In the storied history of American Quarter Horse racing, few names command as much respect as Johnie Goodman. He wasn’t just a horse trainer; he was a master horseman, a legend forged on the demanding tracks of the Southwest, and the only man to ever condition a horse for the elusive Ruidoso Downs Triple Crown. Goodman’s story is one of raw talent, relentless determination, and an intuitive connection with the equine athletes under his care. His crowning achievement came with the phenomenal colt Special Effort, a horse he guided to an undefeated two-year-old season in 1981 that remains a benchmark of greatness in the sport. Though he has since passed, the legacy of Johnny Goodman is forever etched in the record books, a testament to a trainer who reached the absolute pinnacle of his profession.
His journey began far from the roar of the crowd and the high-stakes world of futurities. Goodman was a Texan, through and through, but unlike many of his peers, he wasn’t born into a racing dynasty. With a background in construction, his entry into the horse world was almost accidental, a twist of fate centered on a single, unruly animal that would unknowingly set the course for the rest of his life. It is this unlikely start that makes his later dominance all the more remarkable. He didn’t have generations of knowledge to fall back on; he had grit, observation, and an innate feel for a horse. This foundation, built on the dusty bush tracks of Texas, prepared him for a destiny he couldn’t have imagined—to train one of the greatest Quarter Horses the world has ever seen and achieve something no one has ever replicated.
From Construction to the Racetrack: Goodman’s Unlikely Start
Born in Karnes City, Texas, in 1939 and raised primarily in Corpus Christi, Johnie Goodman’s early life gave no indication of the legendary career that awaited him. He had no childhood exposure to the world of horses, let alone the highly competitive sphere of Quarter Horse racing. After graduating high school, he entered the construction trade, a world of hard labor and tangible results, far removed from the subtle art of communicating with a thousand-pound animal. His path took a dramatic turn thanks to a collaboration with a coworker and a particularly challenging horse.
Together, they spent $500 on a calf roping horse that had one major flaw: it wouldn’t stop. The horse would, as Goodman recalled, “just blow right by a calf.” Their attempts to retrain the horse for its intended job failed, but they noticed its raw, unadulterated speed. In a moment of inspiration, they took the runaway roping horse to a local bush track. There, against the odds, he started winning. That horse, a son of Glory Be Good named Glory’s Hemi, became the unlikely catalyst for a Hall of Fame career. He was the one that got Goodman started training racehorses.
Sensing an opportunity and a newfound passion, Goodman began taking on a few horses for other people, officially setting up a public stable in Victoria, Texas, in 1970. The non-parimutuel tracks of Texas and Louisiana in those days were a ruthless environment. Money was tight, the competition was fierce, and disputes were often settled with a harsh word or more. It was a tough school, but it honed Goodman’s instincts and resilience. He learned to read horses and people, developing the quiet confidence and steely resolve that would later define his success at the highest levels of the sport.
The Ruidoso Reign: A Legendary Run in the Early 1980s
By the time the 1980s dawned, Johnie Goodman was no longer just a Texas bush-track trainer; he was a force to be reckoned with. His stable had grown in quality, and his reputation for getting a horse to fire at the right moment was spreading. The ultimate proving ground for any Quarter Horse trainer was, and still is, Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, home to the sport’s richest and most prestigious races. It was here, between 1980 and 1982, that Goodman orchestrated a run of classic victories that stands as one of the greatest training feats in history.
The domination began on August 24, 1980, when Goodman sent out Native Gambler to win the All American Derby, one of the most coveted prizes for three-year-olds. Just one week later, on Labor Day, he proved it was no fluke. He saddled Higheasterjet to a stunning victory in the All American Futurity, the crown jewel of Quarter Horse racing. Winning both the Derby and the Futurity in the same week was a monumental achievement, signaling the arrival of a truly elite trainer. Higheasterjet would go on to win the Rainbow Derby and All American Derby as a three-year-old, further cementing Goodman’s ability to develop and maintain top-level equine athletes.
This incredible stretch was just a warm-up for what was to come. Goodman’s mastery was on full display, his horses known for their explosive power and flawless execution. He captured an astonishing eight of the classic races at Ruidoso Downs during this three-year period. Other trainers had good seasons, but Goodman was having an era. He had cracked the code to preparing a young horse for the intense pressure of Ruidoso’s futurity season, and he was about to use that knowledge to make history.
The Unprecedented Triple Crown: The Story of Special Effort
Every sport has its Mount Everest, an achievement so difficult it is considered almost mythical. In Quarter Horse racing, that feat is the Ruidoso Two-Year-Old Triple Crown: winning the Kansas Futurity, the Rainbow Futurity, and the All American Futurity in a single summer. In 1981, Johnie Goodman and a powerhouse colt named Special Effort did the impossible. To this day, Special Effort remains the only horse to ever capture this legendary prize.
The journey began with the Kansas Futurity (then held at Ruidoso Downs), which Special Effort won with authority. Next came the Rainbow Futurity, a race he again dominated, setting the stage for a historic attempt on Labor Day. The pressure was immense. No horse had ever won the first two legs and gone on to claim the third. The All American Futurity is the richest race in the sport, and the added weight of the Triple Crown made the 1981 edition an event for the ages.
On that fateful Labor Day, over a sloppy, rain-soaked racetrack, Special Effort left no doubt. He didn’t just win; he annihilated the competition, storming home four lengths clear of the field. The victory was a coronation. Johnie Goodman hoisted the trophy in the winner’s circle, having secured his place in history as the only trainer to ever condition a Triple Crown champion. The achievement was the result of a year-long, masterfully orchestrated campaign. Goodman had managed the colt’s health, fitness, and mental state to perfection, ensuring he peaked for three demanding races in just a few short months. It was, and remains, the ultimate testament to his skill as a horseman.
A Lasting Legacy in Quarter Horse Racing
After his history-making run in the early ’80s, Johnie Goodman continued to train successfully for many years, his reputation as one of the all-time greats firmly secured. He eventually retired from the demanding life on the track and settled into a quieter existence in Huntsville, Texas. Though he was no longer in the public eye, his influence on the sport was indelible. He set a new standard for what was possible, and his Triple Crown victory with Special Effort remains the aspirational benchmark for every owner, breeder, and trainer in Quarter Horse racing.
Tragically, Johnie A. Goodman passed away on May 2, 2024, at the age of 84, following a house fire at his residence. His death marked the end of an era, a final closing of a chapter that was filled with unparalleled success. He is remembered not just for the trophies and the records, but for his journey. He was the man from the construction yard who, through sheer talent and hard work, rose to the very top of his profession. His story is a powerful reminder that greatness can come from the most unexpected places. Johnie Goodman wasn’t just the trainer of Special Effort; he was a horseman’s horseman, a Texas legend whose legacy will thunder down the homestretch of history forever.
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnie Goodman
What was Johnie Goodman’s most famous horse?
Without a doubt, his most famous horse was Special Effort. In 1981, Goodman trained Special Effort to become the first and only Quarter Horse in history to win the Ruidoso Downs Two-Year-Old Triple Crown, an achievement that immortalized both horse and trainer.
What is the Quarter Horse Triple Crown?
The Quarter Horse Triple Crown consists of winning the three most prestigious two-year-old races at Ruidoso Downs in a single summer. The three races are the Kansas Futurity (the first leg at the time), the Rainbow Futurity (the second leg), and the All American Futurity (the final and richest leg).
Was Johnie Goodman the only trainer to win the Triple Crown?
Yes. To this day, Johnie Goodman remains the only trainer in the history of Quarter Horse racing to have conditioned a horse to win the Ruidoso Two-Year-Old Triple Crown. This singular achievement is what makes his career truly legendary.
When did Johnie Goodman pass away?
Johnie Goodman passed away on the night of Friday, May 2, 2024, at his home in Huntsville, Texas. He was 84 years old. His passing was widely mourned in the horse racing community as the loss of a true icon of the sport.
Where was Johnie Goodman from?
Johnie Goodman was a proud Texan. He was born in Karnes City, grew up in Corpus Christi, and began his legendary training career in Victoria. He was living in Huntsville, Texas, at the time of his passing, having spent his entire life in the state that shaped him.
