solicited the aid of former steeplechase jockey and New York trainer Leo O’Brien to select a suitable horse. With his myriad of connections on the backside, Leo and Henry found themselves in the barn of legendary flat conditioner Frank “Poncho” Martin.
Leo inquired about a three-year old claimer named Census. Census possessed class and stamina, holding 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 for a gallop. The reply from Frank was a terse “no,” but he acquiesced when Leo asked to gallop the horse. After a spin around the Belmont training track, Leo recommended the purchase of Census to Henry and the deal was struck. Janet Elliot became the neophyte ‘chaser’s trainer. In 1983, Henry Wood rode his own Census to victory in the 1983 Iroquois! It was the culmination of a plan hatched by Henry Wood and his name is forever etched on the historic trophy.
Recollection from Keith L. O’Brien.
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