Retired Racehorse Project

06/20/2024

WOW! Thank you to all who have donated to Fund-a-Need this week and doubled their impact with the June $1,000 match for volunteer lunches and coffee!

We are 63% of the way to securing this $1,000 match pledge from a generous anonymous donor! For June, these funds are doubling donations made specifically for volunteer lunch ($13) and coffee ($3). You won't find a deal this good anywhere: buy one volunteer lunch and the match pledge means you paid for two!

Make your Fund-a-Need donation now and help us get 100% of the way to our June goal: https://bit.ly/3KRFyy9

06/20/2024

VENDORS: there's still time to book your booth at the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover!

Put your brand in front of our engaged and passionate audience of equestrians with a vendor booth. The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover runs October 9-12 at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Booths line the concourse of the TCA Covered Arena, the heart of the action at the event, and once again we plan on an evening event to drive traffic to the vendor fair.

Learn more and start your booth application process now at https://bit.ly/3z9dKCN

06/19/2024

NEW article in the RRP Education Library!

Thoroughbreds can sustain fractures on the racetrack due to their high-intensity work during training and racing. While fractures might raise concerns about the future performance of off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), acquiring such an injury on the track does not necessarily preclude a horse from having a successful second career.

In this article we’ll review the most frequently diagnosed fracture types in Thoroughbred racehorses and how they could affect the horses’ soundness and athleticism. Read now in the free RRP Education Library:

Thoroughbred racehorses can often have successful second careers after fractures, given proper rest, treatment and recovery.

06/18/2024

“The response we received when we announced this pilot program back in 2023 made it so clear that our industry was in need of appropriate outlets for retiring Thoroughbred broodmares. We’re proud to contribute to improving outcomes for this special population of horses, and commend Claiborne and Lane’s End for their leadership and commitment to these horses.”
--RRP executive director Kirsten Green

We're pleased to announce today that Claiborne Farm and Lane's End Farm have committed to a co-sponsorship of the Former Broodmare division at the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA).

First run as a pilot program in 2023, the Former Broodmare division is now an official competition avenue at the Thoroughbred Makeover, welcoming recently-retired broodmares to compete alongside the traditional retiring racehorse division in all ten offered disciplines. Broodmares will be pinned and recognized separately, and compete for a separate pot of $10,000 in prize money.

Read more:

First run as a pilot program in 2023, the Former Broodmare division is now an official competition avenue at the Thoroughbred Makeover.

06/17/2024

‼️ Our first in a series of monthly matches thank to the generosity of an anonymous donor BEGINS NOW ‼️

Up to $1,000 will be matched through the end of June for donations made to support VOLUNTEER COFFEE and VOLUNTEER LUNCHES via our Fund-a-Need campaign. For just $3, you can buy a Makeover volunteer a cp of coffee, and for $13, you can support a volunteer lunch -- and with the match, you'll be supporting TWO!

Make your donation now and double your impact at https://bit.ly/3VowRQV

06/14/2024

Let’s introduce more hopefuls with sights set on the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for former racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover! The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the biggest movement in aftercare and serves as a gathering for the individuals and organizations who work in this industry, as well as an inspiration for more equestrians to partner with a Thoroughbred for their next mount.

Ashley Bielby and Littemissattitude, better known as Addy, are spotted smiling after a lesson with veteran Makeover trainer Samantha Fawcett. They are beginning “bootcamp” to gear up for the Show Hunter and Show Jumper disciplines at the Thoroughbred Makeover in October, in the Former Broodmare division!

Littlemissattitude (Alphabet Soup - Rucielo, by Rubiano) is a 2009 mare bred by Stonecliff Farm in Florida. She had 24 starts, earning over $45,000 with her last race on July 30, 2015 at Presque Isle Downs. After racing, Littlemissattitude had four foals, three of which successfully raced. Two foals are retired from the track, while one continues to race. Her 2023 foal is being prepped for his future racing career. Ashley Bielby sourced Littlemissattitude direct from breeding connections.

Learn more about this horse at https://bit.ly/3VlSrp7

06/13/2024

The Retired Racehorse Project was honored to receive the United Horse Coalition’s Unity Award, and received the award in person at the American Horse Council’s luncheon in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, June 11!

The Unity Award recognizes an individual or organization that meets the following criteria:
➡️ An active member of the United Horse Coalition for two or more years, in good standing
➡️ Taken the initiative to be involved in, and work towards programs that promote responsible ownership and breeding, and/or programs that support horses at-risk or in transition and their owners
➡️ Used their industry relationships to work collaboratively to further strengthen and promote the mission of the United Horse Coalition

We're grateful to those who nominated us for this award and to the United Horse Coalition and American Horse Council for the recognition!

L-R: RRP Program Assistant Molly Hutchison, RRP Program Manager Rayna Erasmus, RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green, American Horse Council President Julie Broadway, RRP Board Chair Neil Agate

06/13/2024

“The public response that we got when we piloted the Former Broodmare division in 2023 made it clear that there is a need for support for this unique population, as there is a very limited number of entities working in this space. Mareworthy has been invaluable in structuring a comprehensive syllabus for this event, and we’re hoping to equip those in aftercare and prospective owners or adopters with the information they need to feel confident working with broodmares.” --RRP executive director Kirsten Green

Mareworthy and the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) jointly announced today the hosting of the Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium on July 10, 2024 at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, KY. The symposium is designed to provide education for trainers and riders about the unique needs of former Thoroughbred broodmares through demonstrations and panel discussions.

Learn more about symposium sessions and get tickets now:

The symposium will take place on July 10, 2024 at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, KY.

06/12/2024

In addition to increasing the value of horses retiring from racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is making its own economic impact on the aftercare industry: over $6.1 MILLION was invested by Makeover trainers in the care, maintenance and training of their horses for the 2023 competition. Since 2013, that total cumulative amount invested by participating trainers is over $40.6 million.

That's a total of over $6.1 million in 2023 that did NOT have to be invested into care, maintenance or retraining by aftercare organizations or for-profit entities, freeing up a significant amount of funding to apply instead to the rehoming, rehabilitation and retraining of more horses retiring from racing. The work of the Retired Racehorse Project and the impact of the Thoroughbred Makeover is therefore much further-reaching than the horses participating directly.

Learn more about our impact and support our work at https://bit.ly/4aWq3Q1

06/11/2024

Your horse’s back is more than just a place to sit. It’s a complex structure that impacts how efficiently he moves, whether he’s sound and if he’s comfortable while working. But, like any other part of the horse’s musculoskeletal system, it’s subject to tightness, discomfort and injury, all of which can have a significant impact on a horse’s performance.

Off-track Thoroughbreds’ (OTTBs) backs are no exception. So to help you start your new OTTB off on the right foot or to keep your current horse’s back healthy, we’ve consulted a veterinarian who has extensive experience working with OTTBs, along with representatives from two Thoroughbred aftercare and adoption facilities, to find out why back health is important, how to treat issues and how to maintain a healthy back.

Read more in the free RRP Education Library:

Some Thoroughbreds come off the track with tight or painful backs

06/10/2024

“We’re exceedingly grateful for the donation match that has been pledged to our Fund-a-Need campaign this year. The Makeover is much more than a horse show: it’s a movement of people committed to showcasing the versatility, athleticism and trainability of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and securing their place in non-racing careers. Fund-a-Need allows us to continue to provide the necessary resources to produce the event and foster meaningful community through the Makeover experience.”
--RRP development manager Megan Garlich

The Retired Racehorse Project announced today that thanks to the generosity of a donor who wished to remain anonymous, $4,500 will be matched throughout the summer in contributions to the Fund-a-Need campaign. This pledged contribution will be matched in a series of monthly fundraisers, spotlighting individual needs that can be supported through the overall campaign and doubling the impact of donations.

Read more:

This pledged contribution will be matched in a series of monthly fundraisers to double the impact of donations.

06/07/2024

Happy Belmont Stakes weekend! We're looking forward to this unique running of the Belmont at Saratoga.

We've never had a Belmont Stakes runner contend the Thoroughbred Makeover... but we HAVE had a winner of the G2 Woody Stephens Stakes, part of the Belmont day card! The Maryland-bred Still Having Fun competed in 2023 in Dressage and Competitive Trail with a team of trainers from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, where he had been placed through Beyond the Wire after his retirement from racing.

Still Having Fun (Old Fashioned - Casual Kiss, by Dehere) is a 2015 gelding bred by Mr. & Mrs. Charles McGinnes & Tim Keefe. He sold as a yearling for $12,000, and went on to a 37-start career including six wins for total earnings of $641,137. His win in the 2018 Woody Stephens earned him a 110 Beyer. Still Having Fun contended many graded and black type stakes through 2020, then dropped the racing ranks, eventually running as a claimer before retiring in early 2023 at Laurel Park after one last win.

06/06/2024

Let’s introduce more hopefuls with sights set on the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for former racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover! The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the biggest movement in aftercare and serves as a gathering for the individuals and organizations who work in this industry, as well as an inspiration for more equestrians to partner with a Thoroughbred for their next mount.

To prepare for the Thoroughbred Makeover, Olivia Stallings and Bagginshire, better known as Kevin, have been traveling all around North Carolina for exposure trips. Locations include Bob Martin Eastern Ag Center, Cool Breeze Stables and Cedar Rock Farm.

Bagginshire (Flintshire (GB) - Shezasmittenkitten, by Catienus) is a 2020 gelding from Indiana bred by Captain Jack Racing Stable. He had two starts on the track winning a little over $500, last racing for his breeders under trainer Anthony J. Granitz. Bagginshire’s last race was July 13, 2023 at Horseshoe Indianapolism finishing in 11th. Olivia Stallings bought him directly from his racing connections.

Learn more about this horse at https://bit.ly/3yQF8Fx

06/05/2024

Thoroughbred aftercare is a vast, multi-faceted industry that includes players in both the non-profit and business spaces. Listing agents or services are one of those roles that can act both as non-profits and businesses, offering flexibility for helping racing connections place horses upon racing.

Listing agents or services typically do not take ownership of individual horses, but will share information about available horses who are retiring from racing with their networks of web- or social media-based horse shoppers, usually connecting buyers directly with connections to facilitate the sale. Business-based agents may take a commission or listing fee for their services; others operate as non-profits and may or may not require a donation for services.

The Retired Racehorse Project is uniquely placed as the only organization that works with all branches of Thoroughbred aftercare to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. Learn more about the landscape of aftercare at https://bit.ly/3Xa3RyA

06/04/2024

In this recurring column in the free RRP Education Library, a featured trainer answers common questions about retraining the off-track Thoroughbred for a new career. Read former jockey/current professional Alice Beckman's response to the common question: "How do I get a clean lead change from my OTTB under saddle?"

Read more:

Alice Beckman draws on racing knowledge to explain how to cue for a lead change.

06/03/2024

“The RRP has identified tracking and recognizing the accomplishments of Thoroughbred sport horses in a comprehensive way as being crucial to furthering our mission to increase demand for the breed, so we’re starting in earnest with Makeover graduates. We know Makeover graduates have gone on to compete at the upper levels of sport, contribute to sport horse breeding programs, serve as faithful trail mounts, and everything in between – and it’s time to better capture and celebrate those accomplishments. The retooling of the Bill Kraatz Ambassador Award is the perfect opportunity to do so.” --RRP executive director Kirsten Green

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that the reimagined Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award is now open for nominations for 2024. An original Thoroughbred Makeover award, the Ambassador Award has gone through several iterations since 2015; since 2022, it has served as a memorial award for beloved chief steward Bill Kraatz, recognizing exceptional horsemanship exhibited by a trainer during Thoroughbred Makeover week. The award will continue as the Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award, and is now designed to recognize a Thoroughbred Makeover graduate horse which has gone on to serve as an ambassador for the athleticism and trainability of the retired racehorse in its career beyond racing.

Read more and learn how to nominate: https://bit.ly/3V6vUwe

05/31/2024

Let’s introduce more hopefuls with sights set on the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for former racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover! The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the biggest movement in aftercare and serves as a gathering for the individuals and organizations who work in this industry, as well as an inspiration for more equestrians to partner with a Thoroughbred for their next mount.

Team TuckerBerries, consisting of Kate Rakowski and Juliana May, working together to prepare their hopeful mount Skellig, better known as Skelly. Kate works as the trainer, while Juliana is his amateur owner. They have been out and about to a combined test and jumper shows located in Virginia. Team entry allows multiple trainers to work together with one horse entry to share the experience!

Skellig (Girvin - Sarah Cataldo, by Smarty Jones) is a 2020 gelding from Florida. He sold twice through public auction at OBS - Ocala Breeders' Sales, first as a yearling for $8,000 and then as a two-year-old for $235,000. His racing career was brief, consisting of only two races where he earned a total of $12,000. His most recent race was at Belmont on Sept. 18, 2022, finishing in fourth. Skellig is owned by Julianna May and was sourced through New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

Julianna is raising money for the RRP through the Make the Makeover campaign: can you contribute and help her earn back her entry fee? Click the Make the Makeover badge at https://bit.ly/3yQU0Uc

05/30/2024

It's so much more than a participant ribbon: it's often one of the most treasured mementos of the Makeover experience by our trainers! You can help fund this memorable piece of the journey for as little as a $4 donation: make your contribution at https://bit.ly/450hsdI

Here's what trainer Lindy Gutman had to say about why her participant ribbon is so important to her:

"I still have mine. They are on display at Farmacy Brewing, with a win picture from one of his two Maryland Million wins, a picture of us jumping, and a graphic of his silks. Farmacy is located on the farm where Talk Show Man was born, raised and initially retired. They have also named a beer after him.

"So what do they mean to me? The beginning of a fantastic partnership with a horse who is now my best friend. That they are on display serves to remind me that many others are proud of him as well."

05/29/2024

“Giving riders and owners the tools and resources to be successful with Thoroughbreds is essential to the RRP’s mission. We have always been cognizant of the commitment of resources that trainers make when they sign on to participate in the Makeover, and the addition of these clinics represent our commitment to delivering value to our participants, and creating opportunities for success.”
--Kirsten Green, RRP executive director

The RRP announced today that its banner event, the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, will add a day of clinics and guided schooling opportunities to Makeover participants on Friday, October 11 during the largest retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses.

Clinics and guided schooling will be offered at the conclusion of preliminary competition for horses and their trainers that did not qualify for the Finale Championships, and will be offered in the disciplines of dressage, show hunter, show jumper, and ranch work. Clinics will follow a traditional format of a small group working with the clinician, who will be a judge from preliminary competition, while guided schooling will be short individual sessions allowing trainers and horses the opportunity to ride the course with input from the judge.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4aCZsaO

05/28/2024

We're grateful to board members Tom and Clare Mansmann at Pacific Farms Incorporated for hosting a workshop that benefitted the RRP over the weekend!

Seven horse and rider pairs participated in this interactive and individualized workshop, including ground work, flat work and grid work. A variety of horse and rider experiences were represented, including some Makeover gradates and some Makeover hopefuls.

Proceeds from the workshop were donated to the RRP, and our hats are off to the Mansmanns for this creative approach to fundraising!

05/27/2024

NEW in the free RRP Education Library: As hay season is underway in many parts of North America, now is the time to empower yourself with knowledge so you can make the best decisions for your OTTB. Read "Selecting the Best Hay For Your OTTB" now:

Understand the differences in hay available to your off-track Thoroughbred

05/25/2024

Thoroughbred aftercare is a vast, multi-faceted industry that includes players in both the non-profit and business spaces. Track-based rehoming programs provide a crucial service in the industry, networking horses from their racing connections to organizations, businesses and individuals who can transition those horses into careers beyond racing. These programs may be based at individual tracks, or work on a state or jurisdiction level.

Track-based rehoming programs each work on a unique model that fits the particular environment in which they operate, but generally function as non-profit organizations. They may be funded entirely on donations, but also may be funded by mandatory takeouts or pledges. Some organizations work entirely with accredited non-profit aftercare organizations while others network with businesses or individuals to provide transitional care and training.

The Retired Racehorse Project is uniquely placed as the only organization that works with all branches of Thoroughbred aftercare to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. Learn more about the landscape of aftercare at https://bit.ly/44V2IwM

05/24/2024

Let’s introduce more hopefuls with sights set on the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for former racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover! The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the biggest movement in aftercare and serves as a gathering for the individuals and organizations who work in this industry, as well as an inspiration for more equestrians to partner with a Thoroughbred for their next mount.

Adult amateur trainer Ariah Transmeier and Irish Blue, otherwise known as Glen, have been hard at work creating a bomb-proof trail horse. They go on weekly trail excursions in their home state of Texas, as well as some trail and obstacle clinics. They competed at a local buckle series on May 11 to place fourth in the Green Horse division.

Irish Blue (Double Irish - Jesse’s Giacomo, by Giacomo) is a 2020 gelding bred by Lanetta Haas & Martin Brothers, Inc in Arkansas. His last published work took place on Nov. 17, 2023 at Re*****on Park; however, he was unraced. He was sourced via Kristina Aaron at Reciprocity Thoroughbreds.

Learn more about this horse in his profile at https://bit.ly/irish-blue

05/23/2024

Alongside our friends at After The Races, we're grateful to have been named a beneficiary of Resolute Farm & Racing's Poker For Ponies tournament that took place during Kentucky Derby week! We split the win with ATR thanks to the skills of our designated players Jimmy Gladwell, representing Taylor Made Fam, and Gavin O'Connor, representing Resolute Racing.

“The RRP is honored to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Poker For Ponies tournament amongst many other worthy aftercare organizations, and we are proud to share in the winning outcome with After the Races,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “With this tournament, John Stewart has shown that there are innovative and impactful ways to support the work of a variety of aftercare organizations, and we look forward to supporting the tournament in the future.”

Read more:

ATR and the RRP jointly announced their gratitude and appreciation for splitting the win in Resolute Racing’s Poker For Ponies Tournament earlier this month on May 1.

05/22/2024

The Retired Racehorse Project's impact is far broader than just the horses who participate annually in the Thoroughbred Makeover: educating both the racing and equestrian industries about the unique needs and challenges of transitioning Thoroughbreds to careers beyond racing is a critical cornerstone of our work to increase demand for the breed.

To that end, we offer a free Education Library on our website, with 200 articles and webinars (and counting!) on a variety of topics, from evaluating prospects to care and nutrition to training. The extensive track life section of the library takes a deep dive into the Thoroughbred's background during his racing days to illuminate everything these horses already know and experience before their second careers. New articles are added monthly.

Learn more about our impact and support our work at https://bit.ly/4aul9K4

05/21/2024

We are honored to be the beneficiary of this workshop created by our board members Tom and Clare Mansmann of Pacific Farms Incorporated!

Geared towards the needs of the individual horse and rider teams that will be participating, this workshop will include groundwork, flatwork and cavaletti or gymnastics. Participants need not be Thoroughbreds, but this is certainly a great outing for graduates or hopefuls! A limited number of school horses are also available.

See more information and the registration link below.

Have you registered for our Retired Racehorse Project Benefit Workshop on May 25th yet??? In Hume, VA, Tom and Clare Mansmann are hosting a day of learning, demos, discussion, and lunch (goodie and gift bags for participants as well!!), entirely benefitting the RRP!!

*NOTE* You do not have to bring a TB Makeover horse in any way, shape, or form, or even a Thoroughbred! We will be discussing the OTTB, certainly, but this workshop will be tailored to participants, and financially benefitting the RRP, and we are so happy to be able to support our favorite organization!

In addition, we are helping to pilot the organizational endeavors of our longtime friends at The Pegasus App!!! The mobile app is ALMOST ready, but please use the following link via desktop and not mobile in order to register!!!

All details, schedule, and pricing, including auditing tickets, are available NOW!! 👇🏽

https://events.thepegasus.app/events-details/WUYlvZZrVqKdCCfY54b9

( 📸 Make It Right Photography)

05/21/2024

A message from our sponsor The United States Pony Clubs Inc., (USPC) Official Page:

Join Pony Club for Your Journey with Horses! The United States Pony Clubs offers education on horse care and riding for ALL ages and experience levels, fun with 10+ disciplines, competitions (some with TIP awards), friendships, and hands-on mounted and unmounted opportunities. Find a club or center near year at https://bit.ly/rrpsoc-ponyclub.

05/20/2024

Calling a horse a "hard keeper" is sometimes used to excuse horses that are underweight or under-conditioned -- but there's no reason that a true hard keeper needs to be thin. Here are some quick tips from the RRP Education Library, our free resource for Thoroughbred lovers and those who transition them to careers beyond racing.

Read now:

While some Thoroughbreds are harder keepers than other breeds or individuals, there's no need for them to stay thin. Here are some tips for building a good diet for your hard keeper.

05/17/2024

Happy Preakness weekend! No mention of the second jewel of the Triple Crown can be made without honoring our first-ever America's Most Wanted Thoroughbred (now known as Thoroughbred Makeover Champion)... ICABAD CRANE!

Icabad Crane finished third in the 2008 Preakness Stakes, and returned to Pimlico in 2014 to compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover. In the shadow of the wire where his previous run for glory had come up just lengths short, he wowed spectators with his athleticism and adjustability with Olympian and 5* eventer Phillip Dutton in the irons, then his gentleness and overall rideability when Dutton's young daughter hopped aboard. He was the inaugural winner of the vote-in award America's Most Wanted Thoroughbred, and went on to a varied career in eventing, field hunting and a bit of time as a pony horse for his former racing trainer Graham Motion.

Icabad Crane (Jump Start - Adorahy, by Rahy) is a 2005 gelding bred in New York by Gallagher's Stud. he sold first as a yearling at Saratoga for $65,000, then again as a two-year-old at OBS for $110,000. Trained by Motion for owner Earle I. Mack LLC, Icabad Crane had a fairly long career, making a total of 33 starts with seven wins and career earnings of $585,980. He won multiple stakes and was also multiple graded stakes placed.

Icabad Crane's story reminds us that every racehorse deserves a solid aftercare plan for life after the track. The RRP works to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing: support our work at https://bit.ly/4ahein6

05/16/2024

Let’s introduce more hopefuls with sights set on the largest and most lucrative retraining competition for former racehorses, the Thoroughbred Makeover! The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the biggest movement in aftercare and serves as a gathering for the individuals and organizations who work in this industry, as well as an inspiration for more equestrians to partner with a Thoroughbred for their next mount.

While Goldencents might be in the news recently as the sire of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, we're also admiring this Goldencents offspring: Kayla Patton Legge and Brook is Golden, known around the barn as "King," have been busy over this past month! They recently went cross-country schooling at a friend’s house, went to King’s first show, and attended two clinics with Jon Holling and Harriet McCord. At that first mini-trial, Kayla and King placed fourth in the Baby Starter division! Congratulations to this team for putting in so much hard work before the Makeover in October.

Brook is Golden (Goldencents - Brook’s Secrets, by Henny Hughes) is a 2017 gelding bred in Louisiana by T L Holyfield Racing Stable LLC. He made a total of 39 starts with one win and over $39,000 in earnings. His most recent race took place on Nov. 20, 2023 at Fair Grounds for owner Natalie Singh under trainer Darla S. Singh. He was sourced through Jade Favre.

Learn more about this horse: https://bit.ly/4bJDoMB