News

Preakness 151 Watch Party set for May 16 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will celebrate the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16, with a special watch party at the Museum. This free event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing announces 2026 Hall of Fame class

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Eleven new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In the Contemporary Category, racehorse Kona Gold (KY) and the late trainers Christophe Clement and John A. Shirreffs earned the requisite votes from the nationwide voting panel for election. In the Historic Review Category, racehorses Gulch (KY) and Mongo (VA) and the late trainer David A. Whiteley were chosen by a committee vote. In the Pillars of the Turf Category, the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah, Dr. Robert Copelan, Seth W. Hancock, G. Watts Humphrey, Jr., and the late Joseph E. Widener received the necessary support from the selection committee. The 2026 Hall of Fame Class will be enshrined at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, at Fasig-Tipton’s Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event will be aired live on the Museum website at racingmuseum.org. It is open to the public and free to attend. Renowned broadcaster Charlsie Cantey will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame partners with Holiday Inn and Saratoga Springs History Museum for “Bridles and Bootleggers: When the Mob Owned the Spa City — the 2026 Trifecta Tour” on May 21

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is proud to partner with the Holiday Inn and the Saratoga Springs History Museum to present “Bridles and Bootleggers: When the Mob Owned the Spa City — The 2026 Trifecta Tour” on May 21. Focusing on the cultural and thoroughbred racing scenes during the era of gangsters and prohibition in Saratoga Springs during the 1920s, this tour will feature expert historians presenting about this pivotal decade in the city’s history in fun and unique settings at each venue. Transportation between the venues is included and guests will enjoy snacks and drinks at each stop.

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announces 2026 farm tour series, Rood & Riddle tours, presented by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with seven regional farms and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours this year from May through October. The Museum is pleased to offer these tours at no cost to our guests, thanks to the support of the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund.

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announces spring handicapping series

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present a series of three handicapping seminars leading up to the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2. Hosted by renowned handicapper Tom Amello, the series will take place at the Museum on the following dates:

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Belmont Bash honorary committee tickets now available

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Honorary Committee tickets for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s 2026 Belmont Bash are now available. The event takes place at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park on Thursday, June 4, at 7 p.m. This Museum fundraiser will include an open bar featuring specialty cocktails, a buffet-style dinner catered by Mazzone Hospitality, entertainment from Garland Nelson and Soul Session, and an exclusive silent auction.

Official Logo 334x334.png

Tickets on sale for Kentucky Derby party on May 2

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Tickets are now on sale for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s 10th annual Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 2. Join us from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a spectacular Derby-themed fundraiser featuring delicious samplings of local brews and spirits, as well as signature bites from local restaurants. While exploring the Museum and its exhibits, guests will enjoy entertainment in the prestigious Hall of Fame before a live airing of the Kentucky Derby.

 

Official Logo 334x334.png

National Museum of Racing announces 2026 Hall of Fame finalists

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Seven racehorses and six trainers account for the 13 finalists that will comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2026 Hall of Fame ballot, as chosen by the Museum’s Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The finalists are racehorses Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Groupie Doll, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, Lady Eli, and Rags to Riches; and trainers Christophe Clement, Kenneth G. McPeek, H. Graham Motion, Doug F. O’Neill, John W. Sadler, and John A. Shirreffs.

National Museum of Racing announces updates to Hall of Fame voting panel and procedures

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Following a thorough review of its contemporary Hall of Fame voting panel and a comprehensive evaluation of the overall nominating and election process, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has made the following updates prior to the 2026 election cycle:

Official Logo 334x334.png

Win, Place, Show: The Annual Student Art Exhibition, presented by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, opens Feb. 14

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Win, Place, Show: The Annual Student Art Exhibition, presented by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, will open to the public in the Museum’s von Stade Gallery on Feb. 14. The exhibition, which will feature more than 60 works of art from Capital Region students in grades 3-7, will run through March 15.

Pages

What it Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame

/exhibits/hall-fame

Current Special Exhibitions

/exhibits#special

Racing History Blog

/about/blog
Gift Shop

Check out the Museum Gift Shop!

https://racingmuseum.mybigcommerce.com/
Become A Museum Member
Become A Member