As the number of racehorses that find placement in second careers through Beyond The Wire increases, their participation in the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover is on the rise.
As of late July, seven horses retired through Maryland’s Thoroughbred aftercare program were expected to make the trip to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for the competition, which will be held Oct. 2-5.
The RRP was founded in 2010 to facilitate placement of retired Thoroughbreds in second careers. The 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover will feature competition in disciplines such as barrel racing, dressage, show hunters, show jumpers, field hunters, polo, eventing, ranch work and competitive trail riding.
There also is a “Makeover Marketplace” for those in the market for a Thoroughbred sport horse or riding companion. The RRP, which counts Beyond The Wire among its sponsors, in 2018 estimated that up to half of the equine participants would be offered for sale or adoption.
Here is a look at the Beyond The Wire graduates being pointed to the Thoroughbred Makeover:
My Pal Jerry
Rider/Trainer: Heather Carlson
Adopted from: Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
Racing Trainer: Dorothy Worton
Racing Owner: Wasabi Ventures Stables LLC
Breeder: Howard M. Bender (Maryland)
My Pal Jerry, a 5-year-old gelding by Even the Score, earned $46,585 in 21 starts—all but one of them at Maryland racetracks—and was retired in the fall of 2018. Carlson said he has quickly adjusted to his new career.
“He has the best personality and he’s fun to be with,” she said. “He’s just a good all-around horse. I don’t know yet (which Makeover event he will enter), but I think he could do hunters. He’s wicked quiet.”
Art of Listening
Rider/Trainer: Polly Bance
Adopted from: Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
Racing Trainer: Brittany Trimble Russell
Racing Owner: Ten Strike Racing
Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC (Kentucky)
Art of Listening, a 4-year-old gelding by Artie Schiller, made all four of his starts in the summer and fall of 2018 at Laurel Park. He retired with earnings of $8,730.
“I can take him out through hayfields by himself and he loves it, but I’ve seen this horse crack his back and I know he can jump,” Bance said. “He’s the coolest ‘colt’ ever and he has a great eye on him. He’s just one of those horses that makes you smile.”
Art of Listening will opt for either show jumping on fox hunting during the Makeover competition, Bance said.
Make It Right
Rider/Trainer: Tom and Clare Mansmann
Adopted from: MidAtlantic Horse Rescue
Racing Trainer: Charles Lynch
Racing Owner: Charles Lynch
Breeder: Golden Legacy Stable (Florida)
Make It Right, a 4-year-old gelding by United States, raced only three times, all in 2017, and retired with $1,175 in earnings. Clare Mansmann said he has proved to be very intelligent.
“His brain,” she said when asked what she likes most about Make It Right. “I’m still getting to know him but he’s just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and his confirmation shot was stunning.
“He definitely wants to be in the show hunter ring. He’s the type.”
Alarming
Rider/Trainer: Tom and Clare Mansmann
Adopted from: MidAtlantic Horse Rescue
Racing Trainer: Claudio Gonzalez
Racing Owner: MCA Racing Stable
Breeder: Edward A. Cox Jr.
Alarming, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Unbridled’s Song, won three of 29 starts and retired with $59,384 in earnings. Clare Mansmann said he is “pretty special.”
“He has a great brain and that matters above all things,” she said. “He’s wildly athletic, but not wild. He’s the happiest horse in the world. He could do so many things, but I would think jumping and show hunting.”
Audacious Say Eye
Rider/Trainer: Caitleen King
Adopted from: After the Races
Racing Trainer: King Leatherbury
Racing Owner: Vince Campinella
Breeder: Henry H. Prieger, David Lester and Steve Robbins
Audacious Say Eye, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Frost Giant, raced only two times, in 2016, for earnings of $1,490.
Gold Shot
Rider/Trainer: Alexandra Tonti
Adopted from: The Foxie G Foundation
Racing Trainer: Claudio Gonzalez
Racing Owner: David Gruskos
Breeder: Northwest Farms
Gold Shot, a 5-year-old Trappe Shot gelding bred in Kentucky, retired a maiden last summer but did register five third-place finishes in 11 starts for earnings of $22,460.
“ ‘Gold’ has a sweet, loving personality,” Tonti said. “He is very eager to learn and he is an incredible mover. And he has the cutest face. He is training in hunter and equitation and is registered as part of a team.”
Zinziblanco
Rider/Trainer:
Adopted From: MidAtlantic Horse Rescue
Racing Trainer: Phil Schoenthal
Racing Owner:
Breeder: John Gardiner and Frank McEntee
Zinziblanco, a 4-year-old Cape Blanco colt bred in Kentucky, was unraced.