By Jessica Martini
Trainer Steve Asmussen and retired jockey Ramon Dominguez, as well as superstar mares Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) and Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), were officially inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Friday morning at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga.
Asmussen, a two-time Eclipse champion who trained Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, shared the honor with longtime staff members, owners and family, but acknowledged the equine athletes deserved all of the credit.
“Horses like Valid Expectations, like Rachel Alexandra, like Curlin, they were able to do things for us that we weren't able to do for ourselves,” Asmussen said. “The horses are the ones who have done all this for us and without them, we wouldn't be here today.”
Asmussen, whose induction was delayed two years in the wake of the release of a controversial video and allegations of animal cruelty by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, became emotional when thanking his parents, former trainers Keith and Marilyn, for their support, crediting the couple with instilling in him their faith, work ethic and attention to detail.
“Standing up here and being celebrated and honored for accomplishments, this is definitely for you dad,” Asmussen said. “Thank you for everything. You've always taught me to put family first.”
Asmussen was presented into the Hall of Fame by his wife Julie Asmussen, who said the trainer had passed on important lessons to his own sons.
“For our boys, there was the time that you won seven races all in one day,” she recalled. “And the very next day, you didn't win any. The boys, ages four, six and eight, said, 'Dad, you didn't even win any races today.' He looked down and replied, 'We don't give up. We'll try again tomorrow.' The most powerful lesson you have shared with the boys, and with me as well, is you never give up no matter what the battle may be. You wake up every morning and you give it your best.”
Dominguez captured three straight Eclipse Awards as the nation's leading jockey. The popular Venezuelan retired in 2013 after winning 20 individual NYRA meet riding titles.
“The last couple of weeks, I've often been asked if I have a speech prepared,” Dominguez said. “And every time, my response was the same. 'No. I am such a procrastinator.' And although that's true, the reason I hadn't prepared my speech was because every time I decided to do it, I would reflect back on my career and I would start to cry. These were tears of joy–nothing bad–when I think of all the people who have been instrumental in my achievements, I have so many to thank.”
Cross-country superstars Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra inspired passionate support from their fans and it seemed appropriate 'the girls,' as Zenyatta's co-owner Ann Moss called them, were inducted in the same class.
Stonestreet Stables owner Barbara Banke accepted Rachel Alexandra's induction into the Hall of Fame. The now 10-year-old mare captured the 2009 GI Kentucky Oaks for breeder Dolphus Morrison and Banke recalled the farm's bloodstock advisor John Moynihan interrupting an anniversary dinner with her late husband Jess Jackson to tell the couple Morrison was willing to sell them the budding superstar. Rachel Alexandra went on to capture that year's GI Preakness S., GI Haskell Invitational and GI Woodward S. in the Stonestreet colors.
“She was so courageous and determined,” Banke said of the 2009 Horse of the Year. “I think courage is the main thing that strikes me about her–records broken, incredible margins of victory, terrific battles, such as the Woodward, that she prevailed in. And she inspired young girls and women everywhere. I still remember the banners on the streets of Saratoga before the Woodward–'Run like a Girl.'”
Jerry and Ann Moss accepted the induction of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, the only female to win the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, into the Hall of Fame.
“We were blessed to have her,” Ann Moss said. “She won her first race on Thanksgiving and we've been thankful ever since.” Acknowledging Rachel Alexandra, Moss added, “It's great to have the girls inducted in the same year.” She then nodded to Banke and smiled, “That was a great anniversary present.”
Two legendary breeders were inducted into the Hall of Fame Friday in the 'Pillars of the Turf' category, Claiborne's Arthur “Bull” Hancock and William Woodward, Sr., breeder of Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox and Omaha.
Dell Hancock accepted the induction on behalf of her late father, who took over the reins of the family's historic Kentucky farm in 1947.
“Thank you on behalf of the entire Hancock family,” she said. “I'd like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for honoring dad in such a huge way. Daddy was a man who loved friends, horses, horse people, and he loved this game of racing. If he was here today, he would be very honored. I can guarantee you, his family is so proud.”
During Hancock's tenure with Claiborne, the farm was the country's top breeder by earnings four times and, beginning in 1955, the farm stood the country's top stallion on the general sires list for 15 consecutive years.
Woodward's induction was accepted by his great-grandson Townsend Bancroft. Woodward was chairman of The Jockey Club from 1930 through 1950. As an owner, he won 10 Triple Crown events and was the breeder of 101 stakes winners.
Bancroft shared an entry from his great-grandfather's journal, in which Woodward recalled the origins of his love of racing.
“The first race that I really remember was the Belmont Stakes of 1888 in which Sir Dixon and Prince Royal provided a stirring contest,” Woodward said in his journal. “I remember the colors and the whole scene. It was run in glorious sunshine.”
Bancroft added, “I suspect most of us here this morning have a similarly vivid memory of when racing truly penetrated our blood.”
The museum's historic review committee selected two inductees to honor this year, 1875 Preakness S. winner Tom Ochiltree, and the late Wayne Wright, who rode Shut Out to victory in the 1942 Kentucky Derby.
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