A $1 million challenge pledge from the William Stamps Farish Fund has
initiated a key endowment drive by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of
Fame. The contribution is contingent on the Museum raising its current endowment
by an additional $6 million. The Farish pledge will assist the Museum in
achieving its final goal of $10 million.
“The mission of the Museum is to interpret the history and convey the
excitement of Thoroughbred racing, and to continue to do that we need a strong
and permanent financial base,” Museum President Stella Thayer said. “This
generous pledge by the Farish Fund will give impetus to a very important
fundraising drive.”
The Farish Fund is a private foundation established and managed by one of the
leading families in Thoroughbred racing. Former United States Ambassador to the
Court of St. James, the Hon. William S. Farish, is a key member of the Fund, and
his aunt, the late Martha Gerry, was the Museum’s Board Chairman.
“We hope the American Thoroughbred industry understands and appreciates that
the Museum and Hall of Fame are here to serve and promote the entire industry,
not just one region,” Thayer said. “For example, the recent Hall of Fame
induction class honored the Kentucky-bred filly Silverbulletday, the
California-bred colt Tiznow, New York-based jockey Eddie Maple, California-based
trainer Bob Baffert, along with trainer Janet Elliot and English Grand National
winner Ben Nevis II from the steeplechase community associated with Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina.
“Similarly, the permanent collection and special exhibitions presented by the
Museum touch the whole of American racing of past and present.”
The current endowment of approximately $3 million will serve as the base for
the drive, which will reach out to owners, breeders, racetracks, fans, and the
many other segments of the multi-faceted Thoroughbred racing and breeding
industries.
“There are many important and vigorous organizations in this broad industry,”
Museum Director Joe Aulisi said, “but I believe the National Museum of Racing
and Hall of Fame is unique in its specific role on behalf of all those
components. I hope the fact we have been around for more than a half-century is
not taken for granted by the industry. It is also my hope that all organizations
involved in Thoroughbred racing will support this fundraising endeavor to ensure
we are always here on their behalf.”