Page 27 - NMHBA Spring 2022

Sonny Henderson’s grandfather, Marvin Henderson, stood 6’8” in bare feet. Sonny didn’t top out quite that high but, nonetheless, he always
cast a shadow big enough to make John “The Duke” Wayne look like a garden gnome. That may be because he was bred, born, raised, and lived the total of his 83 years (so far) in the “where-everything’s-bigger” state of Texas, while his nearly half-century of racing unfolded primarily in New Mexico.
Samuel F. Henderson is the sorta’ pretentious-sounding name Sonny signs to official documents relating to his ranching businesses, cattle, horses, oil and whatever else fits under his umbrella logo. It’s a very large umbrella. Broad. Big. Big like his grandfather. Big like Sonny’s gigantic shadow. Big like his bank accounts.
The Henderson family is a shining example of what it means to be a solid part of the pioneering mystique, especially as it relates to Texas.
“My family drove cattle into Colorado, Fort Worth, and other places,” Sonny recalled. “My grandfather belonged to the Texas Rangers, and that was the law from the Pecos to the Colorado Rivers.
“He laid out several tracts of land in 1904. Among them was the Waddell oil field, which is still producing oil and gas today. It’s been known for some fantastic numbers, such as 33-million barrels of oil.
“But oil wasn’t his only interest,” Sonny said. “He also
Marvin Henderson, Sonny’s grandfather.
“She was a fascinating mare, one of those once-in-a-lifetime dreams.” – Sonny says about Dream Rocket.
Sonny and
three-time stakes winner Dream Rocket.
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had a 400-section ranch, so big that he needed dozens of outriders to keep the cattle inside.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the word “section,” there are 640-acres in one section. That means the Henderson spread was 256,000-acres. Big.
“He was also an accomplished horse trainer, with tremendous hand/eye coordination,” Henderson continued. “I started riding when I was five and always loved horses. I developed an appetite for racing at a young age, but I didn’t go in that direction right away.”
Henderson, after graduating from Texas Christian and Southern Methodist Universities, put on his boots and suit,
“and confidently walked into the stock brokerage business. He was big, tall, and handsome, looking a smidgen like the big, tall, and handsome Elvis Presley, especially when he
“I started riding when I was fifive and always loved horses. I developed an appetite for racing at a young age, but I didn’t go in that direction
right away.”
“