National Museum of Racing updates Hall of Fame voting

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced several updates to its contemporary Hall of Fame voting panel and election procedures ahead of the 2026 cycle following a comprehensive review of the nominating and voting process.

Among the changes, the contemporary voting group was trimmed from 172 members in 2025 to 154 in 2026 after a voter survey conducted in December resulted in more than two dozen voters being cycled off. Several new voters were invited to participate this year.

Retired candidates selected by the Nominating Committee as finalists will now face a maximum of 10 appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot. Previously, there was no limit to the number of times a candidate could appear as a finalist within the 25-year eligibility window before timing out and transitioning to the Historic Review process. The policy applies to all horses and retired jockeys and trainers. There remains no limit on the number of times an active jockey or trainer can appear on the ballot, as their credentials continue to evolve.

Voters will also receive past voting percentages as a reference tool to evaluate the viability of candidates and how they are trending. All voting will now take place electronically through independent auditor McKenna and Franck CPAs, based in Saratoga Springs. Ballots will no longer be physically mailed. Materials for the 2026 election will be emailed to voters in mid-February when the finalists are announced.

The changes were made by Museum management in conjunction with recently appointed Nominating Committee Chair D. G. Van Clief, after consultation with the Nominating Committee, and were approved by Museum Board Chair Charlotte Weber.

"Our goals are to ensure this process is always defined by absolute integrity and that it yields the most deserving class of Hall of Fame inductees each year," Van Clief said. "We are fortunate that our Nominating Committee is both eminently capable of and fully dedicated to supporting these goals. With this year's updates to our process and the changes to refresh our voting roster, I am confident that the Hall of Fame will be welcoming inductees to its ranks who will make the sport proud and stand the test of time."

"I fully support the changes D. G. Van Clief and Museum management have made concerning the voting panel and overall election process," Weber added. "Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the greatest honor in any sport. It is of the utmost importance for the Museum to continually evaluate its procedures and evolve with the best interests of the institution and the sport as its guiding foundational principles."