Racing Hall of Fame to induct West Coast trainer, former leading jockey, 19th century horse

Trainer, jock, horse headed to Racing Hall of Fame

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A longtime West Coast trainer, a leading jockey in the 1960s and ’70s, and a champion horse from the 1870s are the new inductees into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.

The hall announced Wednesday that trainer Michael Ernest “Buster” Millerick, jockey Don Pierce and thoroughbred Harry Bassett have been chosen for induction by the Historic Review Committee.

Millerick’s nearly 50-year career included seven seasons training Hall of Famer Native Diver, whose 37 wins included three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cups. Pierce rode for some of his era’s top trainers and led all North American jockeys with 32 stakes wins in 1973. Harry Bassett, a son of Lexington, was champion at age 2 in 1870 and unbeaten champion at 3.

The three are to be inducted August 13 along with horses Azeri, Best Pal and Point Given and jockey Randy Romero, who were chosen last month as contemporary inductees.