The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, which represents both standardbreds and thoroughbreds, is seek

ing public nominations for both horses and people to be considered for induction in 2009.

Public nominations close on Wednesday, April 15 and those selected by the Nominating Committee for potential election will be announced on Monday, May 4.

Following the election process by the Election Committee, the 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees will be announced on Tuesday, May 19.

Inductees will be honoured at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala Dinner, held at the Mississauga Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on Thursday, August 27.

Effective with the 2009 Nominations & Elections, there are now four categories of inductees in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame as follows:

Male Horses: ‘Canadian-bred’ or horses ‘foreign-bred’ who have distinguished themselves while racing for Canadian interests and have raced at least once in Canada, or who have had an exceptional influence on Canadian horse breeding as sires.

Female Horses: ‘Canadian-bred’ or horses ‘foreign-bred’ who have distinguished themselves while racing for Canadian interests and have raced at least once in Canada, or who have had an exceptional influence on Canadian horse breeding as broodmares.

Persons: Jockeys, drivers, trainers and builders. Candidates nominated as jockeys or drivers shall have been ‘retired’ for at least two consecutive calendar years; or if they are ‘still active,' must have obtained their drivers or jockeys license at least 20 years prior to the year in which they are considered for nomination and be in at least their 50th year. Candidates nominated as trainers shall have been ‘retired’ for at least two consecutive calendar years; or, if they are ‘still active’ must have obtained their trainers’ license at least 20 years prior to the year in which they are considered for nomination and be in at least their 55th year. Builders are persons who include, but not limited to Breeders, Owners, Media and others who meet the eligibility of Article Four of the Rules & Regulations governing Nomination & Election to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Veterans: Veterans are horses, whether alive or deceased, whose careers concluded at least twenty (20) years prior to the year in which they are nominated.

All nominations must be made in writing, accompanied by detailed documentation that would support the nomination, and submitted to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, 1-2150 Meadowvale Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario. L5N 6R6, or by fax to 905-858-2442.

Deadline for 2009 public nominations is Wednesday, April 15.