The 13 finalists for the Nationwide Museum of Horse Racing’s 2026 Corridor of Fame Poll are comprised of seven racehorses and 6 trainers chosen by the Museum’s Corridor of Fame Nominating Committee. The finalists are racehorses Blind Luck, Recreation on Dude, Groupie Doll, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, Girl Eli, Rags to Riches, and trainers Christoph Clement, Kenneth G. McPeek, Graham Movement, Doug O’Neill, John Sadler, and John Shirreffs.
Corridor of Fame voters can choose as many candidates as they assume should be inducted. All nominees who obtain majority approval from the voting committee will likely be elected to the Corridor of Fame. All finalists wanted to obtain not less than 10 votes from the 15-member nominating committee to be eligible for voting.
Chestnut mare, bred by Fairlawn Farms in Kentucky blind rack (Pollard’s Imaginative and prescient—Fortunate One, by Better of Black) received the 2010 Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Yr-Previous Fillies. Blind Luck, a a number of G1 winner at 2 and three years outdated, was additionally a G1 winner at 4 years outdated. Blind Luck, educated by Corridor of Fame horse Jerry Hollendorfer and owned by Hollendorfer in partnership with Mark DeDomenico, John Carver and Peter Abruzzo, was posted. From 2009 to 2011, his profession report was 22 wins, 12 wins, 7 losses, and a pair of attracts, with prize cash of $3,279,520. She received a complete of 10 graded stakes, together with six Grade 1s within the Kentucky Oaks, Oak Leaf, Hollywood Starlet, Las Virgenes, Alabama and Vainness Handicap. Over the course of his profession, Blind Luck defeated the likes of Havre de Grace (thrice), Life at Ten, Unequalled Bell, Night Jewel, Satan Could Care, and Swap.
Darkish Bay gelding, bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky recreation on dude (Superior Once more – Worldly Pleasure, by The Satan His Do) has received 14 graded stakes, together with eight Grade 1s. He raced from 2010 to 2014, with a report of 16 wins, 7 losses, and 1 loss in 34 begins, and $6,498,893 in prize cash. Recreation On Dude, owned by Joe Torre’s Diamond Pleasure, Ranney Household Belief, Mercedes Secure and Bernie Schappa, was educated by Corridor of Fame horse Bob Baffert. He’s the one horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) thrice, setting a stakes report within the 2014 version by working 1 1/4 miles in 1:58.17. Recreation On Dude received the Goodwood (G1) in 2011 and in addition received the identical race in 2012, which was renamed Superior Once more. In 2013, Recreation On Dude swept the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Traditional, three of California’s most iconic Grade 1 races for outdated horses, changing into solely the second horse to win these three races in a single yr, becoming a member of Corridor of Famer Lavaman.
A chestnut mare bred in Kentucky by Fred and William “Buff” Bradley. groupie doll (Bowman’s Band—Deputy Doll, written by Silver Doll) received back-to-back Eclipse Awards as Champion Feminine Sprinters in 2012 and 2013. That very same yr, she additionally received the Breeders’ Cup Dash. Campaigned by the Bradley household in partnership with Brent Burns and Carl Hurst, Groupie Doll was educated by Buff Bradley all through his profession. After profitable his second Breeders’ Cup, Groupie Doll was bought on the 2013 Keeneland November Combined Sale to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm for $3.1 million. She made two extra begins in Pope colours earlier than retiring. Groupy Doll received 9 graded stakes, together with 4 G1s, with a profession report of 23:12-4-4 and $2,648,850 in prize cash. She raced from 2011 to 2014.
Deer mare bred in Kentucky by Nancy S. Dillman. a haven of grace (St. Liam – Easter Brunette, Carson Metropolis) received the 2011 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Yr and Champion Older Filly. Educated by Anthony Dutrow when she was 2 and three years outdated and later by Larry Jones, Harvard Grace was raised all through her profession at Fox Hill Farms, run by Rick Porter. After ending second in thrilling races within the 2010 Delaware Oaks and Alabama Stakes with the champion Blind Luck, Havre de Grace took his first main occasion win at Cotillion later that yr. (G2) In his 2011 Horse of the Yr marketing campaign, he defeated Blind Luck in Azerbaijan and went on to win G1s in Apple Blossom, Woodward and Beldame. Havre de Grace ran one race as a 5-year-old horse in 2012, profitable the listed New Orleans Women Stakes, and retired with a report of 16 wins, 9 losses, 4 minutes, 2 seconds, and prize cash of $2,586,175.
Laurel gelding bred in Kentucky by Carlos Perez. that cash (Java Gold—Double Dawn, by Slew o’ Gold) received the Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter in 2000. That yr, he set a six-furlong report within the Breeders’ Cup Dash win at Churchill Downs. Campaigned by trainers Bruce Headley, Irwin, Andrew Molasky, and Michael Shinn, Kona Gold raced from 1998 to 2003 with a report of half-hour, 14.7 seconds, and $2,293,384 in prize cash. He set a 5 1/2 furlong monitor report at Santa Anita and received a complete of 10 graded stakes. Kona Gold received a number of editions of the Bing Crosby Handicap, Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap and El Conejo Handicap. Kona Gold made his fifth consecutive look within the Breeders’ Cup Dash.
Darkish deer mare produced in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and Catesby W. Clay. woman eli (Divine Park – Sacré-Coeur, Saint-Ballade-bye) received the 2017 Eclipse Award for Turf Mare Champion. Educated by Chad Brown of Sheep Pond Companions, Girl Eli received her first six begins, together with Grade 1 wins within the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and 2015 Belmont Oaks. A battle with laminitis then stored her out of racing for over a yr. Upon her return in 2016, Girl Eli completed second at Ballston Spa, then received the Flower Bowl (G1) and completed second within the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She completed second at Jenny Wiley in her 2017 debut after which went on to win back-to-back races at Gamely, Diana and Ballston Spa. Girl Eli retired after driving within the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly Turf. Total, she ran a 14:10-3-0 and earned $2,959,800. Girl Eli received a complete of eight graded stakes, together with not less than one Group 1 race, throughout her 4 years on the racetrack.
A chestnut mare bred by Skala Glen Stables in Kentucky. From rags to riches (AP Indy—Higher Than Honor, written by Deputy Minister) received the Eclipse Award for Champion 3-Yr-Previous Filly in 2007, a marketing campaign highlighted by a historic victory within the Belmont Stakes. Educated by Corridor of Famers Todd Pletcher and Michael McCarthy for homeowners Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, Rags to Riches broke the maiden report in his second profession begin at Santa Anita in January 2007. This victory by six horse lengths was the beginning of a five-game profitable streak. His subsequent 4 wins have been all Group 1 wins: Las Bergenes Stakes, Santa Anita Oaks, Kentucky Oaks and Belmont. Rags to Riches received the third jewel of the Triple Crown, beating two-time Horse of the Yr and Corridor of Famer Carlin by a head, changing into the primary filly to win the Triple Crown in 102 years. Rags to Riches stays considered one of solely three fillies to win the Belmont. He completed second in his subsequent race, the Gazelle (G1), however after the race it was found that he had injured his entrance proper leg. He was scheduled to compete within the 4-year-old Rags to Riches, however he re-injured his proper entrance pastern and retired with a report of seven wins, 5 losses, 1 minute, 0 seconds, and $1,342,528 in prize cash.
Clement, who handed away in 2025 on the age of 59, was from Paris, France. In his profession from 1991 to 2025, he received 2,576 races and earned $184.1 million, rating him twelfth all-time. He’s a three-time Eclipse Award winner and coached Gio Ponti, who received his fourth straight G1 on grass in 2009, and 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, who received back-to-back Jockey Membership Gold Awards. Received the Cup in 2014 and 2015. Clement has received 286 graded stakes. His G1 wins embrace a number of editions of Beverly D., Del Mar Oaks, Diana Handicap, Manhattan Handicap, Man O’ Conflict, Turf Mile and Sword Dancer.
Clement started his U.S. profession with a win on the Belmont on October 20, 1991, on his first saddled horse, Spectaculaire. He has educated 22 horses which have earned greater than $1 million. Different G1 winners educated by Clement embrace Discreet Mark, Far Bridge, Forbidden Apple, Goofo, Maura Ranka, Relaxed Gesture, Lusarienne, Voodoo Dancer and Winchester. Clement received the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Pizza Bianca.
McPeak, 63, who was born in Arkansas and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, has received 2,209 races and greater than $145 million in prize cash, rating 18th all-time in a profession that started in 1985. In 2024, he received the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with Mystic Dan and Horse of the Yr Thorped Anna, respectively, changing into his first coach. He’s the primary horse since Corridor of Famer Ben Jones in 1952 to win each races in the identical yr. With the Derby victory, McPeak clinched his profession Triple Crown race. McPeak had beforehand received the 2002 Belmont Stakes with the longshot Sarava (70-1) and the 2020 Preakness Stakes with the profitable mare Swiss Skydiver. Thorped Anna gave McPeek his first Breeders’ Cup win at Distaff, capping off his 2024 marketing campaign.
McPeak has received 133 graded stakes, together with Spinster, Ashland, Bluegrass, Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Alcibiades, Breeders’ Futurity and a number of editions of Alabama on the G1 stage. He has received 5 coaching titles at Keeneland and is ranked No. 1 there. fifth win in complete. McPeak additionally has 4 coaching titles at Churchill Downs and is ranked No. 1 on the earth. 4th win in complete. He has educated 14 horses which have received greater than $1 million in prize cash.
Movement, 61, from Cambridge, England, has received 2,845 races and greater than $165 million in prize cash in a profession that started in 1993, rating him fifteenth all-time. He has received the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup with champion Animal Kingdom, educated two-time Eclipse Award winner Fundamental Sequence, and received 4 Breeders’ Cup races. His first Breeders’ Cup victory got here on the 2004 Turf with 10-time stakes winner Higher Discuss Now (28-1 odds). Movement received the 2010 Filly Turf on a shared account at odds of 46 to 1, then received her second on the identical turf 4 years later with Fundamental Sequence, and received the 2019 Juvenile Fillies Turf on a shared account in her fourth Breeders’ Cup race at odds of 14 to 1.
Movement has received 216 graded stakes, together with a number of editions on the Grade 1 stage of the Delmar Oaks, Manhattan Handicap, Man O’ Conflict, Matriarch, Sword Dancer and United Nations. His G1 wins additionally embrace the Alcibiades, Belmont Derby, Frank E. Kilro Mile, Hollywood Derby, Hollywood Turf Cup, Joe Hershturf Traditional, Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, Queen Elizabeth II Problem Cup, Rodeo Drive, Spinster and Whitney & Wooden Memorial. Movement has been ranked within the high 15 by income amongst North American horse trainers 10 occasions. He has educated 14 horses which have earned greater than $1 million, together with Miss Temple Metropolis, who defeated stallions in each the Shadwell Turf Mile and the Makers 46 Mile. Movement has received coaching titles at Keeneland and Pimlico, and ranks fifth all-time at Keeneland with 39 stakes wins.
O’Neal, a 57-year-old jockey from Dearborn, Michigan, has received 3,068 races and earned greater than $174 million in prize cash, rating 14th all-time in a profession that started in 1988. In 2012, he received the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with I am going to Have One other, and in 2016 he received his second Derby with Nyquist. Mr. O’Neill has educated 5 Eclipse Award winners, together with I am going to Have One other, Maryfield, Nyquist, Stevie Wonderboy and Swords Echo, to 5 Breeders’ Cup races. Together with Corridor of Fame member Lavaman, O’Neal has 9 graded stakes wins, together with three Hollywood Gold Cup begins, two Santa Anita Handicap begins, and one graded race every within the Pacific Traditional and Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap, each of that are Group 1 races. O’Neal has received six coach titles at Del Mar and in 2015 turned the primary coach to win 5 races on the Del Mar card. He additionally has 5 coaching titles at Santa Anita, together with a report 56 wins on the 2006-2007 Winter Conferences.
Mr. O’Neill has educated 15 horses which have earned greater than $1 million and a number of wins in Group 1 races together with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Alcibiades, Pacific Traditional, Entrance Runner, Santa Anita Derby and Triple Bend. Different graded Group 1 wins embrace the Breeders Futurity, Del Mar Futurity, Del Mar Oaks, Don Handicap, Florida Derby, Godolphin Mile, Hopeful, Japan Cup Dust, Malibu Stakes, Metropolitan Handicap, Pennsylvania Derby, Secretariat, Stephen Foster and Vosburgh. Jockey O’Neill has received 148 graded stakes and is No. 1 within the rankings. He ranks third all-time at Santa Anita with 1,237 wins and fourth at Del Mar with 495.
Sadler, 69, of Lengthy Seaside, California, has received 2,907 races and greater than $159 million in prize cash in a profession that started in 1978, rating him seventeenth all-time. Together with 2018 Eclipse Award Winner Speed up and 2022 Horse of the Yr Flightline, he has received 194 main awards, together with the Breeders’ Cup Traditional. He was additionally a coaching champion. Star wind. Sadler has tuned 12 horses which have received greater than $1 million: Speed up, Catapult, Flagstaff, Flightline, Fur Serrano, Laborious Ace, Wholesome Habit, Greater Energy, Iotapa, Stellar Wind, Tremendous Corredora and Swap. He received his third Breeders’ Cup in 2025 with the Juvenile Fillies’ Tremendous Corredora.
On the G1 stage, Sadler has 4 wins in each the Pacific Traditional and Clement L. Hirsch, and three wins every within the Santa Anita Handicap and La Brea. Different Grade 1 races he has received a number of occasions embrace Santa Anita’s Gold Cup, Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Oaks and Vainness Handicap. Sadler has received 4 coaching titles at Hollywood Park and two every at Del Mar and Santa Anita. He received 1,256 wins, which was his second profession win at No. 1 Santa Anita, making him essentially the most wins. 4 wins at 155 stakes. He’s ranked primary in Del Mar. 2nd place in each solo and stakes wins.
Mr. Shirreffs, a local of Leavenworth, Kansas, who died this month at age 80, received 596 races, together with 113 majors, and earned greater than $58,581,916. Though he already had a number of starters in 1978, Shirreffs didn’t prepare them full-time till 1994. Shirreffs, finest generally known as the coach of Corridor of Fame horse Zenyatta, guided the four-time Eclipse Award winner to 19 consecutive wins (together with 13 in Group 1) from 2007 to 2010. In 2010, she was chosen as Horse of the Yr, and since then she has been topped Older Filly Champion yearly. From 2008 to 2010, Zenyatta’s G1 wins embrace the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Women Traditional and the next yr’s Traditional. In 2009, coach Shirreffs additionally received the Women Traditional with Life is Candy, making her the primary coach to win each Classics in the identical yr. Shirreffs received the 2005 Kentucky Derby with Giacomo at odds of 50-1.
On the Grade 1 stage, Shirreffs received each the Santa Margarita Handicap and Vainness Handicap 5 occasions, and each the Girl’s Secret and Santa Anita Derby thrice. and two updates of American Oaks, Apple Blossom, Clement L. Hirsch, Santa Maria. Mr. Shirreff has educated 9 horses, incomes greater than $1 million, together with Baeza, Categorical Practice, Giacomo, Gormley, Hollywood Story, Life is Candy, Manistique, Tiago and Zenyatta.
Voting outcomes for contemporary candidates will likely be introduced on April twenty third. The announcement additionally consists of this yr’s alternatives by the museum’s Historic Overview Committee, Steeplechase Committee, and Turf Pole Committee. The Corridor of Fame induction ceremony will likely be held on Friday, August seventh at 10:30 a.m. ET on the Fasig-Tipton Gross sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, New York. The ceremony is open to the general public and participation is free.
To be eligible for the Corridor of Fame, trainers should have been licensed for 25 years and jockeys have been licensed for 20 years. Thoroughbreds should be retired for 5 calendar years. All candidates should have been energetic inside the previous 25 years. The 20 and 25 yr necessities for jockeys and trainers, respectively, could also be waived on the discretion of the Museum’s Government Committee. Candidates who haven’t been energetic up to now 25 years could qualify via a historical past evaluation course of.
The 2026 Corridor of Fame Nomination Committee is comprised of Chairman Van Cleef, Secretary Cayton Breder, Stephen Crist, Tom Durkin, Bob Ehardt, Tracy Ganz, Teresa Gennaro, Jane Goldstein, Steve Haskin, Jay Hobdy, Alicia Hughes, Dick Gerardi, Tom Roe, Jay Pribman, and Michael Veitch.
