The flexibility of Thoroughbreds was on show just some miles from Keeneland Race Course Oct. 8-11 when the Retired Racehorse Challenge topped 10 Thoroughbred Makeover champions on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
After two days of preliminary competitors, the occasion’s new format was on show when 10 horses from every self-discipline continued competing within the ring that they had visited within the preliminaries for the championship spherical on Saturday.
Beforehand, solely the highest 5 in every self-discipline certified for the championship with the complete championship spherical happening within the coated area.
Whereas many opponents select to concentrate on solely one of many 10 disciplines supplied on the Thoroughbred Makeover for horses of their first yr of retraining, every horse on the makeover had the choice of competing in as much as two disciplines. This labored out effectively for a lot of with 10 of these finalists competing in two divisions.
Whereas no horse received each of their disciplines this yr, the Amy Faison-trained Sekt impressed judges sufficient in each to take dwelling two top-five placings. Sekt completed final in his solely begin as a racehorse and his racing homeowners rapidly determined he wanted a brand new profession. He discovered precisely that when sourced by Faison from Pastured Place.
The gelding has performed a lot better on this space, profitable eventing by practically three factors over the second-place finisher. He additionally completed fifth in Present Leaping with Faison excited for what’s to come back with the off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB).
“I’m so excited. I’m so happy with him. He’s solely 4, and he’s come such a great distance this yr. He’s actually matured, even simply this week – he’s actually sorted out what he’s presupposed to do. I couldn’t be prouder of him,” she advised Retired Racehorse Challenge.
A reputation very seemingly acquainted to racing followers is Sibelius, who additionally caught the attention on the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover.
Educated by Jerry O’Dwyer on the racetrack, Sibelius received 9 of his 27 begins with seven different top-three finishes for greater than $1.8 million in purse earnings. His crowning second as a racehorse got here within the 2023 Dubai Golden Shaheen when he gave his coach O’Dwyer’s first Grade/Group 1 win. A particular horse to their household, Sibelius stayed with the O’Dwyers after retirement from racing to transition to a present profession and was proven in two disciplines on the makeover by Jerry’s spouse, Allison.
The richest horse at this yr’s Thoroughbred Makeover, Sibelius scored a forty five in dressage – simply six factors behind the winner – to complete third in that occasion. Including Freestyle to his resume as effectively, Sibelius completed eighth in his second self-discipline.
Sibelius could not have received, however a number of graded stakes-placed Road Prepared represented the stakes contingent effectively with a win within the Area Hunter division.
Racing 31 instances over six seasons, Road Prepared positioned in each the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes and Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes as a racehorse whereas amassing $335,077 in purse earnings. Retired in November 2024 after a win, he was sourced via Second Stride by Kara Lee.
The Area Hunter victory got here right down to the wire for Road Prepared with three horses scoring 138 and Road Prepared’s 138.500 rating simply 0.167 higher than second place and 0.333 higher than the third-place finisher.
“I’m overjoyed. It’s been surreal this complete week; this horse has proven up. I’ve at all times identified that he was particular, however I’m simply glad that I used to be in a position to showcase him and let different individuals see how particular he’s. He means loads to me and simply actually got here via this week and has been nice,” Lee mentioned.
The opposite self-discipline winners have been Battle Born in Barrel Racing; Vestal’s Hole in Aggressive Path; Patou Highway in Dressage; Bandon in Freestyle; Qia in Polo; Miz Mosler in Ranch Work; Mentha in Present Hunter; and Late Night time Cruiser in Present Jumper.
In the event you’d wish to be taught in regards to the Retired Racehorse Challenge and the necessities to compete within the occasion, go to https://www.therrp.org. For full outcomes from the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover, click on right here.
