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, jockeys, 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.

Presidents of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and term of service:

• Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney - (1950-1953)

• Walter M. Jeffords, Sr. - (1953-1960)

• George D. Widener, Jr. - (1960-1968)

• John W. Hanes - (1968-1970)

• Gerard S. Smith - (1970-1974)

• Charles E. Mather II - (1974-1982)

• Whitney Tower - (1982-1989)

• John T. von Stade - (1989-2005)

• Stella F. Thayer - (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. (1971)

• Walter M. Jeffords (1973)

• John W. Hanes (1982)

• Paul Mellon (1989)

• Martha F. Gerry (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 jockey 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 trainer must be licensed and actively involved with Thoroughbreds for at least 25 years or have been retired for a minimum of five years.

(Year of induction)

See also

• Australian Racing Hall of Fame

• British Horseracing Hall of Fame

• Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

• New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame

• French Horse Racing Hall of Fame