Page 80 - July 2015

Ruidoso Downs’
RACEHORSE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
The 2015 class of owner/breeder Jerry Windham, trainer Russell Harris, jockey James Dreyer and the horse Mr Jess Perry was inducted into the Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame on June 26 at Ruidoso Downs.
“It was a celebratory night filled with comraderie,” said Ty Wyant, Hall of Fame curator and the night’s Master of Ceremonies. “It’s an excellent 2015 class with an historic horse and three men who not only suc- ceeded in horseracing, but gave back to racing.”
Breeder/owner Jerry Windham, the 50th president of the American Quarter Horse Association, bred World Champion Stolis Winner, among many others. Alabama native Russell Harris has found success across the U.S., training such horses as 4-time Champion Florentine. Harris, who has won at least one Grade 1 race in each of the latest four decades, served four terms on the AQHA Racing Council and on numerous AQHA committees. James Dreyer, who rode World Champion Charger Bar and won the first Rainbow Futurity aboard Double Queen, has worked as a steward at Los Alamitos since his retirement as a race official at the California track.
2-time Champion Mr Jess Perry earned nearly $700,000 on the track. He is one of only three stallions with the earners of more than $46 million, including World Champion Apollitical Jess and seven additional Champions. Mr Jess Perry is the broodmare sire of nearly $40 million and was the leading broodmare sire in 2014 with his daughters producing over $5.3 million.
Every year, one owner/breeder, trainer, jockey and horse are inducted into the Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame, which is located at Ruidoso Downs and is open during racing days with no admission charge.
Dr. Glenn Blodgett, representing the
6666 Ranch and
Mr Jess Perry,
trainer Russell Harris, jockey James Dreyer, and owner/breeder
Jerry Windham stand next to the cases holding their memorabilia in
the Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame.
Master of Ceremonies Ty Wyant
78 SPEEDHORSE, July 2015