Kentucky Horse Park

Editor's Note: Go for Gin, winner of the 1994 GI Kentucky Derby and a former Bonita Farm stallion, died this week at age 31. In 2011 my partner in Go for Gin, Joe Cornacchia, who was a true pillar of the sport and the old-style owner who, like myself, cared about the retirement of his horses, asked that I contact the Kentucky Horse Park about his placement there. Many thanks to the Park for his care during his last 10 years. Ironically, he lived next door to another stud at...

Go For Gin (Cormorant--Never Knock, by Stage Door Johnny), who was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, passed away Tuesday due to heart failure at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had lived since retiring from stud duty in June 2011. The 31-year-old won the 1994 Kentucky Derby and was second behind Tabasco Cat in both that year's GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S. "We're honored that Go For Gin was an ambassador of the park for nearly 12 years," said Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director Lee Carter. "As...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has accepted 482 trainers, including both individuals and team members, to the 2022 class of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). The Makeover returns to its single-year format in 2022 after the postponement of the 2020 event led to a "double" Makeover in 2021, with two competition years running simultaneously. The 2022 Makeover will take place Oct. 12-15, 2022 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Open to professionals, juniors, amateurs, and teams, the Thoroughbred Makeover is a...

Dual GI Breeders' Cup Mile Winner, Da Hoss (Gone West--Jolly Saint, by Welsh Saint) died at the Kentucky Horse Park Jan. 2. At the age of 30, the gelding passed away due to infirmities of old age.  Da Hoss had been living at the Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000. "We will miss Da Hoss greatly. He was a fan favorite as he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity," said Nicole Rivera, Interim Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "I would like to extend a special thank...

Thoroughbred Charities of America is now accepting applications for the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. Applications will be accepted through the close of business Jan. 21 and accepted trainers will be announced by Feb. 15. The 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover Rulebook outlines all rules and information relevant to the competition, with changes for 2022 marked in red and clarifying information marked in blue. Interested applicants can start the process now by clicking on the Trainer Portal at tbmakeover.org. The Thoroughbred Makeover features competition in 10 disciplines for recently retired Thoroughbreds...

Multiple equine organizations in Kentucky have joined forces to assist horse owners who have been affected by last week's tornado outbreak. Equine and ag-specific donations will be accepted at the Kentucky Horse Park Dec. 18-20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Signage will point donors to the exact location behind the Alltech Arena. Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) employees and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment extension agents have been working diligently to create county-specific lists of items that are needed immediately. Though cleanup efforts will...

Tickets for the EQUUS Evolution theatrical performance, the evening showcase of the EQUITANA USA trade fair and expo, are on sale now at www.equitanausa.com. The performances will be held in Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 1-3. The 90-minute performance will include appearances from performing arts trainer and championship competitor Mario Contreras with special appearances include the American Vaulting Association's Lynn Palm and Nic Roldan. Highlighting the artistic vision of Chanel Rhodes, select performances at the evdent will include unique equine attire. The full EQUITANA USA day programming...

Tickets are on sale for EQUITANA USA, scheduled for Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The event hosts equestrian professionals and enthusiasts of all riding levels, ages, disciplines and breeds. Each session will feature education, entertainment and a trade fair featuring riding equipment and apparel, horse care supplies, gifts, etc. For more information, visit www.equitanausa.com.

The inaugural Equitana USA show, postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, will be held Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Ticket sales to the event, which is designed for all riding levels, disciplines, and breeds, as well as enthusiasts of all ages to come together to celebrate the horse, are now open. The event will showcase a variety of popular equestrian personalities, professional performers, authors, veterinarians and other top professionals sharing their expertise on a wide range of disciplines and topics, with more than 150 sessions....

American Wood Fibers has announced a new partnership with the Secretariat Center, located at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The company will serve as the sole sponsor and supplier of animal bedding, contributing to the Center's upkeep and overall health of American Thoroughbreds. This sponsorship allows the Center to continue their work, readying the horses for life after rehab. Through boarding and reschooling, the Center's goal is to create harmonious matches with adopters and educate the community about the American Thoroughbred breed. To date, they have successfully rehoused more...

Edited Press Release The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI Five Star presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE), originally cancelled for 2021, will go forward Apr. 22 through Apr. 25 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The event will take place without spectators. "The uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic placed us in the financially impossible position of having to run the Five Star event without spectators, a situation that left us no choice but to cancel the Five Star for 2021 in order to preserve it for many years to...

For the first time since opening their doors in 2004, the Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park will keep its reschooling operation up and running throughout the winter months. Shelley Mann, who stepped on as the program's executive director this September, spoke on their plans for the upcoming season. "Typically in the past, we have fostered horses out or decreased our numbers for two or three months out of the winter," she said. "This is the first year that we really want to stay open. We have an entirely...