National Museum of Racing and Hall of FameSaratoga Springs, N.Y. — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will open two new special exhibitions and host several exciting public events coinciding with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 3-7.

On Wednesday, June 3, the Museum’s latest exhibits, Capturing and Preserving Greatness: A Life’s Passion (The Photography and Historic Collections of Barbara D. Livingston, presented by Daily Racing Form) and A Discerning Eye: The Art of Sir Alfred Munnings (Selections from a Private Collection), open to the public.

On exhibition in the Museum’s McBean Gallery, Capturing and Preserving Greatness: A Life’s Passion (The Photography and Historic Collections of Barbara D. Livingston, presented by Daily Racing Form) chronicles the remarkable photography career of Barabara D. Livingston, a six-time Eclipse Award winner, as well as several of the historic photo collections Livingston has acquired and preserved throughout her distinguished career. Livingston, the chief photographer at Daily Racing Form, co-curated the exhibit with Annie Davis, the Museum’s collections manager. 

The Museum’s von Stade Gallery will play host to A Discerning Eye: The Art of Sir Alfred Munnings (Selections from a Private Collection). This exhibit will feature a remarkable private collection of 29 Munnings paintings that explore a variety of subjects, demonstrating his versatility and mastery of the dynamic equine and human connection. Munnings (1878–1959) was a master of British sporting art who studied, rode, bred, and lived with horses, instilling in him an extraordinary perception of the equine form and spirit. The exhibit is guest curated by Teresa Longyear.

Belmont Stakes Racing Festival events include a book talk and signing with Tom Durkin, Durkin-led tours of the Museum, the Belmont Bash at the Canfield Casino, Saturday Morning Social, the Belmont Family Fun Fest, a raffle for an ownership share in a West Point Thoroughbreds racehorse, Oklahoma Training Track Tours, and much more.

Tom Durkin book talk and Museum tours

On Wednesday, June 3, renowned track announcer and broadcaster Tom Durkin will discuss his biography A Life’s Calling: The Voice Behind the World’s Greatest Horse Races, written by Durkin with Paul Volponi and Lenny Shulman, at 6 p.m. in the Hall of Fame. The event is free to attend.

In A Life’s Calling: The Voice Behind the World’s Greatest Horse Races, Durkin, alongside longtime racing writers Volponi and Shulman, shares his fascinating story. Readers will revel in his tales of life in the backwater stops of the Midwest learning horse racing among rickety grandstands and local hustlers, and of the day when he called the first Breeders’ Cup and ended up at an after-party surrounded by Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Cary Grant. Durkin also candidly recounts how the pressure to describe each race with flawless accuracy became too much, leading him to step away from the spotlight while still in his prime. Durkin will be available to sign copies of the book following his talk (books available for purchase).

Durkin will also be leading guided tours of the Museum each day from June 3 through June 5 at 11 a.m. These tours offer a rare behind-the-scenes perspective from the man who called 24 editions of the Belmont Stakes. This experience lasts one hour and includes a showing of the Museum’s signature film, What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame. Tickets are $25 for Museum members and $30 for the general public. Tickets may be purchased here:

Tom Durkin Belmont week tour tickets:

June 3: Tom Durkin Museum Tour Tickets
June 4: Tom Durkin Museum Tour Tickets
June 5: Tom Durkin Museum Tour Tickets

The Belmont Bash

Join us on Thursday, June 4, at the Canfield Casino at 7 p.m. for the Belmont Bash. The event will honor the connections of 2025 Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty: Godolphin, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and jockey Junior Alvarado.

The Belmont Bash will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres and stations by Mazzone Hospitality, an open bar featuring specialty cocktails, entertainment by Garland Nelson’s Soul Session, and an exclusive silent auction! Cocktails begin at 7 p.m. with dinner at 8 p.m. The event attire is racing/cocktail and valet parking service will be provided. Tickets can be purchased here: Belmont Bash tickets

Belmont Stakes Saturday Morning Social

The Belmont Stakes Saturday Morning Social (Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) will feature complimentary coffee and doughnuts courtesy of Stewart’s Shops and complimentary Saratoga Spring Water. Admission to the Museum is free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday Morning Social programming will include a presentation by S. R. Blackinton, the Official Creators of the Kentucky Derby Trophy (9:30 a.m.), followed by a special Belmont Stakes handicapping seminar (10 a.m.). Artist Greg Montgomery will be on hand throughout the morning to sign copies of his 2026 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes posters (available for purchase) and author Paul Halloran will be signing copies of his new book Cody’s Wish: A Boy, a Racehorse, and a Fight for Life (available for purchase).

Belmont Family Fun Fest, presented by the Will Smith Foundation  

The Belmont Family Fun Fest (Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), presented by the Will Smith Foundation and sponsored by MVP Health Care, will include games, food, animals, and more in a vibrant open house setting. Highlights will include a bounce house and slides; complimentary ice cream from Stewart’s; a hammer strike game with prizes; magical feats from the spectacular Mr. Twisty; a menagerie of animals; and a face painting station. There will also be paid food options from Ted’s Fish Fry. The event is open to all ages and is free to attend.

West Point Thoroughbreds Raffle to win a racehorse share

Enter the Museum’s West Point Thoroughbreds Raffle to win an ownership share in a West Point Thoroughbreds racehorse. Tickets cost $100 each and only 100 are being sold. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Museum (cash or check only).

The horse is a handsome, unraced 2-year-old colt by Solomini, the leading sire in New York and a top national second-crop stallion. A son of the legendary Curlin, Solomini has rapidly built an elite roster of runners, headlined by Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity winner Wynstock, multiple stakes winner My Shea D Lady, and standout performers such as Doc Sullivan, Soloshot, and National Identity. As a registered New York-bred, this colt is eligible for the lucrative New York Stallion Stakes Series. He is currently in Ocala, Fla., before joining the barn of trainer George Weaver, and is expected to compete on the New York racing circuit.

Oklahoma Training Track Tours

Find out why this beautiful and historic site, located across the street from Saratoga Race Course, is a favorite base for the nation’s leading trainers. Our behind-the-scenes tours, offered in cooperation with the New York Racing Association, will be available at 9 a.m. each day throughout the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. This walking tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and lasts for 90 minutes. Tours begin at the Museum and reservations are required. Oklahoma Training Track Tour: Purchase tickets here

Saratoga Race Course Walk of Fame

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame satellite facility at Saratoga Race Course’s Walk of Fame will be open daily during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The Belmont Stakes Trophy will be on display at the Walk of Fame on Friday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for guests to get their picture taken with.

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call (518) 584-0400 or visit our website at racingmuseum.org.

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