by James Platz

Ellen Taylor, Brian Elmore and Terri Austin are the newest members of the Indiana Horse Racing Association, Inc. Hall of Fame, formally inducted Monday evening (Nov. 11). The ceremonies were conducted at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing and Casino. The trio of honorees were recognized for their service to the state’s racing industry, and each has a connection to Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino and the Anderson area.

Taylor is a lifelong supporter of harness racing, growing up in a racing family based in Central Indiana. She is best known for her work with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. At the age of 16, Taylor took on the role of camp coordinator for HHYF. In 1990, she took the reins of the organization from her mother, Margot, assuming the role of executive director, a position she still holds today.

Taylor was a driving force behind the creation of the Harness Racing Youth League program, held for the first time in 1999 at Hoosier Park. The HRYL paved the way for an annual schedule of summer camps HHYF conducts in the Midwest and East Coast that introduce youth to harness racing and teach care and horsemanship. These camps have exposed thousands to the industry she dearly loves.

Taylor is a longtime member of the United States Harness Writers Association, serving as an at-large director for 15 years and currently holding the same position in the Indiana chapter. She has chaired USHWA’s silent auction committee since 2013. Taylor was named USHWA Member of the Year in 2015, and received the Stan Bergstein Proximity Award in 2009.

With this distinction, Taylor is the fourth member of her family to be honored in the Hoosier State. Her grandfather, Don Taylor, and parents, Margot and Dick Taylor, are each members of the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame. Margot was honored as an Immortal in Goshen, NY last year.

Brian Elmore’s participation in the racing industry spans five decades. Born in Sullivan, IN, Elmore’s involvement in the sport began with quarter horse racing. He eventually moved into track management, leading him to Texas for a stint. Elmore returned to Indiana in late 1995 to work at Hoosier Park’s off-track betting location in Indianapolis. He would rise to director of OTB operations, and later move into the roles of director of racing operations and general manager of racing at Hoosier Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis. He has also served as vice president and general manager at Ellis Park.

When he stepped away from roles in track management, Elmore transitioned into the position of executive director of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). He held that title until his retirement earlier this year, but he continues to support the Indiana HBPA as a consultant. Currently, he is devoting time to the planning and construction of a $1.4 million community center that, when complete, will provide a 150-person chapel, offices and meeting space for the chaplaincy program at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Elmore was previously honored by The Jockey’s Guild in 2016, receiving the prestigious Eddie Arcaro Award.

Terri Austin served the people of Anderson and Madison County for two decades as a state representative. She was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2002, and during her time in office, she held several leadership roles. She was an ally for Harrah’s Hoosier Park, providing unwavering support for horse racing in her district as well as the state. Austin’s support was instrumental in the passage of legislation that allowed casinos at Indiana’s two pari-mutuel tracks.

Austin also served as a teacher and administrator for Anderson Community Schools from 1983-2003, and was a full-time adjunct professor at Anderson University from 2003-11.

Taylor, Elmore and Austin join 24 past IHRA Hall of Fame inductees. The list includes harness racing participants Lawrence Borst, Ralph Wilfong, Lynn Wilfong, Harold Barnes, Howard Peterson, Ernie Gaskin, Don Eash, Joe Putnam and Jay Cross. Portraits of each inductee are on display in the mezzanine at Horseshoe Indianapolis, located in Shelbyville.