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2025 TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
TXHOF will honor Four Humans, One Thoroughbred and One Quarter Horse at its Annual Gala.
SAN ANTONIO (February 4, 2025) – The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Board of Directors and its Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced today that it will induct its 2025 Hall of Fame Class into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 4 at Lone Star Park.
The 2025 inductees will include Larry Craft, Bill Melson, Joe Peacock, Sr. and Joe Peacock, Jr., Mike Rutherford and American Quarter Horse Havanah Goodtime and Thoroughbred Too Much Bling.
"This year’s inductees include some of the finest Texas Horses, Breeder’s and Horsemen,” said Tommy J. Azopardi, Chairman of the Board. “The Texas Horse Industry has a lot to be thankful for and these individuals and horses have brought much notoriety to Texas, and it is an honor to welcome them into The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame."
2025 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Class include:
Larry Craft
Larry Craft held a trainer's license for three years before becoming a racing official in 1969 and from 1984-2009 he was Director of Racing/Racing Secretary at Philadelphia Park, Ak-Sar-Ben, Canterbury Downs and Oaklawn Park before making his way to Texas to serve in the same capacity at Retama Park and Lone Star Park. Larry gained the highest regards from working with Texas Thoroughbred Horsemen.
Bill Melson
Bill Melson is the general manager of Cox Ranch and Sweetwater Land and Cattle Company and has been involved with horses and cattle all his life. Growing up in and around the West Texas town of Odessa, Bill naturally was involved with horses, cattle and rodeos in his youth. Bill has served as the President and a Board Member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association.
Joe Peacock Sr. and Joe Peacock, Jr.
The Peacock’s are from San Antonio, where Joe Peacock Sr. was a five-decade owner who began breeding and racing horses in 1968. His first racehorse was a QH named Parr Pooh and he qualified for the All American Futurity in 1969. After that, he was hooked! His son Joe Peacock Jr. works in the oil and gas business. In February of 2024, the Peacock’s won the world's richest horse race, the $20 Million Saudi Cup (G1) with Senor Buscador, the last horse the father and son bred, before his father’s passing. The family initially owned Quarter Horses in the 1960’s before transitioning to Thoroughbreds in the 1980’s.
Mike Rutherford
Lifetime horseman Mike G. Rutherford started riding horses and working cattle on the family ranch near Austin, Texas at the age of 8. Rutherford showed, judged, and raced Quarter Horses before entering Thoroughbred breeding and racing. He worked in the oil and gas business and served as the Vice Chair of the Texas Racing Commission and a member of the board of directors for Breeders’ Cup.
2025 Nominees to the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame – Horses
Havanah Goodtime – QH
Foaled in Texas in 2010, Havanah Goodtime was bred and owned by Bobby D. Cox of Fort Worth, Texas. She won her only start at 2 years old, and would become the dam of 13 foals, six of whom were winners, three were Graded I winners and one champion 3-year-old. Havanah Goodtime was the daughter of champion sire Ivory James, out of Jess Celebrating by Mr. Jess Perry.
Too Much Bling - TB
Too Much Bling raced for Robert & Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable and was trained by Bob Baffert. He would retire with a 5-1-2 record from 11 starts and enter stud in 2007 in Florida before moving to Lane's End Texas near Hempstead, the following year. He stood at Lane's End's Texas farm for nine seasons and in 2016 was acquired by Valor Farm's Douglas Scharbauer. Too Much Bling has been a fixture among top Texas Sires since 2013 as he produced 14 crops.
ABOUT TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of horse racing in Texas. It celebrates the achievements of owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and industry leaders who have significantly impacted the sport. Each year, the Hall of Fame hosts an annual gala to induct and honor new members for their contributions to the industry. Follow the Hall of Fame on its website, Facebook, and Instagram for updates.
For further information, contact Melinda Pettigrew, Executive Director: melindap@txhof.com, 817-825-1381.
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Photo credits:
Too Much Bling: Valor Farm
Havanah Goodtime: Allison Bailey
2025 TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
TXHOF will honor Four Humans, One Thoroughbred and One Quarter Horse at its Annual Gala.
SAN ANTONIO (February 4, 2025) – The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Board of Directors and its Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced today that it will induct its 2025 Hall of Fame Class into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 4 at Lone Star Park.
The 2025 inductees will include Larry Craft, Bill Melson, Joe Peacock, Sr. and Joe Peacock, Jr., Mike Rutherford and American Quarter Horse Havanah Goodtime and Thoroughbred Too Much Bling.
"This year’s inductees include some of the finest Texas Horses, Breeder’s and Horsemen,” said Tommy J. Azopardi, Chairman of the Board. “The Texas Horse Industry has a lot to be thankful for and these individuals and horses have brought much notoriety to Texas, and it is an honor to welcome them into The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame."
2025 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Class include:
Larry Craft
Larry Craft held a trainer's license for three years before becoming a racing official in 1969 and from 1984-2009 he was Director of Racing/Racing Secretary at Philadelphia Park, Ak-Sar-Ben, Canterbury Downs and Oaklawn Park before making his way to Texas to serve in the same capacity at Retama Park and Lone Star Park. Larry gained the highest regards from working with Texas Thoroughbred Horsemen.
Bill Melson
Bill Melson is the general manager of Cox Ranch and Sweetwater Land and Cattle Company and has been involved with horses and cattle all his life. Growing up in and around the West Texas town of Odessa, Bill naturally was involved with horses, cattle and rodeos in his youth. Bill has served as the President and a Board Member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association.
Joe Peacock Sr. and Joe Peacock, Jr.
The Peacock’s are from San Antonio, where Joe Peacock Sr. was a five-decade owner who began breeding and racing horses in 1968. His first racehorse was a QH named Parr Pooh and he qualified for the All American Futurity in 1969. After that, he was hooked! His son Joe Peacock Jr. works in the oil and gas business. In February of 2024, the Peacock’s won the world's richest horse race, the $20 Million Saudi Cup (G1) with Senor Buscador, the last horse the father and son bred, before his father’s passing. The family initially owned Quarter Horses in the 1960’s before transitioning to Thoroughbreds in the 1980’s.
Mike Rutherford
Lifetime horseman Mike G. Rutherford started riding horses and working cattle on the family ranch near Austin, Texas at the age of 8. Rutherford showed, judged, and raced Quarter Horses before entering Thoroughbred breeding and racing. He worked in the oil and gas business and served as the Vice Chair of the Texas Racing Commission and a member of the board of directors for Breeders’ Cup.
2025 Nominees to the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame – Horses
Havanah Goodtime – QH
Foaled in Texas in 2010, Havanah Goodtime was bred and owned by Bobby D. Cox of Fort Worth, Texas. She won her only start at 2 years old, and would become the dam of 13 foals, six of whom were winners, three were Graded I winners and one champion 3-year-old. Havanah Goodtime was the daughter of champion sire Ivory James, out of Jess Celebrating by Mr. Jess Perry.
Too Much Bling - TB
Too Much Bling raced for Robert & Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable and was trained by Bob Baffert. He would retire with a 5-1-2 record from 11 starts and enter stud in 2007 in Florida before moving to Lane's End Texas near Hempstead, the following year. He stood at Lane's End's Texas farm for nine seasons and in 2016 was acquired by Valor Farm's Douglas Scharbauer. Too Much Bling has been a fixture among top Texas Sires since 2013 as he produced 14 crops.
ABOUT TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of horse racing in Texas. It celebrates the achievements of owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and industry leaders who have significantly impacted the sport. Each year, the Hall of Fame hosts an annual gala to induct and honor new members for their contributions to the industry. Follow the Hall of Fame on its website, Facebook, and Instagram for updates.
For further information, contact Melinda Pettigrew, Executive Director: melindap@txhof.com, 817-825-1381.
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Photo credits:
Too Much Bling: Valor Farm
Havanah Goodtime: Allison Bailey
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Our Mission:
To Preserve the history and convey the excitement of horse racing in America while honoring trainers, jockeys, owners, horses and all other contributors who have impacted the racing community in Texas. In addition, the organization will provide funding (i) to non-profit groups that impacted the Texas equine industry and (ii) for educational opportunities for persons in Texas associated with the equine industry.
Goal:
To educate and inspire our youth about the many opportunities that exist in the pari-mutuel horse racing industry in Texas.
Our Mission:
To Preserve the history and convey the excitement of horse racing in America while honoring trainers, jockeys, owners, horses and all other contributors who have impacted the racing community in Texas. In addition, the organization will provide funding (i) to non-profit groups that impacted the Texas equine industry and (ii) for educational opportunities for persons in Texas associated with the equine industry.
Goal:
To educate and inspire our youth about the many opportunities that exist in the pari-mutuel horse racing industry in Texas.
