Retired Racehorse Project

The Retired Racehorse Project has unveiled its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan which is designed to help the 501 (c)3 charitable organization expand support services, strengthen the Thoroughbred Makeover, and deepen collaboration across the racing, equestrian and aftercare sectors. The plan includes three priorities, which represent the RRP's commitment to building a more informed, unified, and sustainable future for the Thoroughbred aftercare community: Strengthen capacity through Thoroughbred Makeover refinement and renewed focus on supportive programming for anyone involved with the breed; Build and amplify the RRP's brand identity as a leading non-...

Edited Press Release The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and Virginia Tech jointly announced today the Thoroughbred Wellness Expo, which will take place Saturday, Feb, 28, at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA. The Thoroughbred Wellness Expo is a day of seminars and live demonstrations with a focus on soundness in the Thoroughbred athlete. Sessions are designed to empower and educate the equestrian to confidently partner with the breed. "We were delighted when the team at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center approached us about...

The Retired Racehorse Project's Aftercare Industry Month will return in February. The virtual conference is presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation and will take place throughout the month. Four webinar sessions will feature panelists representing the various branches of the aftercare industry, and will delve into a range of topics that pertain to everyone that works with Thoroughbreds transitioning to careers beyond racing. Virtual attendees may now register for either the entire conference, or individual sessions a la carte. A conference pass for all four sessions is $10 and...

The ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship will return for the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America thanks to funding by the ASPCA Right Horse Reimagining Racers Grant, the Retired Racehorse Project announced Tuesday. The scholarship will fund the costs of one stall and first discipline fee for up to 50 eligible horses competing at the 2026 event, a minimum value of $405 per horse. The grant also funds $4,000 in additional prize money for the Former Broodmare division, awarding $400 to second-place finishers in each...

Five new members were elected to the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) board and four to the advisory council, at the organization's December meeting, the RRP announced Monday. The five elected to the board are Vanessa Coleman, who succeeds Sarah Williams as Treasurer; Amanda Chance; Anne Guillory; Audra and Gary Mandella (sharing one seat); and Rosie Napravnik. The group will also replace the directors who completed their terms of service at the conclusion of 2025: Richard Lamb, Sissy Wickes, and Sarah Williams. Board members may serve up to two consecutive three-year...

The Retired Racehorse Project has launched its 2025 year-end giving campaign with a total goal of $100,000, including a $41,000 match pledge that will double contributions from donors who support the organization's charitable mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The match pledge has been donated by the combined efforts of Valerie Callcott-Stevens, Copper Beech Stables, Glen Hill Farm, the Happy Dog Fun, Carolyn Rice, and Thor-Bred Stables. "The RRP's programming focuses on supporting the broad tapestry of individuals and entities that are tied to the Thoroughbred, which is...

Ten champions were crowned Saturday in Kentucky at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The event offered over $139,000 in prize money awarded out across 10 equestrian sports. The winners included: Barrel Racing: Battle Born (More Than Ready), trained by Elizabeth King (Junior), bred by WinStar Farm, owned by Robert D. Shelburne. Competitive Trail, sponsored by Godolphin: Vestal's Gap (Bullsbay), trained by Nathan Bowers, bred by Sterbenz Racing LLC, owned by Sterbenz Racing LLC. Dressage, sponsored by PTHA's Turning For Home: Patou Road...

Over the course of four seasons at the racetrack, Sibelius (Not This Time) took his connections on the ride of a lifetime. The well-traveled gelding made 27 starts at 14 tracks, including two international trips to Meydan Racecourse. During his career, he established himself as a three-time group/graded stakes winner, highlighted by an elite-level victory in the 2023 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Many who think of Sibelius may reflect on his race record, with six of his nine wins secured at the black-type level while earning just over $1.8 million....

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will serve as a sponsor of the Freestyle discipline at this year's Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. The 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 8-11. The event is designed to showcase the talent and versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds, while supporting their transition to successful second careers. The Freestyle discipline will take place Oct. 9 in the Covered Arena beginning at 8 a.m. This discipline is a free-form competition designed...

The list of former breeders, owners, trainers, stallion farms and other connections participating in the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Makeover Champions, an initiative to encourage more public support of Thoroughbreds in careers beyond racing via the Thoroughbred Makeover, was unveiled Wednesday morning. Makeover Champions have pledged to share updates about their former connected horses that are participating in next week's Thoroughbred Makeover, the largest and most lucrative retraining competition in North America for recently-retired racehorses and former broodmares. Additionally, many participating Champions will attend the event in person to connect...

Multiple Graded/Group winner Drafted (Field Commission) has been named the 2025 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award recipient, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced Friday morning. Named for the late past chief steward Bill Kraatz, the award recognizes a graduate horse that has gone on to serve as an ambassador for the athleticism and trainability of retired racehorses in their career beyond racing. Selected by a committee of Makeover officials, Drafted will be presented as the newest member of the honor roll. A millionaire on track, and a globetrotter who...

Eleven months after her retirement from racing, Mel's Baby Sister made a return to Saratoga to collect her Down Broadway Award as New York's Retired Racehorse of the Year as decided by the voting public via an online poll. The prize is named in honor of the first horse to retire though the Take The Lead program back in 2013. Mel's Baby Sister race in the colors of August Dawn Farm and was trained by Melanie Giddings to a lone career victory before ultimately retiring after two unplaced efforts during...