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Presidential Pedigree

November/December 2005

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Presidential Pedigree

Courtesy Robert Hess

Who is 2 years old, eats oats from a can and is worth $100,000? John Hennessy, of course. A Thoroughbred colt purchased recently at an auction in Kentucky became John Hennessy after owner Kenneth Swanson sent a letter to the Stanford president asking to borrow his name. Hennessy, who had visited Swanson, ’41, at his home in Del Mar, Calif., replied: “I’d be honored.” Trained by Robert Hess, ’87, the newly christened horse won in his second race ever. “He’s a keeper,” Swanson says.

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