SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Standout thoroughbred Duke of Magenta, jockey Shelby “Pike” Barnes, and trainer Matthew Byrnes have been selected for the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.
One of the greatest sons of the legendary sire Lexington, Duke of Magenta was foaled in 1875 and won 11 of 12 starts as a 3-year-old, including the Preakness, Withers, Belmont, Travers, Kenner and Jerome. Only Hall of Famers Man o’ War and Native Dancer have duplicated the feat since.
Barnes was one of the top black jockeys in history and the first jockey to top 200 wins in a season (1888).
The three were selected through the museum’s Historic Review process and will be enshrined in August along with contemporary inductees trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and thoroughbreds Open Mind, Safely Kept, and Sky Beauty.
