from the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame

Goshen, NY — From June 18 until July 19 The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, in Goshen, N.Y., will be featuring a special showing of the work of Richard A. Botto.

Botto, of Ridgefield Park, N.J., is an equine artist specializing in Standardbred champions. He has been commissioned by today’s leading owners and trainers to paint some of the greatest Standardbreds the world has seen, including 16 Hambletonian winners.

Botto will be on hand on Sunday, July 5, Hall of Fame Day, to greet visitors to his presentation, which will be installed in the Museum’s Carriage Room, discuss his work and accept new commissions.

One of Richard Botto’s most recent works was this painting of 2008 Trotter of the Year Deweycheatumnhowe.

Included in his career achievements, Botto was commissioned by The Hambletonian Society and the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority for The Meadowlands Racetrack to paint a commemorative poster for the 75th anniversary of the Hambletonian Stake, harness racing’s premier trotting event. His work has been on the covers and magazine editorials for such publications as Hoof Beats, Horse Source, Times in Harness, NJ Standardbred, Equine Images, The Chronicle of the Horse as well as many newspapers.

The Harness Racing Museum’s permanent collection includes original paintings by Botto of members of Harness Racing’s Hall of Fame: pacer Niatross, winner of more than $2 million lifetime who passed away in 1999, and trotter Moni Maker, whose earnings were well over $5.5 million. She retired as the richest Standardbred in history and is now a successful broodmare.

Other significant works by Botto are displayed throughout the Museum and in the William R. Haughton Memorial Hall as well as held in private collections throughout the United States and Europe.

Many of the Hambletonian winners painted by Botto appearing in the exhibit are on loan from private owners especially for the duration of this exhibition and new works, recently completed by Botto, will also be on display and available for purchase. Botto will be donating a portion of the proceeds of all sales to the Museum’s educational programming.

Those subjects likely to be on display in the Museum’s Carriage Room are Deweycheatumnhowe, Donato Hanover, Windsong’s Legacy, Yankee Paco, Muscles Yankee, Malabar Man, Continentalvictory, Victory Dream, Giant Victory, American Winner, Harmonious, Armbro Goal, Mack Lobell, Shiaway St Pat, Park Avenue Joe and Probe.

Other champions painted by Botto include Somebeachsomewhere, Forrest Skipper, Lindy Lane, CR Kay Suzie, Armbro Prowess, Albatross, Bettor’s Delight, Falcon Almahurst, Varenne, Anderberg, Windylane Hanover and Andover Hall.

The paintings of several of these significant Standardbreds will also be available for viewing and for purchase.

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame is located at 240 Main Street in Goshen, N.Y., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour 4:00 p.m.). Thanks to US Trotting Association support the Museum is currently offering free admission for walk-in visitors and $4.00/person for group docent-guided tours. For information on the Museum, special events, gift shop services and educational programs, please call 845.294.6330 or visit www.harnessmuseum.com.