Hall of Fame Inducts 2017 Class

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (NMRHOF) inducted its Class of 2017 in front of a packed house at Fasig-Tipton's Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs Friday morning. Highlighted by the induction of jockeys Javier Castellano, Victor Espinoza and the late Garrett Gomez, the ceremony included a mix of humorous and emotional moments. The morning was emceed by legendary racecaller Tom Durkin and began with some perspective from Gretchen Jackson, president of the NMRHOF.

“Less than 1% of participants [in racing] achieve this pinnacle,” said Jackson.

Fellow jockeys and Hall of Famers John Velazquez and Ramon Dominguez helped welcome Castellano into the Hall of Fame, highlighting his passion for the game and commitment to his family before passing the mic to the native Venezuelan.

“Thank you to my family,” Castellano said. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported my career.”

Castellano–who was named on eight mounts at Saratoga Friday–named memorable horses that contributed to his success, as well as owners and trainers who have trusted him with their Thoroughbreds.

The induction of Gomez took on added meaning in light of his passing at the age of 44 last December.

“I found myself trying to channel my dad's thoughts on the flight here,” said the late jockey's daughter Amanda Gomez, who was joined by her grandfather, Louie. “Thank you to every owner and trainer who allowed him to ride their champions. I want you all to know that he remembered every winning horse that he ever rode. He worked very hard to be the best he could be, day and night.”

Durkin provided some humor when introducing Espinoza, contrasting his achievements on the racetrack with his relative lack of ability on the television program “Dancing With the Stars,” while the New York Racing Association (NYRA)'s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Martin Panza stressed the importance of recognizing the contribution of jockeys to the sport.

“It's an honor for me to be in this Hall of Fame Club,” said Espinoza, who also reflected on his childhood growing up in Mexico City. “American Pharoah was brilliant, and many other horses–California Chrome and The Tin Man–I can't imagine not riding those horses that put me right here in this moment, to be the best at what I do. But it took a lot of work and required a lot of talent. To all those young jockeys coming in, never give up.”

Goldikova (Anabaa), the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup races with consecutive victories in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, and Good Night Shirt (Concern)–one of only three jumps horses to reach the $1 million mark in earnings–were also honored.

The late Tom Voss was the lone trainer inducted in the Hall's 2017 class. Journalist Joe Clancy and Voss' son, Sam, spoke about the conditioner as a “larger-than-life” character with a unique personality.

Pillars of the Turf:

The late Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps, a pioneer for 32 years at the helm of The Jockey Club, as well as an influential figure at NYRA–all the while managing the highly successful Phipps Stable–took his rightful place in the Hall as a Pillar of the Turf. His son, Ogden Mills Phipps II, delivered a heartfelt thank you to trainer Shug McGaughey, describing a lasting “partnership, and more importantly a friendship,” between their families that ultimately helped shape the Hall of Fame careers of both men.

“It's an exceptional honor and I think [my father] would be very proud,” said Phipps. “In keeping with my father's tradition, I think he would want to deflect praise on himself and instead give thanks to others. Saying thank you for honoring my dad's career in horse racing, it is impossible not to mention the man who is predominantly responsible for his success: Shug, you stood up here 15 years ago today, and you said so graciously that you would not have gotten here if it wasn't for our family. Well, I want you to know that dad wouldn't have gotten here today without you.”

Phipps went on to thank the Hancock family for their business relationship and friendship, and finally, the family matriarch, Ande Phipps, who “allowed dad to pursue his passions.”

John R. Gaines, founder of the Breeders' Cup, Gainesway Farm and the National Thoroughbred Association (which later became the National Thoroughbred Racing Association), and Colonel Matt Winn, who was instrumental in the development and growth of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, joined Phipps as posthumous Pillars of the Turf honorees.

“John Gaines will be remembered most for his passion, innovation, and sheer determination to pull together various factions of the Thoroughbred industry in creating the Breeders' Cup, an unprecedented program of championship racing,” said Breeders' Cup Chairman William S. Farish, Jr., and Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel in a Friday statement.

Phipps, Gaines and Winn join a select group of Pillars of the Turf that includes August Belmont II (2013), Paul Mellon (2013), E. P. Taylor (2014), Alfred Vanderbilt II (2015), John Hay Whitney (2015), Arthur B. Hancock, Jr. (2016) and Williams Woodward, Sr. (2016).