by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Hambletonian, the most prolific and successful stallion ever to influence a breed, will be honored on the occasion of his 160th birthday, Sunday, May 17, at the Cranbury Museum in Cranbury, N.J.

Considered the “Great Father” of all trotters and pacers, even those racing today, Hambletonian will be feted with a birthday cake in his image, light refreshments, and appearances by race mascot Hambo Tony, past winners of the Hambletonian and a present-day trotter representing the great horse himself and his owner William Rysdyck. Events will take place on the museum grounds at 4 Park Place East in Cranbury.

The birthday celebration is open to the public from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and museum admission is free. The Cranbury museum is currently featuring an exhibit titled: The Hambletonian: It’s Trotters, their Connections and the Racing Event 1926-2009 and is open Sundays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. through May 31.

The exhibit features trophies, posters, memorabilia, ephemera and photographs from the 83 editions of the legendary race, including an award-winning video presentation created by The Meadowlands on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Hambletonian and narrated by Sports Illustrated’s Frank DeFord.

Born in 1849, Hambletonian raced just once, and that was against the clock. But his blood was so potent, and flowed so successfully through the 1,333 sons and daughters he fathered in his stallion career that today every horse in harness racing can trace their lineage back to Hambletonian.

His legacy was also carried forward when the Hambletonian Society, formed in 1925 to promote the breeding of Standardbreds, created a race named in his honor. Some 84 years later, the $1.5 million Hambletonian is the richest and most prestigious event for 3-year-old trotters in the world. It has been held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey for a record 28 years. This year’s race takes place on Saturday, August 8, and will be televised live on NBC.

For more information on the celebration, call the Hambletonian Society at (609) 371-3211. For historical information or to view some of the memorabilia items on display, visit www.hambletonian.org or www.cranburyhistory.org/museum.