Retired Racehorse Project

06/02/2026

Tuesday morning fun fact: 13 of the 65 entries (20%!) in today’s inaugural $25,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby at Upperville C**t & Horse Show are Thoroughbred Makeover grads!

We love seeing these horses continue their careers long after the Makeover. Good luck to all competitors — we can't wait to follow along!

Mo's Treasure and Kasey Evans, class of 2025
In The Air and Caitlan Brooks, class of 2024
He Did It and Anissa Butler, class of 2024
Bring It Home and Emma Foreman, class of 2024
Comin’ Back and Madison Barnett, class of 2024
Chapel Road and Jaime Bates, class of 2023
Mi Padrino and Julie Nelson, class of 2022
This Is Me and Heath Gunnison, class of 2021
Booster Gold and Elizabeth Mras, class of 2021
Black Tavish (USEF Tavish) and Debra Ward, class of 2020
Prince Of Ocala and Katy Hanlon, class of 2018
Tricky Drake (USEF Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) and Holly Shepherd (Makeover trainer Chya Johnstone), class of 2018
King's Vision and Jamie Bates (Makeover trainer and owner Lucinda Finley), class of 2015

06/01/2026

You asked, and we delivered.

NEW for 2026: Graduate Classes are coming to the Thoroughbred Makeover!

RRP announced today the addition of Graduate Classes to the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover. 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was registered for the Thoroughbred Makeover in previous years, including those that are under new ownership or were withdrawn prior to the competition.

Learn more about eligibility, disciplines, and entry procedures at https://bit.ly/3RyvVLB

05/30/2026

Since 2010, the Retired Racehorse Project has served as an industry leader in the aftercare space, working to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds beyond racing.

This year, we’re honored to participate in Gallop for Good hosted by Churchill Downs, Inc., a national giving campaign supporting Thoroughbred aftercare organizations dedicated to the care and future of retired racehorses.

To show your support for the work of the RPP, please consider donating now through June 27. Donation link in comments

05/29/2026

Twenty years and three jobs. Preakness contender, eventing extraordinaire, and professional pony, the journey of Icabad Crane is a testament to the adaptability, athleticism, and staying power of the Thoroughbred.

We recently caught up with Anita Motion, who shared that “after wearing many hats… he is finally retired.”

05/28/2026

On second thought… definitely not

05/26/2026

Flies are more than just a summer nuisance 🪰

From equine infectious anemia to summer sores and eye parasites, flies can pose serious health risks for horses. Learn how smart fly-control strategies — including manure management, fly predators, fans, and protective gear — can help keep your Thoroughbred healthy all season long.

Read more in our FREE Education Library below:

Learn effective fly control strategies for horses, including disease prevention, manure management, fly gear, sprays, and barn management tips.

05/22/2026

Our Thoroughbred Makeover eventer hopefuls are getting out and about!

Meet Five Star Run and owner/trainer Natalie Woodie from Virginia. This shot was captured at the Virginia Horse Center (Lexington, VA) in the Spring Jumper Derby. They competed at the Starter Level.

Five Star Run (Runhappy – Five Star Factor) is a Kentucky-bred gelding. After 18 starts, he retired from the racetrack in late 2025 with $33,686 in career earnings under owner Gerald Green. Woodie acquired Five Star Run directly from his track connections.

05/20/2026

NEW in the free RRP Education Library 📚

Our ever-popular Picking Prospects series returns for Spring 2026, featuring insights from 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover trainers Kara Lee and Marty Riney.

In this column, veteran Thoroughbred Makeover trainers share their strategies for assessing and selecting prospects based only on conformation photos. We feature trainers from two disciplines in each column.

Read more:

Two 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover champions share how they evaluate off-track Thoroughbred prospects for second careers and sport horse success.

05/19/2026

Thoroughbred Makeover GRADUATE Cripple Creek is smiling along with his owner/trainer Louisa Legato after a successful test! Since the 2024 Makeover where they competed in dressage, the pair has continued to improve their skills and continue competing. Recently, they competed in the 2025 T.I.P. Championships in dressage!

Cripple Creek (English Channel – Midnight Ramble) is a 2020 gelding, bred in Pennsylvania by Michael Moran. He last raced under the ownership of Bonuccelli Racing in December 2023 and retired after 8 starts with $8,260 in career earnings. Legato adopted Cripple Creek from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc in early 2024.

05/15/2026

Can you believe that this was Cameo Shores' first outing EVER? This 2026 Makeover Hopeful took a field trip to Heather Ridge Farm in Raeford, North Carolina, where she competed in and WON Intro Test A & B! She was accompanied by her owner/trainer Ariana Rogers, a professional from North Carolina.

Cameo Shores (Sky Mesa – Westline) is a 2017 mare, bred in California by Donald Valpredo. She started 20 times and retired in December 2022 with $35,162 in earnings. Cameo Shores is entered in the Former Broodmare division. Rogers acquired Cameo Shores directly from her track connections.