Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Thoroughbred Makeover by the Numbers

The 2018 Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover is just a week away. Over 500 OTTBs will converge on the Kentucky Horse Park from Oct. 4-7 to compete and show off their training in second careers. These former racehorses are coming from a host of different states (or countries!), found various levels of success on the track, and range in age from three to 13 years old. Take a look at the video above for a breakdown of the 2018 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover stats.

And don’t forget — the Thoroughbred Makeover isn’t just a competition; it’s also a celebration and exhibition of the breed’s versatility, plus it’s a sale too! Many of the horses entered in the Makeover will also be available to be seen and tried at the event. You can check out the horses that will be up for sale in the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace Catalog. To get you started, here are three sales horses who’ll be competing in the eventing portion of the Makeover:

Musical Flair. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project.

Musical Flair (SONGANDAPRAYER – HIGHWAYTOHAPPINESS, BY CATIENUS): 2009 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Sale information from the Makeover Marketplace Catalog:

“You won’t be able to get a horse with as much heart as Jay. With an incredible 97 starts and no injuries, you know he is built to last long. He has three beautiful gaits, correct form over jumps, and a big personality. He absolutely loves his new job and his favorite thing is jumping – the more challenging the jump the better he is. He has been to multiple eventing and jumper shows over the summer along with many off property lessons and clinics. He is the type of horse that is better off property than he is at home! He has a solid foundation of dressage and jumping and is ready to compete and win. Jay is very brave on cross country and careful in show jumping. I could see him being very competitive in jumpers as he is quick on his feet and can jump a big jump. Suitable for young rider, pony clubber, or an amateur. Slightly negotiable on price to perfect home.”

Mutaka. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project.

Mutaka (MUTAKDDIM – KRISKA KREME, BY CHARISMATIC): 2010 16.3-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Sale information from the Makeover Marketplace Catalog:

“This warhorse Mutaka, known as Mu in the barn, is a 16.3 hand 9 year old bay off the track thoroughbred gelding. He came off the track after winning his last race in October 2016. He raced 53 times and was given let down time after the track. Mu is sound and currently in training to be an event horse, but could go in any direction! Right now he is a kick ride and would be suitable for an amateur or junior, but he has enough scope, talent, and athleticism to also be fit for a professional.

He began his training for a new career at the very end of June 2018 and is already schooling beginner novice in all three phases with a snaffle. I have taken him cross country schooling once and he didn’t look at anything (not even the ditch)! I took him to his first combined test not long ago and he went into and around a dressage ring and a real show jump course for the first time with no problems. He didn’t look at the judges box or the flowers/decorations underneath the jumps. He did not have a problem with horses cantering around in the warm up. I do not have an arena, so all of his training has been in a wide open field with occasional trips to an indoor.

He lunges, ties, is good for the farrier/vet, trailers, clips, has lead changes, is able to be worked alone, etc.. Mu is the same horse away from the farm as he is at home. He is very kind and gets along with any horse. Mu doesn’t buck, rear, spook, or bolt. I hack him bareback around our 40 acre field alone all the time. He is still a little unbalanced (he is a big boy!), but improves with every ride. He is currently located in Kansas City, Missouri, but will be in Kentucky the entire month of October.”

Coconut Roll. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project.

Coconut Roll (VICTOR’S CRY – HOLY DEEDS, BY HOLY BULL): 2013 16.3-hand Ontario-bred gelding

Sale information from the Makeover Marketplace Catalog:

“Rollo is a big, powerful horse with potential to become a solid upper-level eventer, jumper or dressage horse. In the long run he could be a hunter star but his conformation and uphill way of going currently better suit him to the jumper ring. He works at all gaits on a supple contact, knows the basics of lateral work and has solid flying changes. He has schooled fences up to 3’6” with plenty of room to move up, and is currently focusing on technique and rideability through gymnastics and smaller fences. He jumps liverpools, ditches, logs, trakehners and coops. He has schooled off property in the hunter, jumper and cross country rings and while he can be more up in a new environment, he is still very rideable and focused on his work.

Rollo is best suited for an advanced rider to develop, or confident intermediate rider working with a coach. In the future he is expected to be an amateur-safe ride, but he is still a year or two’s worth of training away from being that steady. Rollo has participated in jump clinics under the tutelage of international event riders such as Buck Davidson, Stuart Black and Momo Lafrombroise. All have had extremely positive feedback about his gaits, jumping style, rideability and athletic talent. The future is extremely bright for this stellar young horse!

Rollo is well-behaved for all aspects of handling including trailering, bathing, shoeing and veterinary work. He is a favourite with barn staff and boarders for his easy-going nature and goofy personality. Rollo is a cribber, which is currently controlled with a collar. He has front shoes with corks, is barefoot behind.”