Edited Press Release
Some 512 trainers have been accepted to the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, officials with the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) have announced. The event takes place Oct. 11-14, 2023, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington and offers prize money in excess of $100,000.
“On behalf of TCA, we congratulate all of the trainers accepted into the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “We appreciate the time and resources trainers dedicate to transitioning Thoroughbreds into their next careers, and we appreciate the impact that the RRP and the Thoroughbred Makeover has made on the lives of thousands of Thoroughbreds over the years.”
The Makeover, the flagship event of the RRP, is open to professionals, juniors, amateurs and teams, all of whom compete with Thoroughbreds who raced or trained to race within the past two years and who have no more than 10 months of retraining. New for 2023, the Former Broodmare Division, sponsored by Claiborne Farm, will include former broodmares who recently retired from the breeding industry as well.
Competition at the Thoroughbred Makeover is available in ten disciplines, and trainers can choose to compete in up to two: barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, polo, ranch work, show hunter, show jumper, and freestyle (a free-form discipline to demonstrate skills of the trainer's choice).
“The 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover marks ten years since the event's pilot, a showcase of 23 horses on the homestretch of Pimlico Racecourse in 2013,” said Kirsten Green, executive director of the RRP. “While the Makeover still serves as a showcase for the breed, it has evolved to become an integral part of the aftercare industry, driving demand for Thoroughbreds who are completing their racing careers and offering participants the community and support needed to ensure they're successful with their horses.”
Click for additional information on the RRP and the Thoroughbred Makeover.
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