Fame does not come fast, not even for Thoroughbreds who sweep the triple crown at the young age of three. An induction into the Official National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame is something one achieves many years into or even after their outstanding career in horse racing. Friday, finally finalized the fame of a few favorites.
The National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1950 and became fully operational in 1955. It is located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The mission is to acknowledge outstanding horses, jockeys, trainers and people who have stood out in the sport for their important contributions, known as “Pillars of the Turf”.
On 8/3/18 there was an induction ceremony at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in NY to induct the largest new group of members ever. Fifteen members were inducted including 2 horses, 1 trainer and 12 Pillars of the Turf. The inductees are as follows with a few of their achievements:
- Arthur B. Hancock (1875-1957) – founder of Claiborne Farm and historically famed and leading breeder, very involved in professional organizations pertaining to racing
- August Belmont I (1813-1890) -leading owner and breeder, financier and president of Jerome Park, founder of Monmouth Park
- Charles H. Strub (1884-1958) -founder of Santa Anita Park and innovator of track staples like finish-line cameras and electronic timers and electronic starting gates
- Cornelius C.V. Sonny Whitney (1899-1992) -founder and first president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, director at Churchill Downs, owner and breeder of many champions and stakes winners
- Cot Campbell (1927-present)- owner of Dogwood Stable where Palace Malice and Summer Squall were produced and a pioneer for syndicate ownership
- Elias J. Lucky Baldwin (1828-1909) -he is credited with owning and breeding many stakes winners, he owned Hall of Fame thoroughbred, Emperor of Norfolk and he opened the original Santa Anita track.
- Hal Price Headley (1888-1962) – prominent breeder, Keeneland’s first president and very involved in professional organizations including start ups for thoroughbred sales
- Harry Payne Whitney (1872-1930) – long term leading owner, breeder of multiple stakes winners including Hall of Famers, Regret, Top Flight and Whisk Broom II
- Heavenly Prize (1991-2013) – thoroughbred
- John Morrissey (1831-1878) – founder of Saratoga Race Course
- John W. Galbreath (1897-1998) – owner of Darby Dan Farm, outstanding breeder, Aqueduct Race Track builder and renovator of Belmont Park
- Penny Chenery (1922-2017) -owner of Secretariat, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and active in many thoroughbred professional organizations
- Preakness (1867- 1877) – thoroughbred
- William Collins Whitney (1841-1904)- one time owner of Saratoga Race Course and co-founder of Belmont Park, successful owner and breeder
- William Lakeland (1853-1908 ) – jockey turned trainer of Hall of Famers Domino and Hamburg as well as many of the finest horses of his times
Heavenly Prize, a KY bred filly, earned over 1.8 million dollars winning 9 of 18 starts. She broke her maiden in her first race and only competed in listed, black type races and graded stakes in her next 17 starts. She always finished first, second or third. She was an Alabama Stakes winner. In her final start she was third in the Donn Handicap racing with Cigar. As a broodmare she foaled many winners and graded stakes winners. Heavenly Prize won 8 grade I stakes and she was an Eclipse Award winner for 1994 Champion 3 Year Old Filly. She was second twice and third once in Breeders’ Cup races.
Preakness, a KY bred colt, began racing at the age of 3. It is ironic that the Preakness Stakes, a 3 year-old race, is named for him since he wasn’t yet a champion at that age himself but he was a champ at Pimlico. Preakness was 6 before he established himself as a great horse. Preakness won the first ever Dinner Plate Stakes at Pimlico. His trophy is now the official trophy of the Preakness Stakes. He won many great stake races, including the Jockey Club Handicap twice. He completed the Saratoga Cup in a dead heat. He continued to race in America, then in Europe, until the age of 9. In all he won 12 of 18 starts. Retrospectively, he was one of the greatest of his time. He was owned by horse lover Milton Holbrook Sandford but he was unfortunately bought by the Duke of Hamilton,to stand stud. The Duke shot him dead because he was difficult to control. That was a terrible waste for the animal and for the bloodline of a champion and a horse sired by the great, Lexington. The murder of Preakness led to reform and laws for animal rights in England, creating The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
It takes years to be recognized by the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame but the prize is worth the wait. It will still be years before the likes of American Pharoah and Justify are even eligible for consideration, though it’s a safe bet they will someday be inducted. Congratulations to all the new inductees. Thoroughbreds are fast, fame is not. Also, accolades to Raging Bull for winning the grade 2 National Museum Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga on Friday as well.
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