Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame marks 50th anniversary year
by Melissa Keith
On Wednesday (May 20), the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (CHRHF) introduced its recently-elected Class of 2026 at a well-attended president’s reception. Located at ground level in the west end of the Woodbine Racetrack grandstand in Rexdale, ON, the Hall is filled with informational plaques and portraits celebrating renowned racehorses, horsepeople, and racing industry builders and media from the thoroughbred and standardbred worlds. Although live harness racing ended at Woodbine Racetrack in April 2018, with the former standardbred track transformed into an inner turf course, both breeds are very much alive in the CHRHF.
Hall of Fame president Bill Ford addressed the audience by welcoming new CHRHF board members, veterinarian Dr. Maurice (Mo) Stewart and harness horseman Mark Horner. He also noted the passing of Andrea McGee, an active volunteer at the Hall for two decades, in September 2025.
“As you see, we have a new set-up this year,” Ford said. “Many of you have seen, or will soon see, the new additions to the Hall: the statues of Northern Dancer and [Secretariat’s jockey] Ron Turcotte. These are important and fitting tributes. The installation took place not long before Ron’s passing, and we’re pleased that we’re able to ensure that his legacy is recognized in such a prominent way. Both pieces were previously located at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary. It’s meaningful to have them here as part of our permanent collection.”
Ford next acknowledged that 2026 is “a milestone year for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame,” as the facility celebrates its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1976, the CHRHF has inducted over 500 equine and human achievers so far, and will be promoting the past, present, and future of Canadian racing by hosting public events over the coming months.
“We plan to recognize the anniversary in several ways,” the CHRHF president said. “At the grassroots level, you’ll see a presence at track events, such as Clinton Raceway’s Legends Day in July, alongside other initiatives aimed at celebrating our history, including the broader racing community.”
A public ribbon-cutting for a new mural was announced for Woodbine Mohawk Park that took place on Saturday (May 23) at 5:15 p.m.
“The mural lists all Hall of Fame inductees and prominently features Ontario-based standardbred contributors,” Ford said. “It’s an impressive visual representation of the Hall’s history.”
He added that there will be “continued efforts to expand the Hall’s presence across the country” at other Canadian tracks by means of “similar projects.”
“In conclusion, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what has brought us all here today,” the Hall’s president said. “That’s the horse itself. The Hall of Fame exists to recognize excellence across the sport, the common thread that connects every story, every achievement, and every person in this room is the horse.”
Event co-hosts Kelly Spencer and Robert Geller introduced the CHRHF Class of 2026, who were recognized in standardbred and thoroughbred video presentations. On the harness racing side, Dr. Maurice Stewart (builder); Majestic Son (male horse); Western Dreamer (veteran horse); Put On A Show (female horse); Doug Arthur (trainer); and Mike Saftic (driver) were in the spotlight. The thoroughbred inductees include John Burness (builder); Dale Saunders (trainer); Michael Burns, Jr. (communicator); Richard Dos Ramos (jockey); One For Rose (female horse); and Rahy’s Attorney (male horse). Each name was met with applause by those in attendance at the invitation-only gathering.
Linda Rainey is managing director of the Hall of Fame.
“I’ve been with the Hall since 2012, so it’s been quite a length of time, at this point,” she said. “We are so excited about the 50th anniversary… [It] provides a great opportunity to highlight things like the number of stake races in Canada that are named after Hall of Fame members. We are looking at opportunities to work with tracks on topics like that. It’s a great way to bring the entire industry together and make them think about the history of the sport.”
Rainey said that tickets were available to purchase for the annual CHRHF induction banquet, scheduled for Aug. 12 in Mississauga, ON. The event helps raise funds in support of the Hall’s work.
“We’re certainly working on some ideas that will make it unique and a little more special,” in recognition of the 50th anniversary, she said.
“We’re working with Ontario Racing on putting some [commemorative 50th anniversary] merchandise together… and they are going to be available on the Ontario Racing website, in their online store, with proceeds coming to the Hall of Fame. That will be happening in the next 10 days or so.”
The CHRHF managing director said that she was “thrilled” for the Hall “to have a presence at Mohawk” in the new mural that was unveiled on Saturday (May 23).
“The mural takes up over 50 feet of wall,” she said. “It’s right near the entrance, on the inside [of the grandstand]. It’s right across from the Armstrong trophy case. That mural contains the names of every Hall of Fame member from both breeds. In addition, we’ve done special features on individuals and horses who are from the Ontario market, standardbred side.”
Rainey said everyone was welcome to visit the CHRHF at Woodbine Racetrack, which is open when the grandstand opens. There is no admission fee.
“We want to make sure that everybody realizes it’s much more a hall of fame than a museum; we have limited artifacts here,” she said. “You can wander around in here.”
Visit the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame website or Facebook page for information and/or to purchase tickets for the annual induction gala.
