Darrel McHargue finally gets Hall of Fame plaque

DEL MAR, Calif. – At long last, Darrel McHargue this week received his plaque for induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

McHargue was voted in by the Historic Review Committee, and was set to be honored in 2020. But the entire ceremony was canceled owing to COVID-19.

Then this year, when the Hall of Fame ceremony acknowledged both the classes of 2020 and 2021, McHargue was unable to attend.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

But on Wednesday, members of the Hall of Fame, which is located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., were in attendance at Del Mar and presented McHargue with his plaque in a winner’s circle ceremony prior to the fourth race. A video tribute chronicling his career produced by the Hall of Fame was shown on the big monitor in the infield.

McHargue, 67, won 2,553 races during a 17-race career that included a stint in Europe. In 1978, he was named champion jockey after setting a single-season record for purse earnings by a rider and leading all jockeys in stakes wins. He rode such outstanding horses as Ancient Title, John Henry, My Juliet, and Vigors, and won the 1975 Preakness aboard Master Derby.

McHargue, a steward since 1990, is the chief steward of the California Horse Racing Board.