A group of Thoroughbred industry leaders will gather in Lexington Feb. 23 for a presentation about the launch of the Retired Racehorse Project's "Thoroughbred Makeover," it was announced Feb. 19.
The event will feature more than 300 recently retired Thoroughbred racehorses in training for 10 different equestrian disciplines. They will compete at the Kentucky Horse Park on the weekend before the Breeders' Cup World Championships for an estimated $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Monday's presentation begins at 11 a.m. ET at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington. Registration information here.
Presenters include Rosie Napravnik on the topic of Thoroughbred versatility and the importance of engaging riders in the process of training racehorses for new careers; Steuart Pittman and Carolyn Karlson of RRP on the status of entries for the Makeover and the format of the event; Stephanie Church of Blood-Horse Publications and The Horse magazine on a partnership to launch Off-Track Thoroughbred magazine; and Erin Crady of Thoroughbred Charities of America on how this event shifts the focus of Thoroughbred aftercare in a way that benefits both the horses and the industry.
Guests will be invited to comment, ask questions, and sign on to participate in the planning, promotion, and sponsorship of the Thoroughbred Makeover. The presentation will be followed by lunch and networking.
Facts about the Thoroughbred Makeover:
▪ The Thoroughbred Makeover takes place Oct. 23-25, 2015, at the Kentucky Horse Park.
▪ Entries opened Jan. 15. As of Feb. 15, 260 horses had been accepted with another 100 expected.
▪ Accepted entries are from 33 states and two Canadian provinces.
▪ Trainers are 52% professional, 36% amateur, and 12% junior.
▪ Entries are training for the following disciplines: dressage (105), show hunter (90), eventing (84), show jumper (72), trails (50), barrel racing (29), ranch work (21), fox hunting (16), polo (0 but recruiting), and freestyle (39) including driving, liberty, trick training, rodeo pickup, equine therapy, vaulting, and mounted shooting.
▪ Horses were acquired for the competition directly from racing connections (50%), non-profit aftercare organizations (27%), and private re-sellers (23%). All raced or trained to race in 2013 or 2014 and none had training in a second career before the start of this year.
▪ States or provinces leading in entries are New York (24), Pennsylvania (23), Maryland (21), Kentucky (17), and Ontario (16).
▪ Top states or provinces where entries were bred are Kentucky (83), Florida (33), New York (25), Pennsylvania (18), and Ontario (12).
▪ Average starts per horse is 22. Average earnings per horse is $53,655.
▪ Top earner is Eighttofasttocatch at $1,072,970.
