Five new individuals have been inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame, as originally reported by Paulick Report. The 2025 class will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, July 11th in Shakopee, Minnesota. This year’s inductees include Excelsior Thoroughbred owner Joseph Novo Gratz, former jockey and current trainer Nick Goodwin, retired Karin Offerman, Media Relations Manager Jeff Madley, and Renaway To Runaway, a distinguished Minnesota-bred mare. These five join over 50 other notable figures and horse groups celebrated for their significant contributions to Minnesota horse racing.
Joseph Novo Gratz has been involved in horse racing for over 30 years, boasting five major owner titles at Canterbury from 2016 to 2019 and again last season. His stable’s two-year-olds dominated the Shakopee Boy race consecutively from 2017 to 2019, and his horses have earned victories in prestigious stakes such as the Curtis Sampson Oaks, Victor S. Myers, Francis Gentle, and the Minnesota Derby.
Nick Goodwin, with a successful 30-year career, stands out as a dependable jockey and a skilled trainer of thoroughbred foals in Ocala, Florida. He holds notable records at Canterbury, including four wins as a quarter horse rider and achieving top rankings in total horse victories and earnings. Hailing from the White Earth Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota, Goodwin was honored with induction into the North American Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
Renaway To Runaway set new standards for Minnesota-bred mares with a remarkable career spanning 2018 to 2022. Crowned Minnesota Horse of the Year in 2020, she earned over $533,400, winning all 14 of her races in Minnesota. Her victories ranged from six furlongs to a mile and one-sixth, including a notable winning streak that began with a Francis Ghent stakes win in 2019 and continued with four consecutive championships at the Minnesota Disaf Classic.
Karin Offerman was a pioneer in Minnesota horse racing, registering the first three state-run horses with the Minnesota Racing Commission in 1984. She operated one of the state’s earliest thoroughbred farms and played a key role as a longtime board member and president of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association, helping revitalize the racetrack when it reopened in 1994. Offerman also chaired the Breeders Fund Advisory Committee and has been an active owner and breeder at Canterbury since its opening in 1985.
Jeff Madley, the Media Relations Manager at Canterbury, has been instrumental in promoting the racetrack’s stories and events to the public since the track resumed operations in 1994. Starting as a groom before moving to media relations, Madley continues to play a vital role in the daily workings of Canterbury Park.
The Canterbury Park Hall of Fame, founded in 1995, honors individuals and horses who have made lasting contributions to Minnesota’s horse racing scene. A selection committee comprising local jockey organizations, media, and Canterbury Park representatives chooses the inductees. The new members will be officially recognized during the Hall of Fame night race this Saturday.
Fan Take: This induction class highlights the rich heritage and ongoing dedication within Minnesota horse racing, offering inspiring stories of success and commitment. Recognizing these champions not only honors their achievements but also helps nurture the sport’s future by motivating fans, owners, and participants alike.
