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2025 Thoroughbred makeover
Retired Racehorse Project Release
LEXNGTON, Ky. – Ten champions were crowned today at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The flagship event of the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on increasing the demand for Thoroughbreds outside of racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest and most lucrative retraining program in North America, with $139,000 in prize money awarded today to the tenth place finisher in ten equestrian sports.
The championship format is new to the Thoroughbred Makeover, allowing twice as many horses and trainers to stay all Saturday and compete for their share of the prize money. Individual discipline championship rounds took place around the Kentucky Horse Park, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the site. Countless spectators lined the rails around all the competition areas to cheer championship competitors home.
Full results can be found on the RRP website.
Let’s meet our winners:
FIGHT BORN
Barrel racing
Trained by Elizabeth King (junior)
More than ready – Mine For Keeps, by Smart Strike
19-0-0-3, $30,665
2019 dark brown/dark brown gelding bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, LLC
Owned by Robert D. Shelburne
Trained by Barry L. King
Last raced April 27, 2024 at Churchill Downs
From Savanna Seng
“I’m in southern Indiana, which is more of a Quarter Horse area. For me it was more about showing how to position themselves in Barrel Racing. My Quarter Horses have one job, and they can only do one thing: I can jump with him, do horsemanship patterns with him, all kinds of things. When I got him, I didn’t even know he was eligible for a Makeover until the seller said it. I did some research and decided this sounded like the best thing ever! We’ve just been working on it since then to see if we could get here. This feels like the Disneyland of horse shows!”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Breeder and farm father: WinStar Farm
VESTALS GAP
Competitive course
sponsored by Godolphin
Trained by Nathan Bowers
Bullsbay – Ransom Overdue, by Stephen Got Even
3-0-0-1, $2,223
2022 Chestnut gelding bred in West Virginia by Sterbenz Racing, LLC
Owned by Sterbenz Racing, LLC
Trained by Jay P. Bernardini
Last raced on November 20, 2024, at Mountaineer
From Jen Ruberto of Wire to Wire Sporthorses
Owned by Jody Marken
“You know, he’s just a special guy. He loves to do all the trail stuff; he’s brave and confident and when he goes into the show ring he goes the extra mile. He’s a pretty fun little horse in that regard. It means a lot – my wife [Amy Bowers] won in the freestyle in 2019, so this is my chance to get revenge on her!”
PATOU ROAD
Dressage
sponsored by PTHA’s Turning For Home
Trained by Marty Riney
Quality Road – Patou, by Ghostzapper
6-1-2-1, $82,320
2019 brown gelding, bred in Kentucky by RanJan Racing, Inc
Sold at public auction in Keeneland September for $500,000, consigned by Lane’s End Farm, and Keeneland April for $110,000, consigned by Highgate Sales
Owned by RanJan Racing, Inc
Trained by Chad Brown
Last raced March 10, 2024 at Gulfstream Park
Still owned by racing connections
“I’m just so proud of Patou. He was a rock star all week. My favorite part of this week was spending time with him, honestly, and seeing all the different Thoroughbreds and how versatile they are and everything they can do. It was pretty amazing.”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Former owner: Repole Stal
Standing father: Lane’s End Farm
Debt
Eventing
with support from Phoenix Performance Products
Trained by Amy Faison
Mendelssohn – Champagne Forever (FR), by Mastercraftsman (IRE)
1-0-0-0, $340
2021 Chestnut gelding bred in Kentucky by Genet Racing, LLC
Sold by public auction at Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale for $95,000, consigned by Bluewater Sales
Owned by PTK LLC
Trained by William D. Cowans
Last raced August 19, 2023 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Sourced/owned by Pastured Place
“I’m so excited. I’m so proud of him. He’s only four, and he’s come such a long way this year. He’s really grown up, even this week. He’s really figured out what he needs to do. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Former owner: PTK LLC
Standing father: Coolmore America
STREET READY
Field hunter
sponsored by Masters of Foxhounds Association
Trained by Kara Lee
More than ready – Sense To Compete, by Street Sense
5-31-3-3, $335,077, multiple bets placed
2017 dark brown/dark brown gelding bred in Kentucky by Earle I. Mack, LLC
Sold at public auction in Keeneland September for $240,000, consigned by Denali Stud
Owned by Michael M. Hui
Trained by Michael J. Maker
Last raced on November 9, 2024 at Gulfstream Park
Sourced from Second Stride, Inc.
“I’m overjoyed. It’s been surreal all week; this horse has shown up. I always knew he was special, but I’m just happy that I was able to show him and show other people how special he is. He means a lot to me and really came through this week and was great.”
Recipient of ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Breeder: Ambassador Earle I. Mack
Standing father: WinStar Farm
BANDON
Freestyle
with support from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Trained by Jacquelyn Dickey
Speightstown – Sansibar Jewel, by Street Cry (IRE)
1-0-0-0, $0
Owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, CHC, Inc., Gandharvi, LLC, Schwartz, M., Dubb, M., Ten Strike Racing, Bakke, J., Titletown Racing, LLC, Kuever Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Winners Win and Caruso, Michael
Trained by Brad H. Cox
Last worked on September 1, 2023 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Sourced from Jessica Redman/Benchmark Sport Horses
“I’m proud of that [Bandon] can give suicide prevention a voice, as well as my son Austin. I’m lucky that the RRP was there for me, and that [Bandon] was able to help me through my sadness. I hope this brings awareness to suicide prevention and the need for it. [Bandon] has a great temperament and he just tries so hard, and he knew I was struggling, and he still gave me everything he had. He wanted to be a winner. He wanted to spread the message; he knew this was important to me. He wanted to be there for me.”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Former trainer: Brad H. Cox
Rod
Polo
sponsored by the United States Polo Association
Trained by Buck Schott
Mendelssohn – Qiaona, by Wilko
15-2-1-2, $36,572
2020 dark brown/brown mare, bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks
Owned by Judy Hicks
Trained by Chelsey E. Moysey
Last raced on February 11, 2024 in Tampa Bay
Sourced directly from compounds
“I would first like to thank Bethany, who works for me, and Judy Hicks, from whom we bought the horse. She is from the local area, near our farm. We call this mare ‘Key’ and it has been wonderful to work with her. She is very polite and very intelligent. She has enough energy to meet all my needs and desires, and it has been wonderful to work with her and I am super impressed with how she has been over the past days has worked. I had a lighter summer than I would have liked. with her – very little polo, and she achieved more than I ever expected.”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Standing father: Coolmore America
MIZ MOSLER
Ranch work
with support from Juddmonte Farm
Trained by BJ Heffelfinger
Mosler – Tiz Heaven, by Tizdejavu
Unraced
2021 dark brown/brown mare bred in Maryland by W. Robert Bailes
Last worked on January 31, 2024 in Laurel Park
Sourced from After the Races
“A little over a year ago I lost my Thoroughbred, and I let her fill his shoes. I didn’t know what we were going to end up doing; I had her be a hunter or a jumper, but I thought the work on the ranch looked really cool. I’ve never been to the Makeover before, and just to come in and have her do what we’ve been working on all year, just the way we’ve been doing it… I know everyone says it, but it’s a dream that comes true. I’m living in a dream right now angel. She trusts me and does everything I ask her. The personality, the attitude, the willingness – she’s just smart, willing and trusting. It’s more than I could ever imagine.”
Recipient of ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship
MENTHA
Show hunter
with support from Beyond the Wire
Trained by Rachel McMahan
American Pharoah – Wild Mint, by Medaglia d’Oro
Unraced
2021 bay gelding bred in Kentucky by KatieRich Farms
Sold at public auction in Keeneland September for $230,000, consigned by KatieRich Farms
Last worked on November 27, 2024
Sourced directly from compounds
“The best horse I could have had, and the best help. I thank the people I got [Mentha] by – Riley Mott and Robin Schuler. This horse is amazing.”
Makeover champions associated with this horse:
Standing father: Coolmore America
LATE NIGHT CRUISER
Show jumper
with support from Excel Equine
Trained by Rebekah Vernon
Catalina Cruiser – Incredible Dream, by Kitalpha
5-0-0-0, $1,110
2021 chestnut gelding bred in Kentucky by Jay Goodwin, Meredith Krupp, John Hess, William Hess & Spendthrift Farm
Sold by public auction: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Mixed for $31,000, consigned by KP Sales; Keeneland September for $25,000, consigned by Machmer Hall; and Ocala Breeders’ Sale for $16,000, consigned by Blas Perez Stables
Owned by Blick Stables and Passion Racing Club
Trained by George Allan Bryant
Last raced on February 11, 2024 at Sam Houston
Directly from connections through real estate agent Jade Favre”
“I feel on cloud nine. I owe it all to this horse: he is the smartest, kindest horse I have ever met in my entire life. He just has a heart of gold. My mother wants this horse in the worst way – I don’t know if we have come to an agreement yet because the longer I have him, the more I love him. But I trust him with my life and hers, so that says everything there is to say about him.”
#Championship #winners #crowned