RRP

This season, The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) will unveil Graduate Classes during its Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The Graduate Classes will provide an opportunity for Thoroughbred Makeover alumni to return to the Kentucky Horse Park and compete once again as part of the Thoroughbred Makeover experience. The Graduate Classes are open exclusively to any horse that was registered for the Thoroughbred Makeover in previous years, including those that are under new ownership or were withdrawn prior to the competition. This program provides an...

Edited Press Release Officials from The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) have announced today that Vendor Fair applications for the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, are now open. The Vendor Fair will run throughout the competition from Oct. 7-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Vendor Fair will return to Jay Trump Drive, overlooking the Stonelea Arena in the Hunter/Jumper Complex, in the middle of the action at the Thoroughbred Makeover. After a successful debut of the 10-discipline Makeover Championship format in...

Friday, Apr. 3 was my last day at my dream job. After seven years with the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit, I stepped away from the role of managing director and an incredible team of passionate individuals working towards a simple goal in a complicated landscape: increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. It was the perfect job for someone who grew up horse-crazy, blessed with a way with words but lacking the talent to make it as a full-time horsewoman in any aspect of the industry. I started in...

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...