Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum facts for kids

The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum is a special place in Aiken, South Carolina. It was created in 1977 to honor famous racehorses. These horses were known as Thoroughbreds. They trained in Aiken for both flat racing and steeplechase events.

Flat racing is when horses race on a flat track. Steeplechase racing involves horses jumping over obstacles. The museum celebrates the amazing achievements of these athletic horses.

How the Museum Started

The idea for the museum came from the local Jaycees. This is a group for young people who want to help their community. They got help from a horse racing expert named Whitney Tower. He was an editor for Sports Illustrated magazine. Mr. Tower was also a leader at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He helped make sure the Aiken museum honored the best horses.

What You Can See at the Museum

The museum is located in a beautiful area called Hopelands Gardens. This used to be the home of Charles Oliver Iselin and Hope Goddard Iselin. Now, the City of Aiken owns the gardens. The museum itself is in the old carriage house and stables. These were the buildings where the Iselins kept their horses and carriages.

The Hall of Fame honors 40 horses that won a special award called the Eclipse Award. This award is given to the best horses in North American racing. The museum also has many other interesting exhibits. You can learn about the history of horse racing in Aiken. It's a great place to discover how these incredible animals became champions.

Honored Horses

The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame celebrates many amazing horses. These are horses that trained in Aiken and went on to achieve great things. They include winners of major races and champions in their sport.

Here are some of the famous horses honored in the Hall of Fame:

See also

• U.S. Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame