Seven racehorses and 6 trainers can be chosen by the Museum’s Corridor of Fame Nominating Committee among the many 13 finalists who will make up the Nationwide Museum of Horse Racing’s 2026 Corridor of Fame Poll. The finalists are racehorses Blind Luck, Recreation on Dude, Groupie Doll, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, Girl Eli and Rags to Riches. and trainers Christoph Clement, Kenny McPeek, Graham Movement, Doug F. O’Neill, John W. Sadler and John Shirreffs.
Corridor of Fame voters can choose as many candidates as they suppose need to be inducted. All nominees receiving 50% plus one vote (majority approval) from the voting committee can be elected to the Corridor of Fame. All finalists wanted to obtain a minimal of 10 votes from the 15-member nominating committee to be eligible for voting.
Ballots can be emailed as we speak to the 154-person Corridor of Fame voting committee. Voting outcomes for the fashionable candidates can be introduced on Thursday, April twenty third. The announcement additionally consists of this yr’s choices by the museum’s Historic Overview Committee, Steeplechase Committee, and Turf Pole Committee. The Corridor of Fame induction ceremony can 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 qualify for the Corridor of Fame, trainers should wait 25 years after getting their license, and jockeys have to attend 20 years since they bought their license. Thoroughbreds have to be retired for 5 calendar years. All candidates will need to have been energetic throughout 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 prior to now 25 years could qualify by way of a historical past overview course of.
blind rack
Blind Luck (Pollard’s Imaginative and prescient – Fortunate One, Better of Luck), a maroon mare produced by Fairlawn Farm in Kentucky, gained the 2010 Eclipse Award for Champion 3-12 months-Previous Filly. A a number of G1 winner as a 2-year-old and 3-year-old, Blind Luck was additionally a G1 winner as a 4-year-old. Educated by Corridor of Fame horse Jerry Hollendorfer and co-owned by Hollendorfer. Blind Luck, together with Mark DeDomenico LLC, John Carver and Peter Abruzzo, amassed a profession file of 12 wins, 7 losses, and a pair of attracts from 2009 to 2011 and a profession winnings of $3,279,520. She gained a complete of 10 graded stakes, together with six G1s: Kentucky Oaks, Oak Leaf, Hollywood Starlet, Las Virgenes, Alabama and Self-importance. Handicap. Over the course of his profession, Blind Luck has defeated the likes of Havre de Grace (thrice), Life at Ten, Unequalled Bell, Night Jewel, Satan Could Care, and Change.
recreation on dude
Recreation on Dude (out of Superior Once more – Worldly Pleasure, Satan His Due), a darkish bay gelding bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, has gained 14 graded stakes, together with eight Group 1s. He raced from 2010 to 2014, with a file of 16 wins, 7 losses, and 1 attract 34 races, and earnings of $6,498,893. Recreation On Dude, owned by Joe Torre’s Diamond Pleasure LLC, Lunney Household Belief, Mercedes Secure LLC and Bernie Schappa, was educated by Corridor of Famer Bob Baffert. He’s the one horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap thrice (2011, 2013, 2014) and set a stakes file within the 2014 version by operating 1⁄4 mile in 1:58.17. Recreation On Dude additionally gained the Hollywood Gold Cup and the San Antonio Stakes twice every, in addition to single wins within the Pacific Basic, Californian, Charles City Basic, Lone Star Derby and Native Diver. He gained the Grade 1 Goodwood in 2011 and likewise gained the identical race, which was renamed Superior Once more, in 2012. In 2013, Recreation On Dude dominated the Santa Anita Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Pacific Basic, all of California’s main Grade 1 races for older horses, changing into solely the second horse to win these three races in the identical yr, becoming a member of Corridor of Famer Lavaman.
groupie doll
Groupie Doll (Bowman’s Band, by Silver Doll), a chestnut mare bred in Kentucky by Fred and William “Buff” Bradley, was named Eclipse Champion Feminine Sprinter in 2012 and 2013. That very same yr, she gained back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Filly Sprints. 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 successful his second Breeders’ Cup, Groupie Doll was despatched to the 2013 Keeneland November Stallion Sale and offered to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm for $3.1 million. She made two extra begins in Pope colours earlier than retiring. Groupy Doll gained 9 main prizes, together with 4 Grade 1s, and had a profession file of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 4 attracts in 23 races, and earned $2,648,850 in prize cash. She raced from 2011 to 2014.
a haven of grace
Harbor de Grace (Saint Liam, Easter Brunette, Carson Metropolis), a deer mare bred in Kentucky by Nancy S. Dillman, was named Eclipse Horse of the 12 months and Older Mare Champion in 2011. Educated by Tony Dutrow when he was 2 and three years previous and later by Larry Jones, Havre de Grace was raised all through his profession at Fox Hill Farms, run by Rick Porter. After ending second to champion Blind Luck in thrilling races within the 2010 Delaware Oaks and Alabama Stakes, Havre de Glace earned his first graded victory within the G2 Cotillion later that yr. In his 2011 Horse of the 12 months marketing campaign, he defeated Blind Luck in Azerbaijan and gained Grade 1s with Apple Blossom, Woodward (defeating stallions together with Flat Out) and Beldam (defeating Corridor of Famer Royal Delta). Havre de Grace ran one race as a 5-year-old horse in 2012 and gained the listed New Orleans Girls Stakes, earlier than retiring with a file of 9 wins, 4 losses, and a pair of attracts in 16 races, and a handbag of $2,586,175.
that cash
Kona Gold (by Through O’ Gold, Java Gold—Double Dawn), a bay gelding bred in Kentucky by Carlos Perez, gained the Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter in 2000. That yr, he set a six-furlong file by successful the Breeders’ Cup Dash at Churchill Downs. Campaigned by Bruce Headley (who additionally served as coach), Irwin, Andrew Molasky and Michael Singh, Kona Gold raced from 1998 to 2003, with a file of 14 wins, 7 losses, and a pair of attracts in 30 races, incomes $2,293,384 in prize cash. He set a five-furlong file at Santa Anita and gained a complete of 10 graded stakes. Kona Gold gained a number of editions of the Bing Crosby Handicap, Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap and El Conejo Handicap. He posted Beyer pace numbers of 110 or larger 17 occasions. Kona Gold posted Beyer numbers of 115 or larger 10 occasions, together with a career-best 123. Kona Gold made his fifth consecutive look within the Breeders’ Cup Dash.
woman eli
Girl Eli (Divine Park, Sacré Coeur, close to St. Ballard), a darkish bay mare bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm and Catesby W. Clay, gained the 2017 Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Mare. Educated by Chad Brown of Sheep Pond Companions, Girl Eli gained 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 saved her out of racing for over a yr. Upon her return in 2016, Girl Eli completed second at Ballston Spa, then gained the G1 Flower Bowl and completed second within the Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares 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 using within the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly Turf. General, she posted a 10-3-0 file in 14 begins and earned $2,959,800. Girl Eli gained a complete of eight graded stakes, together with at the least one Group 1 race, throughout her 4 years on the racetrack.
From rags to riches
Rags to Riches (AP Indie Higher Than Honor, Deputy Minister), a maroon mare from Scarra Glen Stables in Kentucky, gained the Eclipse Award for Champion 3-12 months-Previous Filly in 2007, a marketing campaign highlighted by an 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 file in his second profession begin at Santa Anita in January 2007. This victory by six horse lengths was the beginning of a five-game successful streak. His subsequent 4 wins had been all Group 1 wins: the Las Bergenes Stakes, the Santa Anita Oaks (by 5 1/2 lengths), the Kentucky Oaks (by 4 1/4 lengths), and the Belmont. Successful the third jewel of the Triple Crown, Rags to Riches turned the primary filly in 102 years to win the Triple Crown, beating two-time Horse of the 12 months and Corridor of Famer Curlin by a head. Rags to Riches stays one among solely three fillies to win the Belmont. He completed second in his subsequent race, the G1 Gazelle, however after the race it was found that he had injured his entrance proper leg. He was scheduled to play in Rags to Riches for his 4-year-old season, however as a result of a reinjury to his proper entrance pastern, he retired with a file of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 0 losses in 7 video games, and $1,342,528 in prize cash.
Christophe Clement
Clement, who handed away in 2025 on the age of 59, was born in Paris, France. He gained 2,576 races in his profession from 1991 to 2025 and earned $184,127,449 million (twelfth all-time). He additionally coached three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, who gained his fourth straight G1 on grass in 2009, and 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist. Received the Jockey Membership Gold Cup in 2014 and 2015. Clement has gained 286 graded stakes. His Grade 1 wins embrace a number of wins on the Beverly D. (2001, 2007, 2008), the Del Mar Oaks (2007, 2013), the Diana Handicap (2003, 2015), the Manhattan Handicap (2001, 2009, 2010), the Man O’ Battle (2009, 2010) and the Turf Mile. ” (2010, 2011), “Sword Dancer” (1999, 2011, 2021, 2022, 2024), and so on.
Clement started his U.S. profession with a win on the Belmont on October 20, 1991, on his first saddled horse, Spectaculaire. He educated 22 horses and 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 gained the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Pizza Bianca.
kenny mcpeak
McPeak, 63, who was born in Arkansas and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, has gained 2,209 races and greater than $145 million in prize cash (18th all-time) in a profession that started in 1985. In 2024, he gained each the Kentucky Derby with Mystic Dan and the Kentucky Oaks with Soaped Anna, changing into the primary coach to win each races. McPeak had beforehand gained the 2002 Belmont Stakes with the lengthy shot Sarava at 70-1 and the 2020 Preakness Stakes with the champion mare Swiss Skydiver, so the Derby win sweeps the Triple Crown races. Thorped Anna gave McPeek his first Breeders’ Cup win at Distaff, capping off his 2024 marketing campaign.
McPeak has competed in Spinster (2002, 2003), Ashland (2002, 2014, 2023), Bluegrass (2002, 2013), Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Handicap (2004, 2005), Alcibiades (2008, 2018, 2020), Breeders Futurity (2009, 2021), Alabama (2018, 2020). He has gained 5 coaching titles at Keeneland and ranks fifth all-time in wins (276). McPeak additionally gained 4 coaching titles at Churchill Downs, rating him fourth all-time in wins (593). He has educated 14 horses which have gained greater than $1 million in prize cash.
graham movement
Movement, 61, from Cambridge, England, has gained 2,845 races and greater than $165 million in prize cash (fifteenth all-time) in a profession that started in 1993. He has gained the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup with champion Animal Kingdom, educated two-time Eclipse Award winner Major Sequence, and gained 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 gained the 2010 filly Turf on a shared account at odds of 46-1, adopted that up together with her second win on the identical turf 4 years later with Major Sequence, and gained the 2019 Juvenile Fillies Turf, her fourth Breeders’ Cup race on a shared account, at odds of 14-1.
Movement is the Delmar Oaks (2011, 2022), Manhattan Handicap (2007, 2017, 2018), Man O’ Battle (2005, 2022), Matriarch (2010, 2016), Sword Dancer (2004, 2014), United Nations (2005, 2014). His G1 wins embrace Alcibiades (2016), Belmont Derby (2024), Frank E. Kilromile (2015), Hollywood Derby (2022), and Hollywood Turf Cup (2011). ), Joe Hersh Turf Basic (2014), Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (2026), Queen Elizabeth II Problem Cup (2003) and Rodeo Drive. (2015), Spinster (2011), Whitney (2009), Wooden Memorial (2011). Movement has been ranked within the prime 15 by income amongst North American horse trainers 10 occasions. He has educated 14 horses which have gained greater than $1 million, together with Miss Temple Metropolis, who beat stallions in each the Shadwell Turf Mile and the Makers 46 Mile. Movement has gained coaching titles at Keeneland and Pimlico, and ranks fifth all-time at Keeneland with 39 stakes wins.
Doug O’Neill
O’Neal, a 57-year-old jockey from Dearborn, Michigan, has gained 3,068 races in a profession that started in 1988 and has purse earnings of greater than $174 million (14th all-time). In 2012, he gained the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with I am going to Have One other, and in 2016 he gained 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. O’Neal has gained 9 graded stakes with Corridor of Fame horse Lavaman, together with three Hollywood Gold Cups (2005, 2006, 2007), two Santa Anita Handicap (2006, 2007), and one graded race every within the Pacific Basic (2006) and Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (2006), all of that are Group 1 races. O’Neal has gained 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 file 56 wins on the 2006-2007 Winter Conferences.
Mr. O’Neal has competed within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (2005, 2015), Alcibiades (2010, 2015), Pacific Basic (2006, 2024), Entrance Runner (2013, 2015), Santa Anita Derby (2012, 2013), Triple Bend (2004, 2017), and extra. Different Grade/Group 1 wins embrace Breeders Futurity (2006), Del Mar Futurity (2015), Del Mar Oaks (2015), Don Handicap (2008), Florida Derby (2016), Godolphin Mile (2007), Hopeful (2015), Japan Cup Filth (2003), Malibu S. (2024), Metropolitan Handicap (2025), Pennsylvania Derby (2021), Secretariat (2007), Stephen Foster (2018), Vosburgh (2013). O’Neal has 148 graded stakes wins, rating third all-time at Santa Anita with 1,237 wins and fourth at Del Mar with 495 wins.
John Sadler
Sadler, 69, of Lengthy Seaside, Calif., gained 2,907 races and greater than $159 million in prize cash (seventeenth all-time) in a profession that started in 1978. He has gained 194 graded stakes, together with the 2018 Eclipse Award winner Speed up and the 2022 Horse of the 12 months Flight Line’s Breeders’ Cup Basic. He additionally educated Champion Stella. wind. Sadler has tuned 12 horses which have gained greater than $1 million: Speed up, Catapult, Flagstaff, Flightline, Fur Serrano, Arduous Ace, Wholesome Dependancy, Larger Energy, Iotapa, Stellar Wind, Tremendous Corredora and Change. He gained his third Breeders’ Cup in 2025 with the Juvenile Fillies’ Tremendous Corredora.
On the Grade 1 stage, Sadler has gained each the Pacific Basic (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) and the Clement L. Hirsch (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019) 4 occasions, and has additionally began within the Santa Anita Handicap (2018, 2019, 2020) and La Brea thrice every. (2007, 2009, 2010). Different Grade 1 races he has gained a number of occasions embrace Santa Anita’s Gold Cup (2015, 2018), Santa Anita Derby (2010, 2021), Santa Anita Oaks (2010, 2015), and Self-importance Handicap (2004, 2014). Sadler has gained 4 coaching titles at Hollywood Park and two every at Del Mar and Santa Anita. He ranks second all-time in wins at Santa Anita with 1,256 wins, and fourth in stakes wins with 155 wins. At Del Mar, he ranks second in each wins (566) and stakes wins (86).
John Shirreffs
Shirreffs, a Leavenworth, Kansas, native who handed away earlier this month at age 80, gained 596 races, together with 113 majors, and earned greater than $58,581,916. Though he already had a couple of starters in 1978, Shirreffs didn’t practice them full-time till 1994. Shirreffs, finest often called the coach of Corridor of Fame horse Zenyatta, guided the four-time Eclipse Award winner to 19 consecutive wins (together with 13 Group 1 wins) from 2007 to 2010. In 2010, she was chosen as Horse of the 12 months, and since then she has been topped Older Filly Champion yearly. From 2008 to 2010, Zenyatta’s G1 wins embrace the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Girls Basic and the next yr’s Basic. In 2009, coach Shirreffs additionally gained the Girls Basic with Life is Candy, making her the primary coach to win each Classics in the identical yr. Shirreffs gained the 2005 Kentucky Derby with Giacomo at odds of 50-1.
On the Grade 1 stage, Shirreffs gained each the Santa Margarita Handicap (1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010) and the Self-importance Handicap (1999, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) 5 occasions. Three runs in each the Girl’s Secret (2008, 2009, 2010) and the Santa Anita Derby (2007, 2017, 2020). Two updates: American Oaks (2010, 2011), Apple Blossom (2008, 2010), Clement L. Hirsch (2009, 2010), and Santa Maria (2000, 2003). Mr. Shirreff has educated 9 horses, incomes greater than $1 million, together with Baeza, Categorical Prepare, Giacomo, Gormley, Hollywood Story, Life is Candy, Manistique, Tiago and Zenyatta.
The 2026 Corridor of Fame Nominating 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 Hobday, Alicia Hughes, Dick Gerardi, Tom Roe, Jay Pribman, and Michael Veatch.
