Racing Museum Names New Committee Chairs

Photos of D.G. Van Clief and Josh Pons provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has named D.G. Van Clief as chair of the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Nominating Committee and Josh Pons as chair of the Pillars of the Turf Committee.

With the new Hall of Fame committee chairs in place, museum leadership is beginning an evaluation of the overall Hall of Fame nomination and election process, including a review of the contemporary Hall of Fame voting panel.

Van Clief, who previously served as chair of the Pillars of the Turf Committee, succeeds the late Edward L. Bowen as chair of the Nominating Committee. Bowen chaired the Nominating Committee from 1987 through 2024 before passing away in January.

Van Clief is a member of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority Board of Directors and an advisory trustee of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. His leadership in racing has included stints as President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup; CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association; Chairman of Fasig-Tipton Co.; and CEO of Nydrie Stud (his family’s thoroughbred breeding and sales business). Other racing industry roles have included serving as a commissioner for the Virginia Racing Commission, including as chair; member and Board of Stewards for The Jockey Club; managing trustee for The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation; and BloodHorse Publications trustee and audit committee chair.

Pons is a third-generation Maryland horseman who owns and operates Country Life Farm and Merryland Farm with his brother, Mike Pons. He has served on the Pillars of the Turf Committee for the past two years and is a Museum advisory trustee. A two-time Eclipse Award-winning writer (1982, 1992), Pons is the author of three books about the thoroughbred industry. He is also a monthly contributor to BloodHorse magazine. His service to the industry includes two terms as president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. Pons is currently the head of the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center, and a board member of  the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.