Hall of Famers in the House. Current Hall of Fame members return for this year's ceremony.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Jockey Anthony Hamilton. One of the top jockeys of the 19th century, he won practically every prominent race of his time.

Photo: Keeneland Library

Planet (Revenue - Nina, by Boston) was foaled in 1855. The chestnut started 31 times, recording 27 wins and 4 seconds, with earnings of $69,700 in 4 years of racing. He was considered 2nd only to Lexington among American horses running before the Civil War. He died at age 20 in 1875.

Photo: Edward Troye / National Museum of Racing

Sarah Wright, the great-great granddaughter of Planet’s owner, Major Tom Doswell, accepted the plaque for the horse. She said that there was a picture of Planet on the wall of her home growing up.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Trainer Robert Wheeler won 1,336 races from 1938 through 1992. His charges included 56 stakes-winning horses. Prominent horses included: Track Robbery, Tompion, Bug Brush, and Silver Spoon. Shown with Bug Brush.

Photo: Blood-Horse Library

Robert Wheeler's grandson Jeff Wheeler accepted the Hall of Fame plaque.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Jeff Wheeler said that respect, honor and devotion characterized his grandfather's life and work.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Ghostzapper (Awesome Again - Baby Zip, by Relaunch); 11 starts, 9 wins, 1 third, and earnings of $3,446,120. 2004 Horse of the Year and Champion Older Horse. Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, Owned by Stronach Stables, Trained by Bobby Frankel. Stands at stud at Adena Springs in Kentucky.

Photo: SKIP DICKSTEIN

Elfrida Stronach, wife of owner/breeder Frank Stronach accepted the plaque for Ghostzapper.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

She remembered Ghostzapper's trainer, the late Bobby Frankel, and talked about how wonderful it is that Ghostzapper is still at their farm.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Trainer Roger Attfield; Career Wins: 1,745 and counting; Purses Earned: $90,007,354 and counting. Has trained 44 Sovereign Award Winners, and won 8 Sovereign Awards as leading trainer. Notable horses trained include Izvestia, With Approval, Peteski, and Perfect Shirl.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Attfield thanked all the people who have worked with him over the years; exercise riders, grooms, assistant trainers, blacksmiths and others, as well as his owners,

Photo: Skip Dickstein

and he especially thanked the horses.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Roger Attfield receives his Hall of Fame Jacket.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Jockey John Velazquez; Career Wins: 4,843 and counting; Purses Earned: $268,549,824 and counting. Won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2004 and 2005. He has won 9 Breeders' Cup races, 2 Belmont Stakes, and the Kentucky Derby.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

John Velazquez and Trainer Todd Pletcher, who introduced Velazquez, have combined for 1,226 wins so far.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Hall of Fame Jacket time for John Velazquez.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Velazquez was overcome by emotion, as he began to honor those who had supported his journey to the Hall of Fame.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

But with wife Leona by his side, he was able to deliver eloquent and meaningful words,

Photo: Skip Dickstein

with some lighthearted humorous touches as well.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Hall of Famers John Velazquez (right) and Roger Attfield share a moment. On August 6 at Saratoga, the pair teamed up to win the Waya Stakes at Saratoga with Kissable.

Photo: Skip Dickstein

The 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees

Photo: Skip Dickstein