“I want to thank Kristen Goncharoff at e5 Racing Thoroughbreds for making the phone call, and Bob [Edwards], the leader of e5, who was looking to rehome this horse,” says winning rider Alison O'Dwyer. “Wesley Ward had him in training at Turfway and when he didn't think much of him, they decided to cut his career short as a two-year-old. I'm thankful for the friendships that I've made that trusted me with this horse – Kristen loved this horse as a foal and there was something about his personality and his eye that really spoke to her.”

The People's Choice Award went to 9-year-old gelding Arklow (Arch) who earned over $3,000,000 in his racing career and took the final honors in the Makeover's Field Hunter division.

The post Knockemdown Crowned 2023 TB Makeover Champion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Enter Gina Robb, trainer and co-owner of Maryland's No Guts No Glory Farm. The daughter of a jockey, Gina has spent her life around racing including marrying fellow trainer Jerry Robb. Together, the pair is responsible for $800,000-earner Anna's Bandit (Great Notion) who reported her first foal, a Tapit colt, this spring. Early this year, Gina had a quartet of horses ready to come off the track to pursue second careers along with a broodmare who'd been down on her reproductive luck and in need of perhaps a third career. Gina also had a teenage daughter conveniently taking lessons at Talbot Run Equestrian Center and, with the help of Talbot Run's head trainer Robin Petrasek, a new alliance was formed.

“I went to Robin [one day] and said 'hey, I've got a few off-track thoroughbreds and I'd really love to do something',” said Robb. “So we got together and I supplied the horses and Robin and I decided 'okay, let's try this.'

Next week, a team of five horses and riders from Talbot Run will travel to Kentucky to take on hundreds of other ex-racehorses across ten disciplines over a three-day event. Petrasek's program is a bit unique in that it has allowed each rider, the other four being amateurs, to train their own horses.

“We decided to kind of gear towards helping juniors learn how to retrain the horses,” said Petrasek. “So it's kind of a teaching and building program so that we can build up their interest in the industry and shine awareness on what it takes and where these horses came from.”

Seany P cleans up at the World Equestrian Center | Talbot Run Photo

The Talbot Run team, consisting of Petrasek, CC Forgione, Gretchen Wolfe, Chloe Pleune and Angelina Rosenthal, will display four Maryland-bred horses and one Kentucky-bred broodmare. Petrasek and her mount Seany P (Nicanor) will compete in Dressage and Freestyle while Forgione will take the full-brother to Anna's Bandit, Little Bold Bandit (Great Notion), in Competitive Trail. The other three riders will compete in the youth divisions: Wolfe aboard Vampish (Bodemeister) in the Broodmare division along with Eventing and Show Jumping, Pleune with Scintillio (Uncle Lino) also in Eventing and Show Jumping and Rosenthal, Gina Robb's daughter, with Belfour (Super Saver) in Eventing and Show Jumping as well.

“Gina provided us with five horses that have a high potential for sport,” added Petrasek. “It's not only been good in that aspect, but also that the horses have been very safe, especially for the kids to handle.”

“It's great we take these awesome horses into a second career,” continued Robb. “My husband retires them early before they're not able to do any of these things. And that's important because the other [entries], they have to sit on for a long time before they finally feel well enough.”

In speaking to the importance of the Makeover's new Broodmare division, Robb was nothing but complimentary.

“There are a lot of farms out there with mares like her [Vampish] and I think this division is going to be a God send. They're older, they've already raced and raised their babies and now we're setting them up for potentially a third career. It's exciting because people need to know that [these mares] can have another job. I'm very excited about it.”

And while the team has their work cut out for them in what will be large and competitive divisions in Kentucky, both women maintain that a safe, happy experience for all is the priority.

“Our main goal at the end of all this is to have safe horses for our lesson program,” said Petrasek. “The Makeover is an opportunity to showcase what they want to do but, no matter what the outcome is, they've all come so far with these horses. They hadn't done anything except race and now look at what they can do.”

Robb hopes a continuing alliance between track and barn will lead to an avenue of new youth into racing.

“I want these young kids to get into the business,” she admitted with a laugh. “We need to find some new-timers and let them see what it's like to do these things. I'm hoping it sparks them.”

Talbot Run had the pleasure of a behind-the-scenes tour of Laurel Park earlier this Spring and, from all accounts, Robb may have gotten her wish.

Vampish, Scintillo and Belfour at the Maryland State Fair TB Show | Talbot Run Photo

“Some of the girls have already signed up to come get a license to gallop horses when they're old enough,” she said. “I tell the moms that that's the best place to start. Riding in a ring is very different to riding on the track but these girls are very, very capable so they'll make the transition easier. I'd like to say I might have been able to bring an upcoming jockey on!”

The Thoroughbred Makeover, which runs from Oct. 11 to Oct. 14 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, does allow trainers to also market their horses. But Talbot Run's entries will return home to Maryland where they'll join the lesson program and maybe just inspire next year's team and a new generation of racing fans.

The post TB Makeover Puts Maryland-Breds On Display For Talbot Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Despite his flashy presence, my eye kept drifting to a small herd of mares in a nearby paddock. I made my way to the fence line and was met immediately by a pair of kind eyes and an inquisitive pink nose, searching for my face and neck. Sixty seconds later that nose was gently resting on my shoulder. I was won over. Three days later, Hoosier Artist came home as 'Frida'.

This chance meeting was not the beginning of Frida's story of course. Not even close! By the time we were serendipitously united, this little five-year-old mare had already endured and overcome so much.

Hoosier Artist was rescued from an extreme neglect situation in April 2021 by Lonnie and Diana Winkelspecht, the owners of L&D Stables. Literal skin-and-bones and struggling to stand, she was fighting for her life. After weeks and weeks without food, water and care, other horses on the same property had already perished and for some the only option was euthanasia. The scene was a nightmare. Despite her condition and against the recommendations of veterinarians, Lonnie and Diana knew they had to give this little filly a chance. They began nursing her back to health, sparing no resources. She was small, weak and unable to eat anything, but water-soaked hay and she was scared of everyone. Over the next few months they not only nourished and strengthened her body, but earned her trust.

Frida with Taylor | Taylor Tricarico

Hoosier Artist exceeded everyone's expectations and by mid-summer she was thriving! She began race training in earnest and showed grit and grace. Her first race left everyone who knew her in awe, and in some cases tears of joy. How was this the same horse that had to be supported to stand? How was this the same filly that had a body score of one, not six month earlier? And now she was doing what she was bred to do.

Despite a promising first time out, her racing career was short-lived, lasting only a half dozen times. Following a mismatch of training styles, the difficult decision was made not to push her, but to bring her back to L&D. This is where she stayed as the farm favorite, for several months before our accidental meeting.

I had no specific plans for Frida when she stepped off the trailer at my little farm in Versailles, Kentucky. All I knew is that this was a special soul and I was lucky to now call her mine. During our first off-track ride she couldn't turn right to save her life, as her gates were erratic and she held her head so high I wondered how she could see where she was going. But she was reasonable, responsive and had the best stop I'd ever sat. Two weeks later, we were riding bareback in a halter. Two months after that, she'd mastered all the groundwork I could throw at her. Before I knew it, my seven-year-old son was piloting her. This was a good horse. But what to do with her?

I'd missed the application window for the 2023 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover (RRPTM), when a ISO Facebook post caught my eye. A young trainer was looking to buy an RRPTM horse that matched Frida's description exactly: kind, quiet, slow, small. I messaged her asking, “I know this is a long shot, but would you be willing to partner and take my mare to the RRPTM? She's not for sale, but she is just what you are looking for.” The next day Blakely Releford was in my round pen working with Frida, swooning over her quick brain and sweet demeanor. I could tell immediately that this was a perfect match. A partnership was born and Hoosier Artist, the little-mare-that-could, was RRP bound!

–Taylor Tricarico, Versailles, KY

The post Letter To The Editor: From Starvation To The RPP Makeover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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As the application is redesigned for this year and also requires several additional pieces of information (including a signed letter from your veterinarian), we've added a preview and drafting period to the application process to allow you time to work without the pressure to submit.

Preview and start working on your application now at the Trainer Portal. Applications will be open for submission starting on Jan. 3, 2022 through Jan. 21 at close of business day.

Did you miss our live webinar last week about the application process for the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover? Never fear — the recording is available to watch on-demand on our YouTube channel! 

Managing director Kirsten Green and Makeover show secretary Rayna Erasmus walk you through major rule and process changes for 2022 and answer questions along the way. Still have questions of your own that you'd like to get answered? Email Rayna at secretary@tbmakeover.org!

• Make a direct donation to the Retired Racehorse Project
• Create a Facebook fundraiser for the Retired Racehorse Project
• Shop our logo wear at the RRP Store
• Subscribe to Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine

The post 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover Applications Open For Preview appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Sullivan has been prepping the 4-year-old gelding by Custom for Carlos to compete in the dressage portion of the event, reports America's Best Racing. Though the chestnut's racing career was less than stellar, with just one race, his claim to fame on the track was racing against his twin in a maiden claiming race at Delta Downs on Valentine's Day 2020. Read more about the twins racing debut here.

Equine twins are rare and survival of both foals is even more uncommon. Twins that then go on to race against one another are virtually unheard of. Sullivan, a Gemini, is no stranger to twins herself: Her dad was a twin and her husband is a twin.

Sullivan is an avid proponent of retired racehorses in second careers; she is the founder of Thoroughbred Athletes, Inc., an organization that assists horses retiring from racing, and the Sport of Kings Challenge, an all-discipline horse show that benefits OTTBs.

Sullivan continues to fine-tune Carlos' training in the final weeks before the Makeover and is hopeful that he settles well into the potentially overwhelming environment of the Kentucky Horse Park. They are slated to show in the Rolex Arena on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 3:58 p.m.

Read more here.

The post Twins Are Recurring Theme In Makeover Competitor’s Life  appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Expected to feature dozens of restarted Thoroughbreds, the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace catalog will once again be offered in print as well as digitally. Sign-ups are now open to receive the catalog, which will be printed in the Fall 2020 issue of Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, the RRP's award-winning quarterly publication. The catalog will be printed in color and feature each horse's Jockey Club name and basic details, price or adoption fee, home location, description and photo, as well as trainer contact information. Each advertisement will also include a QR code that will direct smartphone users to the horse's full online listing, which may include additional information and video.

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Dewey Square, 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover Marketplace graduate, now owned by Nicholas D'Amore and in training with Kate Chadderton. Photo by Amy Dragoo

The ASPCA Makeover Marketplace has become an adopter's or buyer's trusted source for Thoroughbreds for sport or pleasure. Though the Thoroughbred Makeover competition will not be taking place this year, each horse entered in the Marketplace catalog will have undergone preparation for the event, with emphasis placed on a healthy transition from the track and training for a big show environment. Past ASPCA Makeover Marketplace graduates have gone on to successful careers in eventing, hunter/jumper, field hunter, western performance, pleasure and trail riding.

“Creating opportunities for more equine enthusiasts to find their Right Horse is a vital component of our work,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, Vice President of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “The RRP continues to support us in shifting the perspective of who a retired racehorse is and showcasing the incredible potential they will bring to their next homes. While we will miss seeing all the event-goers and talented competitors this year, we celebrate this innovative virtual Marketplace experience that will help transition more great horses to their next chapter.”

The digital catalog will be released at tbmakeover.org the week of August 10, and individual horses will be featured on the RRP's social media. Watch the RRP's Facebook page for additional virtual spotlights of Marketplace horses this fall.

Sign up now for the print catalog at tbmakeover.org/catalog. Catalogs will be printed and mailed in mid-September.

The post Retired Racehorse Project’s Makeover Marketplace Transitions To Virtual Event appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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