Renowned publicist Mark Kaufman, 2009 Washington Horse of the Year Reba Is Tops, and legendary claiming horse Maxwell G compose a stellar field of 2026 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductees, Emerald Downs announced Wednesday.
In addition, former jockey and longtime racing official/executive Doug Moore is honored with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The official induction ceremony takes place Saturday, August 15, eve of the 91st renewal of the $125,000 Longacres Mile.
The Class of 2026 marks the 21st annual Washington Hall of Fame ceremony held at Emerald Downs.
A native of Republic, Wash., Doug Moore rode over 1400 winners including a stakes victory aboard fabled Washington-bred Captain Condo before hanging up his tack in 1989 for a career in racetrack management. Moore's career spans five decades featuring a long stint for the Washington Horse Racing Commission including five years (2005-2009) as presiding steward at Emerald Downs. He later accepted the Deputy Secretary position with the WHRC and became Executive Secretary in 2013, a position he filled until 2023 when named Commissioner. Moore is a benevolent force for Thoroughbred racing in his home state, spending countless hours with legislators helping secure the future of racing.
Maxwell G is among the sturdiest and winningest runners in North American history. A 1961 Washington-bred by Author, Maxwell G reeled off an incredible 99 exacta finishes—47 wins, 52 seconds—whilst developing extensive fan bases in Chicago, Phoenix, and Seattle. Richard Hazelton was the trainer for most of the gelding's 233-race career, including an improbable victory at age 16 at Turf Paradise.
2009 Washington Horse of the Year Reba Is Tops won stakes races at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Bay Meadows, finishing with a 14 for 30 lifetime mark and earnings of $464,267. A 2004 Washington-bred mare by He's Tops, Reba Is Tops was effective on dirt and turf, winning multiple races five consecutive years (2007-2011) for Washington Hall of Fame trainers Mark Glatt and Bud Klokstad.
As the esteemed Director of Publicity at Longacres from 1977-1990, Mark Kaufman's impact on racing was such that he is honored annually with two major awards and events—WTBOA presents its Mark Kaufman Media Award for outstanding coverage while the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program holds a Mark Kaufman Workshop at its Symposium on Racing and Gaming. In addition, Emerald Downs' press area is named in Kaufman's honor. A Seattle native who attended Garfield High School and Washington State University, Kaufman served as President of the Turf Publicists of America from 1984-1987, also assisting with media at the Breeders' Cup and Kentucky Derby.
Washington Racing Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement: Joe Gottstein (2003), Ron Crockett (2004), Pete Pedersen (2008), James Seabeck (2010), Karen & Mickey Taylor (2011), Jack Hodge (2012), Ralph Vacca (2013), Robert Geller (2015), Dr. Mark Dedomenico (2017), Dr. George Todaro (2018), Aaron T. Van De Vanter (2019); Joe Withee (2021), Junior Coffey (2024), Doug Moore (2026)
Class of 2026: Older Horse-Maxwell G; Older Filly or Mare-Reba Is Tops; Media-Mark Kaufman
Class of 2025: Trainer-Mark Glatt; Owner-Paskey Dedomenico; Breeder-Ron & Nina Hagen (El Dorado Farms)
Class of 2024: Jockey-Basil Frazier; Horse (F&M)-Flag de Lune; Media-Jon White; Lifetime Achievement-Junior Coffey
Class of 2023: Trainer-Frank Lucarelli; Horse-Atta Boy Roy, Stryker Phd; Breeder-Bar C Racing; Owner-George and Norma Sedlock
Class of 2019: Trainer-Ruth Parton; Horse-Snow Plow; Breeder-Griffin Place.
Class of 2018: Jockey-Juan Gutierrez; Trainer-Doris Harwood; Horse-Mustard Plaster; Breeder-Penney Family
Class of 2017: Trainer-Marion L. Smith; Horse-Noosa Beach; Breeder-Rick and Debbie Pabst.
Class of 2016: Jockey-Jack Leonard; Trainer-Larry and Sharon Ross; Horse (F&M)-Flamme; Horse-Loto Canada; Breeder-Robert L. Edwards
Class of 2015: Jockey-Gary Boulanger; Trainer-Wesley Ward; Horse (F&M)-Ropersandwranglers; Horse-Travel Orb; Breeder-Herman Sarkowsky
Class of 2014: Jockey-Ricky Frazier; Trainer-Ben Harris; Horse (F&M)-Delicate Vine; Horse-Chum Salmon; Breeder-Gunshy Manor
Class of 2013: Jockey-Gallyn Mitchell; Trainer-Howard Belvoir; Horse (F&M)-Table Hands; Horse-Military Hawk; Breeder-Czech-mate Farm
Class of 2012: Jockey-Paul Frey; Trainer-Wayne Branch; Horse (F&M)-Rings a Chime; Horse-Hilco Scamper; Breeder-George Newell
Class of 2011: Jockey-Vicky Baze; Trainer-Tim McCanna; Horse (F&M)-Firesweeper; Horse-Pataha Prince; Breeder-Grousemont Farm
Class of 2010: Jockey-Joe Baze; Trainer-Bill McMeans; Horse-Biggs; Breeder-Les Turner
Class of 2009: Jockey-Lennie Knowles; Trainer-Kathy Walsh; Horse-Sparrow Castle; Breeder-Wilbur & Marianne Stadelman
Class of 2008: Jockey-Larry Pierce; Trainer-Glen Williams; Horse-Belle of Rainier; Breeder-Frank Brewster
Class of 2007: Jockey-Johnny Adams; Trainer-Red McDaniel; Horse-Peterhof's Patea; Breeder-Dan Agnew
Class of 2006: Jockey-Albert Johnson; Trainer-Frances Keller; Horse-Sir William; Breeder-C. J. Sebastian.
Class of 2005: Jockey-Basil James; Trainer-Bud Klokstad; Horse-Smogy Dew; Breeder-Guy & Barbara Roberts
Class of 2004: Jockey-Russell Baze; Trainer-Charles Whittingham; Horse-Saratoga Passage, Turbulator; Breeder-George Drumheller
Class of 2003 (inaugural): Jockey-Gary Baze, Ralph Neves, Gary Stevens; Trainer-Allen Drumheller, Jim Penney, Tom Smith; Horse-Captain Condo, Chinook Pass, Trooper Seven; Breeder-Herb Armstrong, Jerre Paxton.
