Halls of Fame
A few countries have instituted Halls of Fame to honor exceptional horses (and people).
Eligibility:
- United States of America
- Thoroughbreds remain eligible between five and 25 calendar years following their final racing year.
- Thoroughbreds retired for more than 25 calendar years become eligible through the Historic Review Committee.
- Specialized committees will meet in a cycle to examine specific eras of racing history beginning in 2024 with a Pre-1900 Committee. In 2025, the committee will review the years 1900 through 1959. In 2026, the years 1660 through 2000 will be reviewed.
- Canada
- ‘Canadian-bred’, or horses ‘foreign-bred’ who have had a significant influence on Canadian racing or who have had an exceptional influence on Canadian horse breeding as broodmares or sires and the bulk of whose career has occurred in the twenty (20) years preceding nomination.
- Veteran horses whose careers concluded at least twenty-one (21) years but less than fifty (50) prior to the year in which they are nominated.
- Japan
- Horses which have won more than three Grade 1 races
- Horses which have had excellent racing and breeding results (sired a G1 winner more than five or bred G1 winner more than two)
- Horses which have had a positive contribution to the racing world or JRA.
- Horses remain eligible between one and 20 years following thier retirement.
- Australia
- Any horse (flat or jumping) which has raced on Australian racetracks – Australian or foreign bred - which has excelled at the highest level
- Any horse which has had an exceptional influence on Australian racing
- Horses which have raced in Australia and excelled overseas will also be considered
- Horses still racing are eligible
- Eligibility is not restricted by age, sex, number of race starts or ownership
- New Zealand
- Those whose achievements have enriched the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.
- Great Britain
- Horses who have contributed significantly to horseracing since 1970.
- Horses which have achieved remarkable exploits on a consistent basis at the pinnacle of the sport.
The South African Hall of Fame has a Horse Racing category, instituted in 2019. Sea Cottage is the only horse in it.
A few horses have been entered into the hall of fame of more than one country:
- All Along - USA & CAN
- Balmerino - AUS & NZ
- Beau Vite - AUS & NZ
- Carbine - AUS & NZ
- Dahlia - USA & CAN
- Dance Smarty - USA & CAN
- Exterminator - USA & CAN
- Gloaming - AUS & NZ
- La Prevoyante - USA & CAN
- Let's Elope - AUS & NZ
- Might and Power - AUS & NZ
- Nijinsky - CAN & GB
- Northern Dancer - USA & CAN
- Phar Lap - AUS & NZ
- Redcraze - AUS & NZ
- Rising Fast - AUS & NZ
- Secretariat - USA & CAN
- Sir Barton - USA & CAN
- So You Think - AUS & NZ
- Sunline - AUS & NZ
- Tepin - USA & CAN
- Tulloch - AUS & NZ
- Wise Dan - USA & CAN