Alydar’s No Also-Ran at Hall of Fame : McCarron, Late Trainer Maloney, 2 Other Horses Also Inducted

Jockey Chris McCarron, the late trainer Jim W. Maloney and three horses--including Alydar, horse racing’s most famous also-ran--were inducted today into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

The mare Affectionately and the colt Black Gold were also inducted.

McCarron, 34, rode Horse of the Year Alysheba to seven victories last year, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He was the regular rider for both Alysheba and John Henry, who rank first and second, respectively, in all-time earnings.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” an emotional McCarron said in his induction speech. “So many wonderful things have happened to me. This is the icing on the cake.

“Only racing can do this to me,” McCarron said as he wiped away tears.

McCarron won Eclipse Awards in 1974 and 1980, joining Steve Cauthen as the only rider to win as both an apprentice and journeyman. McCarron has led the North American earnings list three times, and through 1988 he earned more than $100 million in purses.

Other champions ridden by McCarron include Precisionist, Turkoman, Lemhi Gold, Lord Avie and Sacahuista.

McCarron, accompanied by his wife, Judy, their three daughters and his brother, Greg, also a jockey, credited Greg with much of his success.

“Thanks, Greg. If it wasn’t for you, God only knows where I’d be right now. But it sure wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Maloney, son of flat and steeplechase trainer Edward Maloney, saddled 42 stakes winners in 49 years of training. He won the Travers Stakes with Loud in 1970 and finished 1-2 in the 1982 Alabama Stakes with Broom Dance and Too Chic.

Maloney, who died in 1984, also trained Proud Birdie, who won the Marlboro Cup in 1977 at odds of 41-1. The trainer’s award was accepted by his widow, Libby.

“This is a very emotional and exciting day for the Maloneys,” she said. “I only wish he was here to share it with us.”

Alydar, the sire of 1989 Belmont Stakes winner Easy Goer, finished second to Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races in 1978. Even though Affirmed also edged him in that summer’s Travers, Alydar ended up the winner when Affirmed was disqualified for interference and placed second.

Alydar won 14 of 26 starts, including 11 stakes, and earned $957,195 in his three-year career.