Former Connections Join 'Makeover Champions' Initiative

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today the list of former breeders, owners, trainers, stallion farms and other connections participating in Makeover Champions, the RRP’s new initiative to encourage more public support of Thoroughbreds in careers beyond racing via the Thoroughbred Makeover. Interested individuals and farms signed up to participate after the program was announced in August, and the RRP did some additional outreach.

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 with the new owners and trainers of their former horses; Champions have signed on to volunteer at the event, and some have made monetary gifts to support the charitable mission of the RRP.

“We’re delighted by the response we’ve seen to the pilot year of the Makeover Champions outreach initiative,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “It’s a wonderful illustration of just how many people are involved in producing a racehorse, and how they can stay connected and celebrate success well beyond that horse’s time on the track.”

The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, takes place October 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Over 300 horses are expected to compete over the course of the week, with competition available in ten riding sports. The event is free and open to the public to attend. Interested former connections are invited to stop by Connections Corner in the Covered Arena where staff or volunteers will be able to assist with navigating the park to find horses. Learn more at TheRRP.org.

2024 Makeover Champions:

Breeders:

Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Thoroughbreds, LLC (It’s My Time)

R. S. Evans (My Forever Friend, Skillful)

Seth Gregory (Always Positive)

Godolphin (Battle Creek, Case Study, Dreamy Night, Higginson, Quidditch, Take The Blame, Tio Gato,

Ultimate Value)

Hinkle Farms (Nepotism)

Dr. Dorothée Kieckhefer (Big Fame)

Machmer Hall (Sakuraba, Southern Crush)

PTK LLC (Comin’ Back, Flocked, Mulling, Sconce)

Whysper Wind Farm (Champagne For All, Stonegate)

Past Owners:

Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Thoroughbreds, LLC (It’s My Time)

Bourbon Lane Stables (Bourbon Creed, Bourbon War)

Niall J. Brennan (Carmie’s Army)

Colts Neck Stables LLC (Am Prepared, In The Loop, Town Of Gold)

Godolphin (Battle Creek, Case Study, Dreamy Night, Higginson, Quidditch, Take The Blame, Tio Gato, Ultimate Value)

Here Tis Ranch (Valiente)

John Julia (Widget Factory)

Little Red Feather Racing (Bobby Bo, My Boy Tate)

MyRacehorse (Syndicated [GB])

PTK LLC (Flocked, Hollis, Looting, Mulling, Obol, Sconce, Unbeknownst To Me)

Wasabi Ventures Stables/Wasabi Aftercare (Exxtop)

West Point Thoroughbreds (Cavalry Charge, Decorated Invader)

Past Trainers:

Wayne Catalano (Eye Of The Cat)

Jorge Duarte Jr. (Am Prepared, In The Loop, Town Of Gold)

H. Graham Motion (It’s My Time, Winfield)

John Alexander Ortiz (Aaron’s Conquest, Hollis)

Stallion Farms Standing Sires of Makeover Horses:

Coolmore America (Boldor, Bowie Mun, Illustrated, Intolerant, Joker Boy, Just So, Not Phar Now, Tio Gato, Trending, Ultimate Value, Wondrwherecraigis)