Longtime Florida horseman Milton S. Hendry, 82, died June 27 in Crystal River, Fla.
The native of Bay Springs, Miss., loved horses all of his life and first became professionally involved with show horses, reining horses, and barrel racing. He later rode 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, Ky., and Pompano Park in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Hendry started training for Alec and Louise Courtelis' Town and Country Farms in McIntosh, Fla. In November 1988 he started working for Fred W. Hooper, where in his 12 years of service he broke and trained top Thoroughbreds, including Diplomatic Jet and Roman Envoy.
After a brief stint for John Franks at his Franks Farm in Ocala, Fla., Hendry worked at Arthur Appleton's Bridlewood Farm, where he broke and briefly trained 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Smarty Jones.
Hendry and his wife of 37 years, Beth, owned Westfield Farm in Ocala 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 (G1) and won the Indiana Derby (G2) in 2005.
Hendry retired from Bridlewood Farm in 2012 to help his son, Lane, start Hendry Training.
He enjoyed traveling the United States in his motor home 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.
Besides his wife, Hendry is survived by his children Katrina (Craig) Patterson, Lynn Hendry, Lane (Shantel) Hendry, Casey (Ashley) Hendry, and 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. July 26. Contributions in memory of Milton can be made to Gulf to Lake Church, 1454 North Gulf Avenue, Crystal River, 34429.
