The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will hold the 12th annual induction gala Nov. 10, at Retama Park Race Track. The event will be held before and during the races beginning at 4 p.m.
"We expect this Hall of Fame gala to be our best ever," says Joe Straus Jr., founder of the Texas Horse Racing Association, chairman of Retama Entertainment Group, the management company of Retama Park, and co-founder of Retama Park.
Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductees for 2012
Valid Expectations
Valid Expectations has been one of the Southwest’s most prolific stallions since he came to Lane’s End Texas from Florida in 2001. He was Texas’ leading general sire for the ninth time in 2011. Valid Expectations had 56 winners from 102 runners last year, for progeny earnings of $1,443,279. To date, Valid Expectations has amassed $28.8 million plus in progeny earnings.
Kool Kue Baby
The sport’s all-time leading stakes winner with 24, Kool Kue Baby has a record of 33 wins in 63 races and earnings of $746,019—of which $404,606 has come in Challenge races. Bred by Donald Gardner of Jacksboro, Texas, the mare earned her unprecedented fifth berth in the Challenge Championships when she ran second in the June 17 Centaur Texas Challenge at Retama Park.
T.I. "Pops" Harkins
A Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Association member since the association’s inception and a board member for 16 years, Harkins earned TTBA Breeder of the Year honors on three separate occasions—a singular distinction to date—reflecting the notable racing performances of progeny by Harkins’ eminent stallion, Treasury Note.
Bill Casner
Bill Casner grew up in El Paso and embarked on a race training career in the Midwest. Casner co-owned WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky., with Kenny Troutt before selling his interest in 2010. Casner is currently vice chairman and co-founder of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, and he serves on the board of trustees for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Breeders' Cup.
Allen and Jeanette Moehrig
Texas natives Allen and Jeanette Moehrig have been making American Quarter Horse History for decades. The Moehrigs raised what is arguably the best racing American Quarter Horse ever in Special Effort—the Texas-bred horse who in 1981 became the only horse to win the Ruidoso Triple Crown as a 2-year-old.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the gala at $125 per person, please contact Sharolyn Grammer at (210) 651-7000 or retama@flash.net.