The National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 1 mile on the turf exclusively for 3-year-olds, it is one of the most prestigious junior turf mile races in America and a key stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Mile for the sophomore division. The race was inaugurated on August 17, 1985 as the Gallant Man Stakes in honor of the Hall of Fame horse Gallant Man, who lost the 1957 Kentucky Derby by a nose when jockey Bill Shoemaker misjudged the finish line but rebounded to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The race was renamed in 1992 to honor the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, located on Union Avenue directly across the street from Saratoga Race Course. The induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame's newest members is traditionally held during the Saratoga meet alongside the running of this race. Upgraded to Grade II in 1992, the race produced two future American Horse of the Year winners in Bricks and Mortar (2017) and served as the launching pad for champions including Artie Schiller (2004 Breeders' Cup Mile), Big Blue Kitten (2015 Champion Male Turf), and Carl Spackler (2023). Chad Brown holds the all-time trainer record with seven wins including five consecutive editions from 2015 to 2021. Jerry Bailey holds the all-time jockey record with seven wins. The stakes record of 1:33.72 was set by Casa Creed in 2019.
The 2026 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes is scheduled for Friday, August 7 at Saratoga Race Course, the same day as the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the National Museum of Racing on Union Avenue. Contested at 1 mile on the turf with a purse of $400,000, the race draws the top 3-year-old turf milers in the country targeting the Breeders' Cup Mile in November.
The 2025 running produced one of the most dramatic stewards' decisions in recent Saratoga history. Luther (GB) was awarded the victory following the disqualification of Zulu Kingdom, who crossed the wire first but was placed fourth for interference entering the first turn. Joel Rosario guided Luther home for trainer Charlie Fellowes and owners Paul Hickman and Nicholas Jones in 1:35.06. Neat gave trainer Rob Atras and jockey Junior Alvarado a 2024 score in 1:36.38 for Red White and Blue Racing. Carl Spackler (IRE) gave trainer Chad Brown a seventh Hall of Fame title in 2023 under Tyler Gaffalione in 1:36.29 for e Five Racing, before going on to win the Kelso Stakes and Fourstardave later that summer. Ready to Purrform gave trainer Brad Cox and jockey Joel Rosario a 2022 win in 1:33.99 for Donegal Racing. Public Sector gave Brown his fifth consecutive Hall of Fame win in 2021 under Flavien Prat in 1:35.03 for Klaravich Stables.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Luther (GB)* | Joel Rosario | 1:35.06 |
| 2024 | Neat | Junior Alvarado | 1:36.38 |
| 2023 | Carl Spackler (IRE) | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:36.29 |
| 2022 | Ready to Purrform | Joel Rosario | 1:33.99 |
| 2021 | Public Sector | Flavien Prat | 1:35.03 |
* Awarded victory following disqualification of Zulu Kingdom.
The National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes is one of the most prestigious 3-year-old turf mile races in America and a highlight of the Hall of Fame induction weekend at Saratoga each August.
