Asmussen Can Be Considered for Hall of Fame

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen is eligible for consideration for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame this year after investigations in two states found no evidence of horse abuse as alleged in an animal rights group's 2014 video.

On Jan. 11 the Hall sent out an email to nominators that Asmussen can be considered in 2016. 

Two years ago Asmussen's name was pulled from a list of 2014 finalists when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released an edited video that included allegations of "abuse and mistreatment." Investigations that followed in New York and Kentucky found no such abuse, although after concluding its investigation in November 2015 New York did fine the trainer $10,000 after determining he administered thyroxine to horses within 48 hours of a race.

Still, New York State Gaming Commission executive director Robert Williams acknowledged that the "troubling allegations of the PETA investigation were largely unfounded."

Asmussen also was ineligible for consideration last year as the Kentucky and New York investigations were ongoing when the initial 2015 nomination process began.

In Monday's email, Racing Hall of Fame spokesperson Brien Boyea said that with neither state investigation finding equine abuse, Asmussen's Hall candidacy can be considered this year.

"With the state racing commissions' investigations in Kentucky and New York concluded and the allegations of animal cruelty being unfounded, Mr. Asmussen is in good standing with both organizations and is eligible for Hall of Fame consideration in 2016," Boyea said.

This year's Hall of Fame nomination and election process is in the earliest stages. Each nominator from the voting panel selects up four horses, trainers, or jockeys that a nominating committee then considers for the final ballot. The voting panel then selects from that final ballot the new Hall members.

Horses who have been retired five years are eligible for consideration. Jockeys who have been licensed in North American for 20 years and trainers for 25 years are eligible for consideration. Before his name was pulled from the 2014 ballot, Asmussen had been a finalist in his first year of eligibility.

Asmussen has a strong candidacy. Twice honored with Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer, Asmussen trained 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra for the second half of that season and conditioned two-time Horse of the Year Curlin  . He ranks second all-time in wins with 7,182 (through Jan. 12) and ranks fourth in purse earnings with more than $235.3 million.