With the relatively recent deaths of two of this year's Racing Hall of Fame contemporary selections, trainers John Shirreffs and Christophe Clement, the 2026 induction ceremony Aug. 7 proved to be an emotional day in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
In accepting the award for her late husband, Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs wrapped up her comments by recreating John Shirreffs' celebration after Jerry Moss and Ann Holbrook Moss' Zenyatta became the first female to win the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Saying, "John, this is for you," she tossed one of his ballcaps into the crowd that filled the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion at Fasig-Tipton.
At the beginning of the acceptance speech, Shirreffs noted that her late husband was present as she pointed to the cap. Ahead of her toss, she recalled John explaining that 2009 celebration at Santa Anita Park and noting that it wasn't his first thought when his spectacular mare extended her win streak in North America's most lucrative race.
"He said to me, 'I didn't know what to do. I was so excited. I just wanted to rip my shirt off, and I really couldn't do that in public,'" Ingordo-Shirreffs recalled.
Of course, that unbeaten streak would grow to 19 before Zenyatta just missed a second straight Breeders' Cup Classic victory when she closed her career by finishing second to Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's homebred Blame in the 2010 edition of that race at Churchill Downs. Recalling her late husband's love of extended visits to the Racing Hall of Fame and the Keeneland Library, Ingordo-Shirreffs said her husband, who died in February at age 80, would have loved this honor.
"John so cherished the history of this sport and all the pillars of the turf, the historic horses," she said. "He absolutely loved it. He would read about everything voraciously."
Clement: 'Conductor of Great Musicians'
In accepting the award for Christophe Clement, his wife, Valerie, recalled just how much the industry helped her family while he battled cancer and that still continues after his death in May 2025.
"Apart from the horses, of course, what is uniquely beautiful is our racing community," Clement said. "We are endlessly, immensely, and forever grateful for the support we received from so many of you here during a cruel time."
She recalled daughter Charlotte Clement de Bona leaving her job to research the rare cancer (metastatic uveal melanoma) her father was suffering from, owners offering assistance from their private doctors, donations made to support research, and many acts of kindness from the racing world.
"Christophe felt loved; so loved," Valerie Clement said. "It was just so beautiful to watch, and it is imprinted in our hearts forever."
Joined on stage by Charlotte and son Miguel Clement, who has followed in his father's footsteps as a grade 1-winning trainer, Valerie Clement recalled how her husband was thrilled to work with such top horses as 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist and three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, viewing himself as a "conductor of great musicians."
Kona Gold: A Sprint Star With Longevity
Joining the two trainers would be the lone Contemporary Horse inductee: champion sprinter Kona Gold, who set a then-track record at Churchill Downs in winning the 2000 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in 1:07.77.
Berkeley Headley, the grandson of Kona Gold's trainer and co-owner, the late Bruce Headley, accepted on behalf of the top sprinter Friday. He noted that his grandfather had a hat made celebrating the 2000 victory that helped earn the gelding the champion sprinter honor.
"Before Kona Gold's famous Breeders' Cup Sprint win in 2000, my grandfather was asked what he thought of Kona Gold going into the race," Berkeley Headley said. "He famously said that not only would he win, but that he would break the track record. He could not have been more right.
"Kona Gold went on to win and finish in a record 1:07.77, which my grandfather wore on his hat every single day."
While Kona Gold didn't make his debut until age 4, he then competed for six seasons, winning in each of those campaigns, including at age 9. From 1998-2003, the speedy son of Java Gold landed 10 graded stakes wins, one other stakes win, eight other stakes placings, and two track records.
Historical Review Inductions
A trio of new members of the Hall of Fame were welcomed under the historic review process in two-time (1987-88) Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Gulch, 1963 champion grass horse Mongo, and trainer David Whiteley, who campaigned 1979 Belmont Stakes winner Coastal and now joins his father Frank Whiteley Jr. in the Hall.
Owner Peter Brant accepted the award for his runner Gulch who, after his retirement from racing and breeding, brought in more fans as a resident at Old Friends near Georgetown, Ky. When Gulch died, he was the equine retirement farm's oldest resident at 32—his years matching his career starts.
"He was a very, very special horse for me," Brant said of Gulch, who also won the 1988 Breeders' Cup Sprint and earned champion sprinter honors that season. "He proved a great teacher for me of what you could expect from a great racehorse; taking us to so many great events, exciting wins, and exciting feats. He was truly a great horse."
Caroline Cardais accepted Mongo's award on behalf of her great-grand aunt Marion du Pont Scott, who owned and bred the Virginia-bred. David Whiteley's daughter, Kyle, and her mother, Sharon, accepted on behalf of the trainer.
Five Join Hall as Pillar of the Turf Selections
This year's large class also included five Pillar of the Turf selections in Dr. Robert Copelan, who helped found the American Association of Equine Practitioners and served as an adviser for Overbrook Farm; the late founder of Juddmonte Farm, Prince Khalid bin Abdullah; Joseph Widener, a successful owner/breeder who also operated Belmont Park and purchased Hialeah Park, where he brought his love of art and beauty to life; owner/breeder and industry leader G. Watts Humphrey Jr.; and Seth Hancock, who guided Claiborne Farm for 40 years before handing over the reins in 2015 to son Seth "Walker" Hancock.
Copelan delivered a speech by video, and Dr. Larry Bramlage accepted on his behalf. Juddmonte's Douglas Erskine Crum accepted for Prince Khalid, while Cortie Wetherill received the award for his great-grandfather, Joseph Widener. G. Watts Humphrey III and trainer Vicki Oliver accepted on behalf of their father.
In thanking many trainers, including the late Hall of Famer Woody Stephens, whom he said was a friend and like a father to him, as well as a number of jockeys, Hancock noted the importance of everyone involved in racing.
"Whether you're a hotwalker, a groom, a rider, a trainer, a breeder, or an owner, it's not an easy game," Hancock said, noting everyone plays a part in a horse's success.
He then summed up his experience and spoke for many on the stage Friday as well as the gathered onlookers.
"This game has been good to me, obviously. I mean it's been my life. I'm honored, I'm blessed," Hancock said. "It's a special business."
