National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame


The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1951 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American Thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers. In 1955, the museum moved to its current location on Union Avenue near Saratoga race course, at which time inductions into the hall of fame began. Each spring, following the tabulation of the final votes, the announcement of new inductees is made, usually during Kentucky Derby Week in early May. The actual inductions are held in mid-August during the Saratoga race meeting.
The Hall of Fame's nominating committee selects eight to ten candidates from among the four Contemporary categories to be presented to the voters. Changes in voting procedures that commenced with the 2010 candidates allow the voters to choose multiple candidates from a single Contemporary category, instead of a single candidate from each of the four Contemporary categories. For example, in 2016, two female horses were inducted at the same time.
The museum also houses a large collection of art, artifacts, and memorabilia that document the history of horse racing from the eighteenth century to the present.

History

The museum first opened its doors in 1951, at which time it occupied a single room in Saratoga's Canfield Casino. The establishment was supported by the city of Saratoga Springs, which donated $2,500, the Saratoga Racing Association, which donated $5,000, and various patrons of the sport, who also donated various pieces of art and memorabilia. The first item in the museum's collection was a horseshoe worn by the great Lexington.
In 1955, the museum relocated to its current location on Union Avenue, close to the main entrance of Saratoga Race Course. Inductions into the hall of fame began at the same time. Since then, the museum has expanded several times to allow for the display of its extensive art collection and more multimedia displays on the history of the sport.

Horses in the Hall of Fame

In the early years, inductions to the hall of fame were based on the evaluation of a panel of racing historians. In 1955, a group of 9 horses from the earliest years of the American turf were inducted. The 1956 class included 11 horses that raced around the turn of the century, while the 1957 class included 10 horses that raced up to the mid-thirties. Since then, the classes have been significantly smaller as the inductions shifted to more contemporary horses. Under current rules, a horse must have been retired for a minimum of five full calendar years to be eligible for the hall of fame. Thoroughbreds remain eligible in the contemporary category between five and 25 calendar years following their final racing year. Thoroughbreds retired for more than 25 calendar years may become eligible through the Historic Review Committee.
PhotoNameInductedCareer YearsStartsWins
A.P. Indy20001991-1992118
Ack Ack19861968-19712719
Affectionately19891962-19655228
Affirmed19801977-19792922
All Along19901981-1984219
Alsab19761941-19445125
Alydar19891977-19792614
Alysheba19931986-19882611
American Eclipse19701818-182388
Ancient Title20081972-19785724
Armed19631944-19508141
Artful19561904-190586
Arts and Letters19941968-19702311
Ashado20142003-20052112
Assault19641945-19504218
Azeri20102001-20042417
Battleship
19691929-19385524
Bayakoa19981986-19913921
Bed o'Roses19761949-19524618
Beldame19561903-19053117
Ben Brush19551895-18974025
Ben Nevis II
20091976-1980219
Best Pal20101990-19964718
Bewitch19771947-19515520
Billy Kelly20151918-19236939
Bimelech19901939-19411511
Black Gold19891923-4
1927-8
3518
Black Helen19911934-19352215
Blue Larkspur19571928-19301610
Bold 'n Determined19971979-19812016
Bold Ruler19731956-19583323
Bon Nouvel
19761963-19685116
Boston19551836-18434540
Bowl of Flowers20041960-19611610
Broomstick19561903-19053914
Buckpasser19701965-19673125
Busher19641944-19472115
Bushranger
19671932-19362111
Cafe Prince
19851972-19805218
Carry Back19751960-19636121
Cavalcade19931933-1936228
Challedon19771938-19424420
Chris Evert19881973-19751510
Cicada19671961-19644223
Cigar20021993-19963319
Citation19591947-19514532
Clifford20141892-18976242
Coaltown19831948-19513923
Colin19561907-19081515
Commando19561900-190197
Cougar II20061968-19735020
Count Fleet19611942-19432116
Crusader19951925-19284218
Curlin20142007-20081611
Dahlia19811972-19764815
Damascus19741966-19683221
Dance Smartly20031990-19921712
Dark Mirage19741967-19692712
Davona Dale19851978-19801811
Desert Vixen19791972-19752813
Devil Diver19801941-19454722
Discovery19691933-19366327
Domino19551893-18952519
Dr. Fager19711966-19682218
Duke of Magenta20111877-18781915
Easy Goer19971988-19902014
Eight Thirty19941938-19412716
Elkridge
19661941-195112331
Emperor of Norfolk19881887-18882921
Equipoise19571930-19355129
Exceller19991975-19793315
Exterminator19571917-192410050
Fair Play19561907-19093210
Fairmount
19851923-19312212
Fashion19801840-18483632
Firenze19811886-18918247
Flatterer
19941982-19875124
Flawlessly20041990-19942816
Foolish Pleasure19951974-19762616
Forego19791973-19785734
Fort Marcy19981966-19717521
Gallant Bloom19771968-19702216
Gallant Fox19571929-19301711
Gallant Man19871956-19582614
Gallorette19621944-19487221
Gamely19801967-19694116
Genuine Risk19861979-19811510
Ghostzapper20122002-2005119
Go For Wand19961989-19901310
Goldikova20172007-20112717
Good and Plenty
19561904-19072114
Good Night Shirt
20172004-20093314
Granville19971935-1936188
Grey Lag19571920-3,
1927-8, 1931
4725
Gun Bow19991963-19654217
Hamburg19861897-18982116
Hanover19551886-18895032
Harry Bassett20101870-18743623
Heavenly Prize20181993-1996189
Henry of Navarre19851893-18964229
Hill Prince19911949-19523017
Hindoo19551880-18823530
Holy Bull20011993-19951613
Housebuster20131989-19912215
Imp19651896-190117162
Inside Information20081993-19951714
Invasor20132005-20071211
Jay Trump
19711959-19662612
John Henry19901977-19848339
Johnstown19921938-19392114
Jolly Roger
19651924-19304918
Kelso19671959-19666339
Kentucky19831863-18662321
Kingston19551886-189413889
L'Escargot
19771968-19755312
La Prevoyante19951972-19743925
Lady's Secret19921984-19874525
Lava Man20152003-20094717
Lexington19551853-185476
Lonesome Glory
20051991-19994223
Longfellow19711870-18721613
Luke Blackburn19561879-18813925
Lure20131991-19942514
Majestic Prince19881968-1969109
Man o' War19571919-19202120
Manila20081985-19871812
Maskette20011908-19101712
McDynamo
20132000-20073417
Miesque19991986-19881612
Miss Woodford19671882-18864837
Mom's Command20071984-19851611
My Juliet20191974-19773624
Myrtlewood19791934-19362215
Nashua19651954-19563022
Native Dancer19631952-19542221
Native Diver19781961-19678137
Needles20001955-19572111
Neji
19661953-19604917
Noor20021947-19503112
Northern Dancer19761963-19641814
Oedipus
19781948-19525814
Old Rosebud19681913-4,
1917, 1919–22
8040
Omaha19651934-1936229
Open Mind20111988-19901912
Pan Zareta19721912-191715176
Round Table19721956-19596643
Ruffian19761974-19751110-
Ruthless19751866-1867117
Safely Kept20111988-19913124
Salvator19551888-18901916
Sarazen19571923-19285527
Seabiscuit19581935-19408933
Searching19781954-19588925
Seattle Slew19811976-19781714
Secretariat19741972-19732116-
Serena's Song20021994-19963818
Shuvee19751968-19714416
Silver Charm20071996-19992412
Silver Spoon19781958-19602713
Silverbulletday20091998-20002315
Sir Archy19551808-180974
Sir Barton19571918-19203113
Skip Away20041995-19983818
Sky Beauty20111992-19952115
Slew o' Gold19921982-19842012
Spectacular Bid19821978-19803026
Stymie19751943-194913135
Sun Beau19961927-19317433
Sunday Silence19961988-1990149
Susan's Girl19761971-19756329
Swaps19661954-19562519
Swoon's Son20071955-19585130
Sword Dancer19771958-19603915
Sysonby19561904-19051514-
Ta Wee19941968-19702115
Ten Broeck19821874-18783023
Tim Tam19851957-19581410
Tiznow20092000-2001158
Tom Fool19601951-19533021
Tom Ochiltree20161875-18773321
Top Flight19661931-19321612
Tosmah19841963-19663923
Tuscalee
20131963-19728939
Twenty Grand19571930-19352514
Twilight Tear19631943-19452418
Two Lea19821948-19522615
War Admiral19581936-19392621
Waya20191977-19792914
Whirlaway19591940-19436032
Whisk Broom II19791909-19132610
Winning Colors20001987-1989198
Xtra Heat20152000-20033526
Zaccio
19901979-19844222
Zenyatta20162007-20102019
Zev19831922-19244323

Source: National Museum of Racing and Hall

Jockeys in the Hall of fame

Contemporary jockeys become eligible for the Hall of Fame after they have been licensed for at least 20 years, and remain eligible until 25 years after retirement. In special circumstances such as fragile health, the 20 year requirement may be waived, though there is usually a five-year waiting period after retirement in such cases.
NameInductedCareer YearsWinsSignificant horses
John H. Adams19651935-19583,270Kayak II, Hasty Road
Frank "Dooley" Adams19701944-1956337Steelplechasers Neji, Elkridge
Joe Aitcheson Jr.19781957-1987478Steeplechasers Bon Nouvel, Tuscalee
Chris Antley20151983-20003,480Charismatic, Strike the Gold
Eddie Arcaro19581932-19624,779Citation, Whirlaway, Bold Ruler, Native Dancer, Kelso
Ted Atkinson19571938-19593,795Tom Fool, Gallorette, Devil Diver
Braulio Baeza19761960-19763,140**Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, Chateaugay
Jerry D. Bailey19951974-20065,894Cigar, Black Tie Affair, Hansel, Sea Hero
George Barbee19961872-1885136**Survivor, Tom Ochiltree
Shelby "Pike" Barnes20111888-c.1900not recordedBurlington
Caroll K. Bassett19721929-c.1939>100Steeplechasers Battleship, Peacock
Russell Baze19991974-201612,842Lost in the Fog, Shared Belief
Walter Blum19871953-19754,382Affectionately, Gun Bow, Pass Catcher
William Boland20061949-19692,049Beau Purple, Middleground, Amberoid
Calvin Borel20131983-*5,218+Rachel Alexandra, Mine That Bird, Street Sense, Super Saver
George Bostwick19681927-194987Steeplechasers Chenango, Escapade
Sam Boulmetis Sr.19731948-19662,783Tosmah, Dedicate
Steve Brooks19631938-19754,451Citation, Coaltown, Two Lea
Don Brumfield19961954-19894,573Kauai King, Our Mims
Thomas H. Burns19831895-19131,333Broomstick, Imp
James H. Butwell19841907-19281,402Maskette, Roamer, Sweep
J. Dallett Byers19671916-1931149Steeplechasers Jolly Roger, Fairmount
Javier Castellano20171997-*4,987+Ghostzapper, Bernardini, Cloud Computing
Steve Cauthen19941976-19922,794Affirmed, Old Vic, Oh So Sharp, Reference Point
Frank Coltiletti19701919-1934667Crusader, Mars, Sun Beau
Angel Cordero, Jr.19881960-19927,057Bold Forbes, Cannonade, Seattle Slew, Slew o' Gold, Spend a Buck
Robert H. Crawford19731916-1928139Steeplechasers The Brook, Jolly Roger
Pat Day19911973-20058,803Easy Goer, Dance Smartly, Lady's Secret, Summer Squall, Unbridled
Eddie Delahoussaye19931967-20026,384A.P. Indy, Risen Star, Princess Rooney, Prized
Kent Desormeaux20041986-*5,983+Real Quiet, Fusaichi Pegasus, Big Brown, Best Pal
Ramon Dominguez20161996-20134,985Havre de Grace, Gio Ponti, Better Talk Now
Lavelle Ensor19621918-19451,948Exterminator, Grey Lag, Hannibal
Victor Espinoza20171993-*3,358+American Pharoah, California Chrome, War Emblem
Laverne Fator19551918-19331,075Grey Lag, Black Maria, Pompey, Scapa Flow
Earlie Fires20011964-20086,470In Reality, War Censor
Jerry Fishback19921964-1987301Steeplechasers Cafe Prince, Flatterer
Mack Garner19691914-19361,346Blue Larkspur, Cavalcade
Edward H. Garrison1955late 1800s>700Firenze, Tammany
Avelino Gomez19821944-19814,081Affectionately, Ridan, Victoria Park
Garrett K. Gomez20171988-20133,769Blame, Rags to Riches, Midnight Lute
Henry Griffin1956late 1800s569Hastings, Henry of Navarre, The Butterflies
Eric Guerin19721941-19752,712Native Dancer, Jet Pilot
Anthony Hamilton20121881-1904not recordedFirenze, Salvator
Bill Hartack19591953-19744,272Northern Dancer, Majestic Prince, Iron Liege, Decidedly
Sandy Hawley19921968-19886,450L'Enjoleur, Kennedy Road, Fanfreluche, Dahlia
Lloyd Hughes20141872-1883not recordedTom Ochiltree, Duke of Magenta
Albert Johnson19711917-1929503American Flag, Crusader, Exterminator
William J. Knapp19691901-1919649Exterminator, Upset
Julie Krone20001981-20043,704Colonial Affair, Halfbridled
Clarence Kummer19721916-1928434Man O' War, Sir Barton
Charles Kurtsinger19671924-1939721War Admiral, Twenty Grand
Johnny Loftus19591909-1919580Man O' War, Sir Barton, George Smith
Johnny Longden19581927-19666,032Count Fleet, Swaps, Busher, Whirlaway
Daniel A. Maher1955turn of 20th century1,771**Ethelbert, Banaster, Lothario
Eddie Maple20091966-19914,398Conquistador Cielo, Alydar, Creme Fraiche
Linus McAtee19561920s & 1930s930Exterminator, Twenty Grand
Chris McCarron19891974-20027,141Alysheba, Lady's Secret, Sunday Silence, Tiznow, Touch Gold
Conn McCreary19751939-19601,263Armed, Count Turf, Devil Diver, Stymie, Twilight Tear
Rigan McKinney19681929-1939352Steeplechasers Green Cheese, Annibal
Jim McLaughlin1955late 1800snot recordedLuke Blackburn, Hindoo, Firenze, Tremont
Walter Miller1955early 1900s1,094Colin, Ballot, Peter Pan
Isaac Murphy1955c.1879-1896530Emperor of Norfolk, Kingston, Firenze, Salvator
Ralph Neves1960c.1930-19633,772Round Table, Native Diver
Joe Notter19631904-1918not recordedRegret, Whisk Broom II, Colin
George Odom1955turn of 20th century527Broomstick, Delhi
Frank O'Neill19561903-c.1920not recordedBeldame, Roseben
Ivan H. Parke19781923-1925419Backbone
Gilbert W. Patrick19701836-1879not recordedBoston, Lexington
Craig Perret20191967-20054,415Bet Twice, Unbridled, Strike the Gold, Alydeed, Pine Bluff
Donald Pierce20101954-19843,546Flying Paster, Quack, Triple Bend
Laffit Pincay Jr.19751966-20039,530Affirmed, John Henry, Genuine Risk, Bayakoa
Vincent Powers20151907-1923654**Wintergreen, Fitz Herbert
Edgar Prado20081986-*7,016+Barbaro, Birdstone, Sarava
Samuel Purdy1970early 1800snot recordedAmerican Eclipse
John Reiff1956turn of 20th century1,016 in EuropeOrby, Tagalie
Alfred Robertson19711927-19431,856Top Flight, Whirlaway
John L. Rotz19831958-19732,907Gallant Bloom, Ta Wee, Carry Back, Dr. Fager, High Echelon
Randy Romero20101973-19994,294Personal Ensign, Go for Wand
Earl Sande19551917-1932968Gallant Fox, Zev, Crusader, Billy Kelly
José A. Santos20071984-20074,083Funny Cide, Lemon Drop Kid, Volponi
Johnny Sellers20071955-19772,797Carry Back, Hail To All, Pia Star
Carroll H. Shilling19701904-1912969Worth
Willie Shoemaker19581949-19908,883Swaps, John Henry, Spectacular Bid, Ack Ack, Gallant Man, Forego
Willie Simms19771887-19011,125Ben Brush, Plaudit, Henry of Navarre
Tod Sloan1955turn of 20th centurynot recordedHamburg, Clifford
Mike E. Smith20031982-*5,480+Zenyatta, Holy Bull, Justify, Skip Away, Songbird
Alfred P. Smithwick19731947-1966398Steeplechasers Neji, Bon Nouvel, Elkridge
Alex Solis20141982-20175,035Snow Chief, Kona Gold, Pleasantly Perfect
Gary Stevens19971979-2005; 2013-20185,177+Beholder, Serena's Song, Silver Charm, Point Given, Winning Colors, Thunder Gulch
James Stout19681930-19542,056Granville, Johnstown, Assault, Omaha, Stymie
Fred Taral1955late 1800s1,437Domino
Bayard Tuckerman Jr.19731910-1954not recordedSteeplechaser Homestead
Ron Turcotte19791961-19783,082Secretariat, Riva Ridge, Northern Dancer, Tom Rolfe
Nash Turner1955turn of 20th centurynot recordedImp
Bobby Ussery19801951-19743,611Proud Clarion, Bally Ache
Ismael Valenzuela20081951-19802,545Kelso, Tim Tam, Forward Pass
Jacinto Vasquez19981959-19965,231Ruffian, Genuine Risk, Foolish Pleasure, Forego, Princess Rooney
Jorge Velasquez19901963-19976,795Alydar, Chris Evert, Davona Dale, Pleasant Colony
John Velazquez20121990-*5,978+Animal Kingdom, Always Dreaming, Ashado, Rags to Riches, Wise Dan
Thomas M. Walsh20051956-19671,475Steeplechasers Bon Nouvel, Bluff, Mako
Jack Westrope20021933-19582,467Stagehand, Parlo
Jimmy Winkfield20041898-19302,500His Eminence, Alan-a-Dale
George Woolf19551928-1946721Seabiscuit, Alsab, Bold Venture
Raymond Workman19561926-19401,169Equipoise
Wayne D. Wright20161931-19491,492Peace Chance, Polynesian, Shut Out
Manuel Ycaza19771956-19712,367Dark Mirage, Quadrangle, Bald Eagle

Source: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Legend:
* Still active
** Wins in North America only

Trainers in the Hall of Fame

Contemporary trainers become eligible for the Hall of Fame after they have been licensed for at least 25 years, and remain eligible until 25 years after retirement. In special circumstances such as fragile health, the 25 year requirement may be waived though there is usually a five-year waiting period after retirement in such cases.
NameYear Awarded
Steve Asmussen2016
Roger L. Attfield2012
Bob Baffert2009
Laz Barrera1979
H. Guy Bedwell1971
Edward D. Brown1984
J. Elliott Burch1980
Preston M. Burch1963
William P. Burch1955
Fred Burlew1973
Matthew Byrnes2011
Frank E. Childs1968
Henry S. Clark1982
W. Burling Cocks1985
James P. Conway1996
Warren A. Croll Jr.1994
Bud Delp2002
Neil Drysdale2000
William B. Duke1956
Janet Elliot2009
Louis Feustel1964
James Fitzsimmons1958
Henry Forrest2007
Robert J. Frankel1995
John M. Gaver Sr.1966
Carl Hanford2006
Thomas J. Healey1955
Samuel C. Hildreth1955
Sonny Hine2003
Maximilian Hirsch1959
William J. Hirsch1982
Thomas Hitchcock1973
Jerry Hollendorfer2011
Hollie Hughes1973
John J. Hyland1956
Hirsch Jacobs1958
H. Allen Jerkens1975
Philip G. Johnson1997
William R. Johnson1986
LeRoy Jolley1987
Benjamin A. Jones1958
Gary F. Jones2014
Horace A. Jones1959
A. Jack Joyner1955
Thomas J. Kelly1993
Lucien Laurin1977
William Lakeland2018
King T. Leatherbury2015
J. Howard Lewis1969
D. Wayne Lukas1999
Horatio Luro1980
John E. Madden1983
James W. Maloney1989
Richard E. Mandella2001
Pancho Martin1981
Frank McCabe2007
Ron McAnally1990
Henry E. McDaniel1956
Claude R. McGaughey III2004
MacKenzie Miller1987
Michael "Buster" Millerick2010
William Molter1960
William I. Mott1998
Winbert F. Mulholland1967
Carl Nafzger2008
Edward A. Neloy1983
John A. Nerud1972
Burley Parke1986
Angel Penna Sr.1988
Jacob Pincus1988
John W. Rogers1955
James G. Rowe Sr.1955
Flint S. Schulhofer1992
Jonathan E. Sheppard1990
Robert A. Smith1976
Tom Smith2001
Daniel Michael Smithwick1971
Woody Stephens1976
Mesh Tenney1991
Herbert J. Thompson1969
Harry Trotsek1984
Jack Van Berg1985
Marion Van Berg1970
John M. Veitch2007
Sylvester Veitch1977
Thomas H. Voss2017
R. Wyndham Walden1970
Michael G. Walsh1997
Sherrill W. Ward1978
Sidney J. Watters Jr.2005
Robert L. Wheeler2012
Frank Y. Whiteley Jr.1978
Charles E. Whittingham1974
Ansel Williamson1998
William C. Winfrey1971
G. Carey Winfrey1975
Nick Zito2005

Presidents

Exemplars of Racing

NameYear Awarded
George D. Widener Jr.1971
Walter M. Jeffords Sr.1973
John W. Hanes1982
Paul Mellon1989
Martha F. Gerry2007

Pillars of the Turf

Established in 2013, the Hall of Fame states that the Pillars of the Turf category honors those "who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level."
NameYear Awarded
Christopher T. Chenery2019
Frank E. Kilroe2019
Gladys Mills Phipps2019
Helen Hay Whitney2019
James E. Bassett III2019
James R. Keene2019
John Hettinger2019
Marylou Whitney2019
Ogden Phipps2019
Richard L. Duchossois2019
Warren Wright Sr.2019
William S. Farish2019
Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin2018
August Belmont2018
W. Cothran "Cot" Campbell2018
Penny Chenery2018
John W. Galbreath2018
Arthur B. Hancock2018
Hal Price Headley2018
John Morrissey2018
Dr. Charles H. Strub2018
William Collins Whitney2018
Harry Payne Whitney2018
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney2018
John R. Gaines2017
Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps2017
Matt Winn2017
Arthur B. Hancock Jr.2016
William Woodward Sr.2016
John Hay Whitney2015
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr.2015
E. P. Taylor2014
Edward R. Bradley2014
August Belmont Jr.2013
Paul Mellon2013

Museum Exhibits

In addition to the Hall of Fame, the museum houses numerous exhibits. These include:
The Museum Collection includes just over 300 paintings. These range from paintings of the early days of racing in England by John E. Ferneley, Sr. to more contemporary champions by Richard Stone Reeves. Featured artists include: William Smithson Broadhead, Vaughn Flannery, Sir Alfred J. Munnings, Frederic Remington, Martin Stainforth, George Stubbs, Henry Stull, Edward Troye and Franklin Brooke Voss. Also on display are Kelso's five Jockey Club Gold Cup trophies and the Triple Crown trophies of Count Fleet.