Kentucky Horse Park

With a little less than a month to go before the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover kicks off Oct. 12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, connections of retired racehorse entries planning to attend may be wondering how to find more information on their particular horses. With that in mind, Erin O'Keefe, Development Director for the Retired Racehorse Project, spoke about a new feature at this year's event: Connections Corner. "Former connections of competing horses will be able to come to the booth, located in the TCA Covered Arena, to find...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) once again enters as a sponsor of the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover. In conjunction with sponsoring the makeover, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance High Point Award will continue to be offered to the highest-placed Thoroughbred adopted from or is owned by a TAA-accredited organization. The showcase of recently retrained off-track Thoroughbreds will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 12-15. Of the 377 horses entered across 10 divisions, 57 contestants are eligible to win the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance High Point Award, including a $1,000...

Each year since 2010, as Thoroughbreds across the country face the end of their racing careers, the team at the Maryland-based Retired Racehorse Project step up with one purpose: "furthering founder Steuart Pittman's vision to increase demand for Thoroughbreds after racing and restoring their prominence in the equestrian world." With this goal in mind, the RRP created the inaugural 'Thoroughbred Trainer Challenge' in 2012--an event which gave four trainers just 100 days and an opportunity to showcase what a recently retired racehorse could do in a potential second career. That...

Hats off Day, presented by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, will celebrate the impact of the horse industry with a day of free admission to the Kentucky Horse Park July 30. Now in its 19th year, Hats Off Day offers family-friendly activities beginning at 3 p.m., including horse and pony rides, interactive educational booths, and a Grand Prix show jumping competition. Free hats, provided by area horse farms and businesses will be distributed at the entrance, while supplies last. Sponsored by Central Bank and other industry leaders, Hats Off Day...

Editor's Note: Go for Gin, winner of the 1994 GI Kentucky Derby and a former Bonita Farm stallion, died this week at age 31. In 2011 my partner in Go for Gin, Joe Cornacchia, who was a true pillar of the sport and the old-style owner who, like myself, cared about the retirement of his horses, asked that I contact the Kentucky Horse Park about his placement there. Many thanks to the Park for his care during his last 10 years. Ironically, he lived next door to another stud at...

Go For Gin (Cormorant--Never Knock, by Stage Door Johnny), who was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, passed away Tuesday due to heart failure at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had lived since retiring from stud duty in June 2011. The 31-year-old won the 1994 Kentucky Derby and was second behind Tabasco Cat in both that year's GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S. "We're honored that Go For Gin was an ambassador of the park for nearly 12 years," said Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director Lee Carter. "As...

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) has accepted 482 trainers, including both individuals and team members, to the 2022 class of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). The Makeover returns to its single-year format in 2022 after the postponement of the 2020 event led to a "double" Makeover in 2021, with two competition years running simultaneously. The 2022 Makeover will take place Oct. 12-15, 2022 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Open to professionals, juniors, amateurs, and teams, the Thoroughbred Makeover is a...

Dual GI Breeders' Cup Mile Winner, Da Hoss (Gone West--Jolly Saint, by Welsh Saint) died at the Kentucky Horse Park Jan. 2. At the age of 30, the gelding passed away due to infirmities of old age.  Da Hoss had been living at the Kentucky Horse Park since January 2000. "We will miss Da Hoss greatly. He was a fan favorite as he proved that spirit can triumph over adversity," said Nicole Rivera, Interim Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "I would like to extend a special thank...

Thoroughbred Charities of America is now accepting applications for the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium. Applications will be accepted through the close of business Jan. 21 and accepted trainers will be announced by Feb. 15. The 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover Rulebook outlines all rules and information relevant to the competition, with changes for 2022 marked in red and clarifying information marked in blue. Interested applicants can start the process now by clicking on the Trainer Portal at tbmakeover.org. The Thoroughbred Makeover features competition in 10 disciplines for recently retired Thoroughbreds...

Multiple equine organizations in Kentucky have joined forces to assist horse owners who have been affected by last week's tornado outbreak. Equine and ag-specific donations will be accepted at the Kentucky Horse Park Dec. 18-20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Signage will point donors to the exact location behind the Alltech Arena. Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) employees and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment extension agents have been working diligently to create county-specific lists of items that are needed immediately. Though cleanup efforts will...

Tickets for the EQUUS Evolution theatrical performance, the evening showcase of the EQUITANA USA trade fair and expo, are on sale now at www.equitanausa.com. The performances will be held in Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 1-3. The 90-minute performance will include appearances from performing arts trainer and championship competitor Mario Contreras with special appearances include the American Vaulting Association's Lynn Palm and Nic Roldan. Highlighting the artistic vision of Chanel Rhodes, select performances at the evdent will include unique equine attire. The full EQUITANA USA day programming...

Tickets are on sale for EQUITANA USA, scheduled for Oct. 1-3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The event hosts equestrian professionals and enthusiasts of all riding levels, ages, disciplines and breeds. Each session will feature education, entertainment and a trade fair featuring riding equipment and apparel, horse care supplies, gifts, etc. For more information, visit www.equitanausa.com.