History was made yesterday with the announcement that Smarty Jones, the Pennsylvania-bred horse that captured the hearts of sports and horse fans across the world during his historic race for the Triple Crown in 2004, will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Smarty is one of seven new inductees into the Hall of Fame and is the only inductee from the 2025 class to be selected from the contemporary racing category. This was Smarty Jones’s first year as a finalist on the ballot, and his selection made him the only Pennsylvania-bred thoroughbred to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Smarty Jones was born on February 28, 2001, at Roy and Pat Chapman’s 100-acre Someday Farm in Chester County, PA. A chestnut colt bred in Pennsylvania, Smarty began his racing career at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) in November 2003 and was trained by Parx-based trainer John Servis. He was ridden exclusively by jockey Stewart Elliott.
After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes by a record 11 1/2 lengths, Smarty was undefeated with eight first-place finishes in eight races heading into the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown. After placing second in the Belmont, a length behind Birdstone, Smarty retired with a record of 8-1-0 in 9 starts. The 24-year-old Smarty continues to live in Pennsylvania, where he stands at stud at Equistar Training and Breeding Center in Annville, PA.
“I am thrilled that Smarty Jones has finally been inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame and received the recognition he deserves,” said owner Pat Chapman. “I am thankful to the individuals who supported Smarty’s inclusion as an inductee in this year’s class, particularly those who worked to have him included in this year’s ballot. Smarty was the quintessential underdog, overcoming incredible odds and capturing the hearts of people around the world as he took us on the ride of a lifetime.”
“Smarty is a very special horse and well-deserving of this honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Smarty’s trainer, John Servis. “I am thrilled for Mrs. Chapman and the entire Smarty Jones team that he and his achievements will forever be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.”
“Smarty Jones’ victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness gave the average person and small breeders in Pennsylvania the hope that their own dreams of one day having a Triple Crown contender could be achieved,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association. “Smarty was a true underdog and the obstacles he was able to overcome made him a great ambassador for our sport who attracted many new fans.”
The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Parx Racing plan to open a new Smarty Jones exhibit at Parx Racetrack in Bensalem that will open to the public on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 3. The exhibit will feature a wide range of Smarty Jones memorabilia from owner Pat Chapman, including his Kentucky Derby and Preakness trophies, racing silks, and a range of other unique items. (A special media preview of the exhibit will take place on Friday, May 2 at 11 a.m.)
Smarty was on Time magazine’s list of most influential “people” in 2004 and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and numerous other publications. His 11 1/2-length Preakness victory remains the largest in the race’s 149-year history.
To earn induction into the Hall of Fame, finalists must receive a majority of votes from the voting panel. The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, August 1 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY.
