Milton S. Hendry
News Release
OCALA, Fla. —Long-time Florida horseman Milton S. Hendry passed away in Crystal River, Florida, on Thursday, June 27. He was 82.
The native of Bay Springs, Mississippi, loved horses all of his life and 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, Kentucky and Pompano Park Race Course in Pompano, Florida.
Hendry started training for Alec & Louise Courtelis’ Town & County Farm in McIntosh, Florida. In November of 1988, he started working for Fred W. Hooper, where in his twelve years of service he broke and trained some of the best Thoroughbreds including Diplomatic Jet and Roman Envoy.
After a brief stint working for John Franks at his Franks Farm in Ocala, Florida, he started working at Arthur Appleton’s Bridlewood Farm where he broke and trained the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones.
Hendry and his wife, Beth of 37 years, owned Westfield Farm in Ocala, Florida from 2000 through 2008, where they 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 Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes and won the Indiana Derby in 2005.
Hendry retired from Bridlewood Farm in 2012 to help his son, Lane, start Hendry Training.
He enjoyed travelling the United States in his motorhome visiting his favorite locations Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls and Redwood National and State Parks in California. He loved spending time with his family and tremendously enjoyed being a part of his grandchildren’s activities.
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, Florida, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 26th. Contributions in memory of Milton can be made to Gulf to Lake Church, 1454 N. Gulf Ave, Crystal River, FL 34429.
