RRP

Applications to compete in the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium are now being accepted through Jan. 23, announced the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP). The Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest and most lucrative retraining competition in North America for recently-retired Thoroughbreds and former broodmares. It takes place Oct. 7-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The makeover is the banner event of the RRP and is meant to showcase the athleticism, trainability, and versatility of the recently-retired racehorse. The event awards $139,000 in prize money and is expected...

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...

Sponsorships for The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)'s 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are currently available. The event takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on Oct. 8-11. "Partnering with the Thoroughbred Makeover makes companies more than just a sponsor," said Megan Garlich, RRP development manager. "Our sponsoring partners join a passionate team of individuals and organizations committed to the advancement of Thoroughbreds in equestrian sport and the development of dedicated trainers who invest in their future. We are grateful to the many sponsors...

The Retired Racehorse Project will once again host virtual conferences in February to raise awareness during Aftercare Industry Month (AIM), presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation, the nonprofit aftercare program said in a press release on Friday. The sessions are open to anyone with a professional interest in Thoroughbred aftercare from any cross section of the industry. Four webinars featuring panelists from both non-profit organizations as well as business entities will delve into a range of topics that pertain to everyone who works in Thoroughbred aftercare. AIM will include...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) made two new additions to their board at their December meeting as Robert Hartman and Chris Knehr were elected, according to a Wednesday press release from the nonprofit. Hartman is the chair of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). After holding marketing and management positions with NYRA, Santa Anita Park, and Golden Gate, he joined the RTIP program as chair in 2021. In this role, Hartman oversees the direction of the RTIP program, as well as the hosting of the annual Global...

Barrel racer Egoli, a daughter of Quality Road, highlighted this year's broodmare division of the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, held at the Kentucky Horse Park last week. The 8-year-old not only claimed first place among broodmares but also posted the fastest time of any competitor--retired racehorses included. Co-sponsored by Claiborne Farm and Lane's End Farm, the Broodmare Division returned for its second official year, offering $10,000 in prize money and showcasing the post-breeding potential of mares. "Egoli's success at the 2024 Makeover demonstrates the vast, untapped potential broodmares possess...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced format changes to its flagship event, the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, beginning with the 2025 competition year. Beginning in 2025, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the Thoroughbred Makeover's move to Kentucky, the Finale Championship event will be replaced by individual discipline championships, welcoming back the top 10 highest-placed horses after preliminary competition. Discipline championships will take place in the same locations as preliminary rounds, and will call back twice as many horses to participate as the current Finale format; horses will...

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has returned as the title sponsor of the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) said in a Friday release. The title is awarded to the horse selected by a panel of judges as having the highest level of training at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, which takes place Oct. 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. "The continued impact of the Retired Racehorse Project is dependent on racing institutions such as Churchill Downs Incorporated and...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is now accepting donations for its 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction, the non-profit said in a Thursday release. Hosted online, the silent auction runs during Thoroughbred Makeover week, Oct. 4-12, and items are on display starting Oct. 8. Past contributions have included unique experiences such as polo lessons or fox hunting, racing memorabilia such stallion halters and shoes, and one-of-a-kind equestrian or racing artwork. Items to be shipped to the Maryland office for processing must be sent by Sept. 16. In-person donations can be dropped...

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, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced Tuesday. 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 10 offered disciplines. Broodmares will be pinned and recognized separately, and compete for a separate pot of $10,000...

Mareworthy Charities and the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will host a Thoroughbred Broodmare Transition Symposium July 10 at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profits said in a release on Thursday. Designed to provide education for trainers and riders about the unique needs of former broodmares, the symposium sessions will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET, with an optional add-on tour of Spy Coast Farm starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. Click here for more information, including the full agenda and livestream option. The event is free for students. To learn...

A day of clinics and guided schooling opportunities has been added to the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, according to the organization Wednesday. The additional day, which will be offered Friday, Oct. 11, will feature participants in the disciplines of dressage, show hunter, show jumper and ranch work that did not qualify for the Finale Championships. The symposium runs Oct. 9-12. Clinics will follow a 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...