​Every summer, the focus of the thoroughbred racing world shifts to Monmouth Park for the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes. Today, fans recognize it as a pivotal midsummer clash for elite three-year-olds and a key stepping stone toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but the race carries a deeper significance beyond the track. It stands as a living tribute to Amory L. Haskell, the man who played a decisive role in reviving thoroughbred racing in New Jersey. Born in 1893 into a prominent New Jersey family—his father held high-ranking executive positions at E.I. du Pont and General Motors—Amory Lawrence Haskell embodied the traits of a quintessential sportsman: a master of hounds, a refined aristocrat, and, above all, a relentless advocate for the sport he loved.
Haskell’s enduring legacy lies in his leadership during a watershed period for New Jersey racing. After a lengthy ban on parimutuel wagering had left the sport dormant, he mounted a tireless political and social campaign in the late 1930s to legalize betting and revive horse racing in the United States. When the modern Monmouth Park Jockey Club finally opened its gates in 1946, Haskell was named its first president and chairman, a role he held until his death in 1966. He dreamed of Monmouth as a resort-style track that could rival the glamour of established destinations like Saratoga and Del Mar, drawing crowds with the same allure as the nation’s premier seaside and summer venues.
To honor his extraordinary impact, Monmouth Park’s executives established a race in his name just two years after his passing. The inaugural running of the Haskell Stakes was won by Balustrade, trained by Morris H. Dixon, with the winner taking home a portion of the $75,000 purse. The race has evolved considerably since its birth in 1968. Originally conceived as the Haskell Invitational Handicap, it was designed for older horses. It wasn’t until 1981 that the track shifted the conditions, transforming it into a 1 1/8-mile race exclusively for three-year-olds, thereby attracting the best horses coming off the Triple Crown trail. In 2020, the “Invitational” designation was dropped, cementing its current status as the Haskell Stakes.
Over the years, the Haskell has been won by a who’s who of turf legends, underscoring its prestige and its place in racing history. Holy Bull (1994), Serena’s Song (1995), Skip Away (1996), Point Given (2001), Rachel Alexandra (2009), and American Pharoah (2015) are among the luminaries who have claimed the prize, adding to the race’s storied reputation. Monmouth Park, located in Oceanport, New Jersey, sits about 50 miles south of New York City and near the Jersey Shore. Opened in 1870, the historic racetrack has long been a cornerstone of the American racing calendar, hosting both Thoroughbred competition and some of the country’s most prestigious summer meetings.
Today, Monmouth Park is best known for the Haskell Stakes, a Grade 1 contest that routinely attracts contenders from the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, along with many of the sport’s leading trainers and jockeys. The venue’s enduring importance extends beyond a single race: it embodies a rich heritage, a revivalist spirit sparked by Amory L. Haskell, and a continuing commitment to showcasing top-tier equine athletics. The 2025 running of the Haskell added a notable highlight to its legacy, underscoring Monmouth Park’s ongoing relevance in the national racing landscape.