Hall of Fame Nomination and Election Procedures
CONTEMPORARY ELECTION
Criteria for Eligibility
Contemporary Thoroughbreds
Thoroughbreds become eligible when five calendar years have elapsed between their final racing year and their year of nomination. Thoroughbreds remain eligible between five and 25 calendar years following their final racing year. Thoroughbreds retired for more than 25 calendar years become eligible through the Historic Review Committee.
Contemporary Jockeys
Jockeys become eligible after 20 years as a licensed thoroughbred rider. Jockeys remain eligible until 25 years following their retirement. Jockeys retired for more than 25 years become eligible through the Historic Review Committee.
Contemporary Trainers
Trainers become eligible after 25 years as licensed thoroughbred trainers. Trainers remain eligible until 25 years following their retirement. Trainers retired for more than 25 years become eligible through the Historic Review Committee.
Special Circumstances
The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived, but a five-year waiting period is then observed before they become eligible. In cases of fragile health, or special circumstances, the five-year waiting period may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Candidate Nominations
All voters and the public may submit candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee. Unsuccessful candidates who appeared on the final ballot the previous three years shall automatically be added to the initial list of candidates. The Museum staff will confirm the eligibility of each candidate and prepare biographies on all candidates to submit to the Nominating Committee.
Members of the Nominating Committee will then vote for candidates they judge worthy of consideration by the Voting Panel. The Museum staff will prepare biographies on all candidates approved by the Nominating Committee for inclusion on the final ballot.
All candidates receiving two-thirds approval of the Nominating Committee will be presented to the Voting Panel for their consideration. Members of the Voting Panel will receive a biography on each candidate approved by the Nominating Committee. The voting panel will then vote for as many candidates as they deem worthy of election to the Hall of Fame. Majority approval (50 percent plus one vote) from the Voting Panel is required to gain election. All candidates receiving majority approval will be elected. Write-in votes will not be considered.
To submit a nomination, please contact Brien Bouyea at (518) 584-0400 ext. 133 or bbouyea@racingmuseum.net
Method of Election
1. Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee consists of no fewer than 12 members appointed annually by the Museum President. The duty of the Nominating Committee shall be to prepare a ballot comprised of as many or as few candidates that receive two-thirds support of the committee members to present to the Voting Panel for consideration.
2. Voting Panel
The Voting Panel for induction into the Hall of Fame comprises active or former racing writers, editors, broadcasters, historians, and commentators of the sport of thoroughbred racing. Members of the Voting Panel are invited to participate annually. The duty of the Panel shall be to submit candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee and to cast votes to elect the candidates to the Hall of Fame. Individuals interested in becoming a Hall of Fame voter (racing media, executives, historians, etc.) should email Brien Bouyea at bbouyea@racingmuseum.net and detail their qualifications to be considered for inclusion on the Voting Panel.
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HISTORIC REVIEW
Criteria for Eligibility
* Horses must be retired for 25 years to be eligible.
* Jockeys become eligible when retired for more than 25 years after completing 20 years as a licensed thoroughbred rider.
* Trainers become eligible when retired for more than 25 years after completing 25 years as a licensed trainer.
Special Circumstances
The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Method of Election
The Historic Review Committee meets annually. Specialized committees will meet in a cycle to examine specific eras of racing history beginning in 2024 with a Pre-1900 Committee. In 2025, the committee will review the years 1900 through 1959. In 2026, the years 1660 through 2000 will be reviewed.
Each of the three Historic Review Committees will be comprised of eight members appointed by the Museum President. The duty of the Historic Review Committees shall be to gather nominations, select as many as three finalists, and issue a final ballot to be voted upon.
Nominating and Election Process
The public and members of the Historic Review Committees may submit candidates for consideration. Any horse, jockey or trainer nominated in the Contemporary category who was ineligible because they were retired for 25 years will be submitted to the appropriate Historic Review Committee. Those who submit nominations are asked to supply supporting information.
A nominating ballot will be prepared and members of the Historic Review Committee will select three finalists, regardless of category, for a final vote. Candidates receiving 75 percent approval of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the Hall of Fame.
To submit a nomination, please contact Brien Bouyea at (518) 584-0400 ext. 133 or bbouyea@racingmuseum.net
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STEEPLECHASE
Criteria for Eligibility
*Thoroughbreds become eligible when five calendar years have elapsed between their final racing year and their year of nomination.
*Jockeys become eligible after 20 years as a licensed thoroughbred rider.
*Trainers become eligible after 25 years as a licensed thoroughbred trainer.
Special Circumstances
The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived, but a five-year waiting period is then observed before they become eligible. In cases of fragile health, or special circumstances, the five-year waiting period may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Method of Election
The Steeplechase Review Committee members are appointed by the Museum President. The Committee has the option to meet annually. The duty of the Steeplechase Committee shall be to gather nominations, select as many as three finalists, and issue a final ballot to be voted upon.
Nominating and Election Process
The public and members of the Steeplechase Review Committee may submit candidates for consideration. Those who submit nominations are asked to supply supporting information. A nominating ballot will be prepared and members of the Steeplechase Review Committee will select three finalists, regardless of category, for a final vote. Candidates receiving 75 percent approval of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the Hall of Fame.
To submit a nomination, please contact Brien Bouyea at (518) 584-0400 ext. 133 or bbouyea@racingmuseum.net
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PILLARS OF THE TURF
Criteria for Eligibility
The Pillars of the Turf category is designated to honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level. Candidates must be deemed to have represented the sport with indisputable standards of integrity and commitment through disciplines including, but not limited to, innovation, philanthropy, promotion and education, and breeding and ownership. In general, candidates will be expected to have a minimum of 25 years participation in thoroughbred racing to be considered for Pillars of the Turf. However, the selection committee would be given the power of discretion to waive this guideline if such action was merited.
Method of Election
The Pillars of the Turf Review Committee consists of no fewer than 12 members appointed by the Museum President. The Committee shall meet annually. The duty of the Pillars of the Turf Review Committee shall be to gather nominations, select three finalists and issue a final ballot to be voted upon.
Nominating and Election Process
The public and members of the Pillars of the Turf Review Committee may submit candidates for consideration. Those who submit nominations are asked to supply supporting information. A nominating ballot will be prepared and members of the Pillars of the Turf Review Committee will select three finalists for a final vote. Candidates receiving 75 percent approval of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the Hall of Fame.
To submit a nomination, please contact Brien Bouyea at (518) 584-0400 ext. 133 or bbouyea@racingmuseum.net
