National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Encyclopedia
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York
, to honor the achievements of American
thoroughbred race horses, jockey
s, and trainers
. Each spring, following the tabulation of the final votes, the announcement of new inductees is usually made during Kentucky Derby
Week in early May.
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 commence with the 2010 candidates will allow the voters to choose multiple candidates from a single Contemporary category, instead of a single candidate from each of the four Contemporary categories.
(Year of induction)
must be licensed for 20 years or have been retired for at least five years.
(Year of induction)
must be licensed and actively involved with Thoroughbred
s for at least 25 years or have been retired for a minimum of five years. No jockeys were in the hall of fame in 2011 due to less votes
(Year of induction)
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
, to honor the achievements of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred race horses, jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
s, and trainers
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. Each spring, following the tabulation of the final votes, the announcement of new inductees is usually made during Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
Week in early May.
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 commence with the 2010 candidates will allow the voters to choose multiple candidates from a single Contemporary category, instead of a single candidate from each of the four Contemporary categories.
Presidents
Presidents of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and term of service:- Cornelius Vanderbilt WhitneyCornelius Vanderbilt WhitneyCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney was an American businessman, film producer, writer, and government official, as well as the owner of a leading stable of thoroughbred racehorses....
- (1950–1953) - Walter M. Jeffords, Sr. - (1953–1960)
- George D. Widener, Jr.George D. Widener, Jr.George Dunton Widener, Jr. was an American businessman and thoroughbred racehorse owner; one of only five people ever designated "Exemplars of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
- (1960–1968) - John W. Hanes - (1968–1970)
- Gerard S. Smith - (1970–1974)
- Charles E. Mather II - (1974–1982)
- Whitney TowerWhitney TowerWhitney Tower was an American journalist reporting on Thoroughbred horse racing and a president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame...
- (1982–1989) - John T. von Stade - (1989–2005)
- Stella F. ThayerStella F. ThayerStella F. Thayer is president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.Thayer, president of Tampa Bay Downs, succeeded John T. von Stade, becoming the museum's ninth president in 2005...
- (since 2005)
Exemplars of Racing
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has named only five people in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing as "Exemplars of Racing." They are:- George D. Widener, Jr.George D. Widener, Jr.George Dunton Widener, Jr. was an American businessman and thoroughbred racehorse owner; one of only five people ever designated "Exemplars of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
(1971) - Walter M. Jeffords (1973)
- John W. Hanes (1982)
- Paul MellonPaul MellonPaul Mellon KBE was an American philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder. He is one of only five people ever designated an "Exemplar of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame...
(1989) - Martha F. GerryMartha F. GerryMartha B. Farish Gerry was an American Thoroughbred racehorse owner named an Exemplar of Racing by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame....
(2007)
Horses in the Hall of Fame
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a horse must have been retired for a minimum of five full calendar years.(Year of induction)
Jockeys in the Hall of Fame
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a jockeyJockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
must be licensed for 20 years or have been retired for at least five years.
(Year of induction)
Trainers in the Hall of Fame
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a trainerHorse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
must be licensed and actively involved with Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s for at least 25 years or have been retired for a minimum of five years. No jockeys were in the hall of fame in 2011 due to less votes
(Year of induction)
United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame
- See: :Category:United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductees (for thoroughbred horse racing horses, jockeys, and trainers who have been inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame)
See also
- Australian Racing Hall of FameAustralian Racing Hall of FameThe Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of FameCanadian Horse Racing Hall of FameThe Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada....
- French Horse Racing Hall of FameFrench Horse Racing Hall of FameThe French Horse Racing Hall of Fame as established by France Galop, the governing authority for Thoroughbred horse races in France. French Horse Racing is a nationally honored sport, as each year thousands gather to observe the races...
- New Zealand Racing Hall of FameNew Zealand Racing Hall of FameThe New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame is an organization created to recognise and honour those whose achievements have enriched the New Zealand Horse racing industry...