We’re inching ever-closer to 2019 Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover, which will be held October 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. As always, there are various monetary prizes up for grabs to top-placing horses in various categories.
This year’s biggest prize, $6,500 cash sponsored by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc. (KTOB), will be awarded to the highest-placed Kentucky-bred at the competition. It’s fitting that the largest special award will be a highly competitive one — Kentucky-breds typically make up about one-third of all Makeover entries, according to RRP. Similarly, Kentucky-breds typically make up the largest percentage of North American Thoroughbreds born each year. Of the 20,800 Thoroughbreds born in 2019, a whopping 41% can call the Bluegrass State their Old Kentucky Home.
In that vein, this week our OTTB Wishlist brings you three Kentucky-breds looking for their next gig:
Cardinal Coach Mac. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.
Cardinal Coach Mac (POINT OF ENTRY – ASPEN WHISPER, BY MR. GREELEY): 2016 16.3-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
This tall and flashy guy goes by “Big Mac” around the barn — a fitting nickname for the 16.3-hand gelding. This three-year-old raced 7 times and earned a respectable $54,395 in those few starts. Despite winning his maiden and placing respectably in his other starts, Big Mac actually has a little more ‘whoa’ than ‘go’ under saddle so he is retiring without any known issues so that he can hopefully find a career that he likes a little better.
Big Mac is a goofy but polite gelding who is the low man on totem pole in the field. He has adjusted to life off the track seamlessly and even though he’s not an alpha horse, that doesn’t stop him from playing and having a good time in turnout. Despite being young and still very green, Big Mac is already very relaxed while working under saddle, giving to the bit, and brave.
Located in Lexington, Kentucky.
View Cardinal Coach Mac on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption
Souperfast. Photo by Second Stride Inc.
Souperfast (BROKEN VOW – PLAYA MAYA, BY ARCH): 2011 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
Souperfast was indeed that for a good while, winning 7 out of his 29 career starts and earning just over $288,000. Since his racing performance started to drop off recently, his owners wanted to give him a chance to also be successful off the track as well and are looking to rehome him while he is sound and has unlimited potential for a second career. Souperfast arrived very recently to Second Stride and hasn’t had full entry evaluation yet, but so far he seems to have no limitations. He was extremely well-behaved for his first ride off the track and looks like a kind-eyed gentleman who aims to please.
Located in Prospect, Kentucky.
View Souperfast on Second Stride, Inc.
Tuaandtwentysix. Photo by Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.
Tuaandtwentysix (GIANT’S CAUSEWAY – SEA OF SHOWERS, BY SEATTLE SLEW): 2016 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
Another easy-going chestnut gelding, “Tua” came to the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center straight off the track in June and has never looked back. While Tua simply loves being the center of attention and being pampered, he’s also curious and willing to work. He is just as happy being under saddle and learning how to be a riding horse as he is being cuddled in the barn. Tua raced just six times, never with any remarkable placings.
Located in Lexington, Kentucky.
