Ray Kerrison, who reported on all facets of horse racing for the New York Post from 1977 until 2013, has been inducted into the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s Joe Hirsch Media Honor Roll. Alongside him, turf writer Edward L. Bowen and photographer Charles C.C. Cook will also receive these honors.
Kerrison, who pledged to “protect $2 bettors,” passed away in 2022 at the age of 92. He vividly captured both the excitement and the darker realities of thoroughbred racing, earning him great respect as a journalist in the sport. Known as a leading insider during horse racing’s “Golden Age,” Kerrison covered legendary events such as 32 Kentucky Derbies, the 1978 Belmont Stakes showdown between Affirmed and Alidar, Seattle Slew’s Triple Crown victory, the rise of American Pharoah, and many memorable races involving horses like Coastal, Charisma, Big Brown, and Victory Gallop.
He reported on iconic trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lucas early in their careers and witnessed numerous celebrated jockeys smiling in the winner’s circle, including Angel Cordero, Jorge Velasquez, and Eddie Maple. Kerrison was also present at the inaugural 1984 Breeders’ Cup and many subsequent editions. Importantly, he was fearless in exposing the sport’s scandals, even upsetting industry insiders by revealing race-fixing schemes such as the Cinzano scandal at Belmont Park, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize nomination for investigative journalism.
According to his son, Patrick Kerrison, Ray was known for standing firm and earning the trust of the players by relentlessly pursuing the truth and ensuring fair outcomes for horseplayers.
Fan Take: This recognition of Ray Kerrison highlights the vital role honest, fearless journalism plays in preserving the integrity and excitement of horse racing. His legacy reminds fans and industry insiders alike that transparency and truth are crucial for the sport’s continued growth and trustworthiness.
