News

Belmont Stakes Racing Festival events at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will open two new special exhibitions and host several public events coinciding with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 4-8.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame partners with Saratoga Arms Hotel and Saratoga Springs History Museum for “Saratoga Springs: An Era of Change — The 2025 Trifecta Tour” on May 22

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with Saratoga Arms Hotel and the Saratoga Springs History Museum to present “Saratoga Springs: An Era of Change — The 2025 Trifecta Tour” on May 22. Focusing on the thoroughbred racing and social scene in Saratoga during the 1950s, 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.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame to celebrate Preakness Stakes on May 17

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will celebrate the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17 with a pair of special events at the Museum. Kicking things off will be a family-friendly Preakness Puzzle Party, presented by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which is free for children and their chaperones. The racing action from Pimlico will take center stage at the Museum’s Preakness Party, presented by The Hideaway, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the party include food and beverage and a live airing of the second leg of the Triple Crown in the Hall of Fame.

National Museum of Racing announces 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Seven new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Racehorse Smarty Jones (PA), a finalist for the first time, is the lone selection in the contemporary category; racehorses Decathlon (KY) and Hermis (KY) and trainer George H. Conway have been chosen by the 1900-1959 Historic Review Committee; and Edward L. Bowen, Arthur B. Hancock III, and Richard Ten Broeck have been elected by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. In the contemporary category, Smarty Jones was the lone candidate to appear on the majority of ballots submitted (50 percent plus one vote is required for election). A total of 157 voters (90.2 percent) participated from the 171 eligible to cast ballots in the election. The candidates in the Historic Review and Pillars of the Turf categories were required to receive 75 percent approval from the respective committees to earn election.

Supply drive to assist BEST taking place at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame from April 16 through July 15

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — After the overwhelming support for the two-week Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) Supply Drive in 2024, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will again be accepting donations for three months this spring, beginning April 16 and going through July 15. Donations are accepted in person at the Museum during regular business hours. Anyone who donates an item will receive a pass for free Museum admission plus a guest. All donations go directly to the backstretch workers.

Tickets are now on sale for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s annual Kentucky Derby Party on May 3

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Tickets are now on sale for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s annual Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 3. 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 2025 running of the Kentucky Derby.

Derby Day of Discovery, presented by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and Kentucky Derby Preview Panel set for April 26 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will play host to a pair of special events on Saturday, April 26 associated with the upcoming Kentucky Derby. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Museum’s education department will present a Derby Day of Discovery program in the Museum’s HorsePlay! Gallery, which is sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. At 12 p.m., the Museum will hold its annual Kentucky Derby Preview Panel in the Hall of Fame. Admission to both events is free.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announces 2025 farm tour series, Rood & Riddle tours

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with seven regional farms and Rood & Riddle for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours this year from April through October. The Museum’s tour series kicks off Saturday, April 12, at Sugar Plum Farm. Other tours include Mill Creek Farm (May 10), Greentree Stables (June 14), McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds (July 12), North Country Farm (Aug. 17), Old Tavern Farm (Sept. 13), and Song Hill Thoroughbreds (Oct. 11). Additionally, there will be three opportunities to visit the Saratoga location of Rood & Riddle equine hospital (June 24, July 22, Aug. 26). 

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame celebrating 75th anniversary throughout 2025

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its 1950 founding with numerous special exhibitions, a variety of signature events, and expanded programming throughout 2025.

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National Museum of Racing announces 2025 Hall of Fame finalists

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Eight racehorses, seven trainers, and one jockey account for the 16 finalists that will comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2025 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, Rags to Riches, and Smarty Jones; trainers Christophe Clement, Kiaran P. McLaughlin, Kenneth G. McPeek, H. Graham Motion, Doug F. O’Neill, John W. Sadler, and John A. Shirreffs; and jockey Jorge F. Chavez. Groupie Doll, Smarty Jones, and McPeek are each a finalist for the first time.

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