About the Nonprofit
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The mission of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the history of thoroughbred racing in America and honor the sport’s most accomplished participants in the Official National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American Thoroughbred racehorses, jockeys, and trainers. In 1955, inductions into the hall of fame began. Each spring, following the tabulation of the final votes, the announcement of new inductees is made, usually during Kentucky Derby Week in early May. The Museum also houses a large collection of art, artifacts, and memorabilia that document the history of horse racing from the eighteenth century to the present. A tour through the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame sets you on an incredible journey through the sport’s history, from colonial times through the present day. Surrounded by incredible works of fine art, trophies, and historical artifacts, visitors experience all aspects of this thrilling sport, from its most iconic moments and pageantry to what happens behind the scenes during a day at the races. The Museum’s signature film, What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame is a 16-minute immersive experience that brings viewers on an amazing journey through the sport and examines the rare honor — given to less than one percent its participants — of reaching the game’s pinnacle and earning a coveted spot in the Hall of Fame. The cutting-edge film conveys the exhilaration of the sport of thoroughbred racing in America, the passion behind the heritage of the game, and the thrill of exploring the stories of “what it takes” to be among the greatest of the greats in the Hall of Fame. The Museum is open to the public and also works closely with schools with education programs, tours, and outreach programs.
