All photos: Retired Racehorse Project/Zenya Lepper for Erin Gilmore Photography
2025 Thoroughbred Makeover
Retired Racehorse Project Release
Preliminary competition has wrapped at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest retraining competition in North America for recently retired racehorses and former broodmares, showcasing the athleticism and trainability of the Thoroughbred and inspiring more equestrians to partner with the breed.
Over 240 horses competed over two days in up to two of ten equestrian sports. The ten highest-placed horses in each discipline will return on Saturday for the Championships, competing on blank slate scores for $139,000 in prize money paid out to all ten places. Preliminary winners, including the top-placed juniors, amateurs and teams as well as special award winners, will be recognized at Saturday’s Awards Party at the conclusion of Championships competition.
Find full results posted here.
See more from each preliminary winner below:
Barrel Racing: WICKED AGAIN
Trained by Jessica Frederick
Gun Runner – Just Wicked, by Tapit
11-1-2-2, $124,150
2020 gray/roan gelding bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC
Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds
Trained by Steven Asmussen
Last raced on April 4, 2024, at Keeneland
Sourced from ReRun, Inc.
“I’m really happy with how he worked. We cleaned up the third barrel tonight because we got a little deep behind. Being here this year is really exciting because I didn’t know if I was going to make it: three weeks ago, on Friday I got thrown my other retired racehorse that I had to scratch unfortunately, and I fractured my L2 in my back. Wicked Again is such a talented, big, goofy boy. He’s a special kid.”
Barrel Racing Top Broodmare: Little Bop Peep, trained by Jordyne Chernitsky
Competitive Trail, sponsored by Godolphin Lifetime Care: VESTAL’S GAP
Trained by Nathan Bowers
Bullsbay – Ransom Past Due, 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 at Mountaineer on November 20, 2024
Sourced from Jen Ruberto at Wire to Wire Sporthorses
Owned by Jody Marken
“I’m definitely excited. He’s a very bold little trail horse; he loves the obstacles.”
Competitive Trail Top Broodmare: Justastar, trained by Katherine Bacolas
Dressage, sponsored by PTHA’s Turning For Home: ROSIA BAY
Trained by Cynthia M. Buchanan
Lord Nelson – Kool Kat, by Scat Daddy
12-2-2-2, $146,893
2019 chestnut mare bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, LLC
Sold via public auction at Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase for $185,000, consigned by Vinery Sales
Owned by Bad Girl Racing Stable and Susan M Racing
Trained by William E. Morey
Last raced at Ellis Park on July 15, 2024,
Sourced directly from racing owner
“I am just over the moon! She’s a very careful and sensitive mare that just wants to do it right. She was very tough to start, and I thought we’d never be able to get there. This past month, she really shined, and she got us here.”
Dressage Top Broodmare: Corner Three, trained by Wendy Lind
Eventing, with support from Phoenix Performance Products: ROSIA BAY
Trained by Cynthia M. Buchanan
Lord Nelson – Kool Kat, by Scat Daddy
12-2-2-2, $146,893
2019 chestnut mare bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, LLC
Sold via public auction at Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase for $185,000, consigned by Vinery Sales
Owned by Bad Girl Racing Stable and Susan M Racing
Trained by William E. Morey
Last raced at Ellis Park on July 15, 2024,
Sourced directly from racing owner
“I’m even more excited and even more proud of her! She’s worked very hard for this – we’ve worked very hard for this.”
Eventing Top Broodmare: Justa Scoch, trained by Kimberly Keith
Field Hunter, sponsored by Masters of Foxhounds Association: SOUTHWESTERN HOPE
Trained by Kaylyn Hottel
Southwestern Heat – Rumor Is, by Suave Prospect
60-5-7-12, $101,751
2016 black gelding bred in New Mexico by Duane Freeman
Owned by Samantha Scheffler
Trained by Shawn Bunn
Last raced on August 11, 2024, at Wyoming Downs
Sourced from Mountain States Retired Racehorse Rehoming
“It’s surreal; I never thought I’d be here. Southwestern Hope is a super special horse since the first day I saw him. I got him three days off the track; I walked into a barn, and he was there by himself. He was just standing there, and he had a sparkle in his eye, and I was like ‘you’re coming home with me.’ The first ride I had on him he was just a saint. I have personal hounds at home, and the first ride two weeks off the track with him I opened the kennel and let the hounds out around him, and he was great. He deserves the best, he’s only for sale because I think he deserves his own person. This is just really special because of him.”
Freestyle, with support from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: BANDON
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
Freestyle Top Broodmare: De Last Dance, trained by Jennifer Vickers Kelly
Polo, sponsored by United States Polo Association: QIA
Trained by Buck Schott
Mendelssohn – Qiaona, by Wilko
15-2-1-2, $36,572
2020 dark bay/brown mare bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks
Owned by Judy Hicks
Trained by Chelsey E. Moysey
Last raced on February 11, 2024, at Tampa Bay
Sourced directly from racing owner
“I’m totally pumped. She did everything that we want in a polo horse. She did nothing wrong. She’s a great horse!”
Ranch Work, with support from Juddmonte Farms: MIZ MOSLER
Trained by B.J. Heffelfinger
Mosler – Tiz Heaven, by Tizdejavu
Unraced
2021 dark bay/brown mare bred in Maryland by W. Robert Bailes
Sourced from After the Races
“[I’m] honestly shocked. The results came last night, and I still don’t believe it, it’s like a dream. I came in just to have fun in the ranch because she’s mostly a hunter, and to perform like she did and have scores like she did is literally a dream. This horse is so special. She’s absolutely made it easy, to be honest. We put in a lot of work and time, but she’s made it easy. I call her an angel: she’s such a kind soul, and so willing and trusting. Just like with the cows, she’d never seen cows before, but she said, ‘Okay Mom, I’ll do this because you asked me to.’ That’s why she deserves to be the winner.”
Ranch Work Top Broodmare: Justastar, trained by Katherine Bacolas
Show Hunter, with support from Beyond the Wire: MENTHA
Trained by Rachel McMahan
American Pharoah – Wild Mint, by Medaglia d’Oro
Unraced
2021 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by KatieRich Farms
Sold via public auction at Keeneland September for $230,000, consigned by KatieRich Farms
Sourced directly from racing owner
“He was great. The round was really good; he was very brave and forward. He is consistent and he always steps up to the job.”
Show Hunter Top Broodmare: Victoria E, trained by Doreen Durr
Show Jumper, sponsored by Excel Equine: SEKT
Trained 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 via public auction at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale for $95,000, consigned by Bluewater Sales
Owned by PTK LLC
Trained by William D. Cowans
Last raced on August 19, 2023, at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Owned by Pastured Place
Show Jumper Top Broodmare: Justa Scoch, trained by Kimberly Keith
