Retired Racehorses Take Centerstage

by Jen Roytz

Day 1 of the TCA Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by the Retired Racehorse Project, is in the books and was full of exciting competition, educational seminars and demonstrations and, of course, incredibly talented Thoroughbreds.

Throughout the day Friday, attendees sat in on seminars covering topics like pre-purchase exams and rehabilitation of common injuries of former racehorses, placing and rehoming Thoroughbred after racing, and responsible management of aftercare organizations.

The competition was strong as well, as it should be with $100,000 on the line. Today included the semi-finals in the Working Ranch, Show Hunter, Competitive Trail, Barrel Racing, Polo and Eventing (Dressage and Jumping) divisions. Whether looking through the bridle or on horseback, there were celebrities to be seen, including Rosie Napravnik on the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center’s Dare Me (half-brother to Shackelford) and Caught Me Looking, half-brother to Awesome Again winner and Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Smooth Roller. Bridget Cummins-McNeese, who with her husband, John, bred Caught Me Looking and Smooth Roller and still own their dam, owns and regularly rides Caught Me Looking and is thrilled to have him in the Makeover.

“It’s so nice to have a horse that we bred and we raised and had fun with him on the track, and we’re having just as much fun with him now,” said Cummins-McNeese. “To have one in the Makeover and another that we bred in the Breeders’ Cup, it’s like a dream come true.”

The TCA Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium continues at the Kentucky Horse Park through the weekend, with the finals held on Sunday afternoon. For more information go to www.retiredracehorseproject.org.