Horses are held in high regard in North America, with their history intertwined with the development of new lands by settlers from Europe. These four-legged friends and helpers not only performed arduous tasks but also provided entertainment through spontaneous, improvised, and later organised races, which brought joy to the challenging lives of the colonists.
In 1973, a group of racing enthusiasts in Canada recognized that the names of the sport's illustrious pioneers were at risk of being forgotten over time. This included champion horses and the individuals who laid the foundations of the industry.
In response, the Canadian Thoroughbred and Draft Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by this group, comprised of writers, broadcasters, and industry officials. Initially, there was no physical hall. Instead, lists, photographs, films, and awards were gathered and organised – all containing information and racing memorabilia related to distinguished horses, their trainers and owners, as well as exceptional jockeys and riders.
Finally, on August 22, 1997, the Ontario Jockey Club provided space for the Hall of Fame at the west entrance of Woodbine Race Course in Toronto, Ontario.
Visitors to the Hall of Fame are treated to a permanent exhibition dedicated to the honorary members of the Hall, along with unique displays showcased in the Hall’s windows. The exhibits include personal items belonging to legendary jockeys, jackets, helmets, historic racing programs, posters, trophies, and horseshoes of champions, among others. The composition of the exhibitions is updated annually, with horse racing enthusiasts often lending memorabilia from their collections, and family heirlooms related to racing. Additionally, numerous items in storage rotate into the exhibition.
Adorning the walls of the Hall is a 44-foot-long panel depicting the history of horse racing in the country through photographs, paintings, and documents. At the centre of the hall, two columns display posters and placards, some dating back over a century.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held annually in August, featuring a gala event where nominees are celebrated, culminating in a dinner.
Visit the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame website for more information.
Election to an honorary membership in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame occurs in five categories:
Horses Bred in Canada: This category includes horses bred within Canada. If the horses have foreign origins, they must have raced within the country or had a significant influence on the breeding of Canadian horses as studs. This applies to both standardbred and thoroughbred breeds.
Jockeys, Riders, and Trainers: Individuals in this category are recognised for their successes that contributed to the growth of the racing industry.
Breeders, Owners, Officials, and Administrators: This category acknowledges individuals whose contributions to the development of the racing industry have been invaluable.
Communicators: Members of the press, photographers, broadcasters, and announcers are recognised in this category for their efforts in informing the public about horse racing and raising the profile of the industry.
Legends: This category encompasses both individuals from the racing world and horses who have distinguished themselves in the past but may have been forgotten. It was introduced in 2000 as a four-year project and has since become an annual tradition due to the abundance of worthy candidates.
The Hall of Fame's Board of Directors appoints two committees—the Thoroughbred Racing Committee and the Standardbred Committee—to review proposed candidates. Only after the candidates are elected can the final results be officially published. Information about the induction of new honorary members into the Hall of Fame is displayed in the permanent exhibition stands.
The rules governing the nomination of candidates include a clause allowing for the exclusion of an Honorary Member from the Hall of Fame for actions detrimental to the interests of the racing community.
In the first year of the Hall of Fame's existence, 12 standardbred horses and 13 thoroughbreds became honorary members, including Northern Dancer and his son Nijinsky. In 2014, celebrations were organised to mark the 50th anniversary of Northern Dancer’s victories, and a calendar featuring his images, photos, and biographical information was released.
In 2013, the first non-Canadian Thoroughbred inducted into the Hall of Fame was the great Secretariat. At the 1973 Canadian International at Woodbine Race Course, he concluded his racing career with a stunning victory, bringing Canadian racing to the world's attention. That same year, Canadian filly Seeley Hill, Canada's first Triple Tiara champion, also became an honorary member of the Hall of Fame.
In addition to its main activities, the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame works closely with breeders and owners of breeding horses. In 2024, this collaboration facilitated the third online auction of Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding stallions hosted by the Hall of Fame. The proceeds from the auction contribute to the organisation's development fund.
The work undertaken by the staff of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is invaluable. The industry's history is integral to its vitality. The rich history of Canadian horse racing deserves to be remembered, with stories of great victories for horses and individuals in the industry passed down through generations. This continuity strengthens the field, instils confidence in its future, and fills the hearts of fans with pride in its achievements.