A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of quenchant spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. Supply of the quenchant to the quench rings is coordinated with control of the quench rings to selectively change the pressure, quenchant spray exit velocity from the quench rings, flow rate or pattern of the quenchant spray onto the workpiece depending upon mass cooling requirements as the workpiece passes through the quench rings.