All-time money-earning Quarter Horse rider G.R. Carter Jr.; trainer Ted Wells, Jr.; stakes horse breeders Jerry, Dale and Harvey Allred (Allred Brothers); and champion runner Strawberry Silk were inducted into the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Saturday, June 28 at the New Mexico track.

G.R. Carter, Jr., the first active jockey inducted into the Hall of Fame, became Quarter racing’s all-time leading rider last summer, when he won the All American Futurity on Stolis Winner and surpassed $47 million in career earnings. The Oklahoma native, with 273 stakes wins, is on course to surpass $50 million this year.

Ted Wells, Jr. won the 1965 All American Futurity with Savannah Jr, and trained major stakes winners Bob’s Folly, Easter Rose and Lena’s Bar for legendary horseman Walter Merrick. His Wells Ranch in Alex, OK served as the breeding home of many leading sires, including Azure Te (TB), one of Quarter racing’s first syndicated stallions.

The Allred Brothers breeding operation, based in Mesa, Arizona, produced such distinguished runners as 2002 All American Futurity winner and two-time champion AB What A Runner, as well as leading sire Walk Thru Fire. The brothers also owned and raced Mark T Bars, who won a record 64 races. Jerry, the only surviving brother, continues the Allred Brothers breeding program today.

Strawberry Silk, by Beduino (TB), won the All American Futurity and was runner up in the Kansas and Rainbow Futurities for Jacqueline Spencer of Alto, New Mexico. Now owned by David and Susan Mackie, the former 2-year-old champion has produced four stakes winners, including champion and All American Derby winner Stoli, the sire of 2008 All American Futurity winner Stolis Winner.

Photo from left, Wynona Brooks, Jack Brooks, David and Susan Mackie (representing Strawberry Silk), Ted Wells Jr., Vicki Wells, Jerry Allred, G.R. Carter Jr. and Shaena Carter.