Longtime Florida horseman Milton S. Hendry passed away in Crystal River, Florida June 27. He was 82. The native of Bay Springs, Mississippi first became professionally involved with show horses, reining horses and barrel racing. He later started race riding at unsanctioned meets in the south and midwest before receiving his jockey license to ride Quarter Horses in Louisiana in 1972. Before retiring from riding in 1986, he was a leading Quarter Horse jockey at Commonwealth Race Course in Louisville and Pompano Park Race Course.
Hendry, who trained for Alec and Louise Courtelis's Town & County Farm, began working for Fred Hooper in November of 1988. During his 12 years of service for Hooper, he broke and trained the likes of Diplomatic Jet and Roman Envoy.
After a brief stint working for John Franks at his Franks Farm in Ocala, Hendry started working at Arthur Appleton's Bridlewood Farm where he broke and trained the 2004 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones.
Hendry and his wife of 37 years, Beth, owned Westfield Farm in Ocala from 2000 through 2008 and bred their mares and sold the foals as yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. The couple bred and sold Don't Get Mad, who finished fourth in the 2005 Kentucky Derby and GI Travers Stakes and won the GII Indiana Derby.
Hendry retired from Bridlewood Farm in 2012 to help his son, Lane, start Hendry Training.
Hendry is survived by his wife Beth and children Katrina (Craig) Patterson, Lynn Hendry, Lane (Shantel) Hendry, Casey (Ashley) Hendry, Byron (Jennifer) Saucer; and grandchildren Ben Myers, Madi Garcia, Cassidy Stone, Tucker Hendry, Grant Saucer, Easton Hendry, Harper Saucer, Atleigh Hendry, Guy Hendry and Magnolia Hendry.
A celebration of life service will be held at Gulf to Lake Church in Crystal River at 11 a.m. Friday. Contributions in his memory can be made to Gulf to Lake Church, 1454 N. Gulf Ave, Crystal River, FL 34429.
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