Our sport’s first events back after a COVID-19 induced hiatus took place last weekend so we’re all itching to start getting out there again if we haven’t already. It’s a bit like a reset to the season, but think of it in the same way as you think of coming back into work after a winter off-season break.
Speaking of time to start again, there are always off-track Thoroughbreds out there looking for a new beginning no matter what time of year it is. Here are three adoptable OTTBs that caught our eye this week:
Sweet Hall. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.
Sweet Hall (GRAEME HALL – SWEETTAY, BY CRAFTY FRIEND): 2012 15.3-hand Florida-bred mare
“Louise” last raced in September 2019, retiring after 54 starts, and has been with her current owners since October 2019 living out on pasture 24/7 and generally enjoying life. She’s undergone the beginning of being restarted and is entered in the 2020 RRP. Her owner says she is curious and “will zip right up to you in the pasture for scratches.” She can be a bit anxious and therefore needs a more of a confident owner, though she is quite bold and not spooky.
Located in Georgia.
View Sweet Hall on the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.
Step Ten. Photo via Second Stride.
Step Ten (BLAME – TWICE TOLD TALE, BY TALE OF THE CAT): 2017 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
This pretty boy is a truly good-looking prospect and is priced as such in hopes that he’ll pave the way for a couple more horses to find fresh starts through Second Stride. Step Ten raced just once and retired sound but slow. He did have throat surgery in the past but trained fine afterwards and could have a future as a sport horse.
Located in Prospect, Kentucky.
View Step Ten on Second Stride Inc.
Smart Russian. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project Horse listings.
Smart Russian (SMARTY JONES – RUSSIAN CLASSIC, BY REGAL CLASSIC): 2013 16.0-hand New York-bred gelding
No wonder this good-looking chestnut is a smart-looking guy — he’s a son of 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. Smart Russian raced 36 times between 2016 and 2019, earning a total of $83,370. Since coming off the track he’s had some downtime and has more recently been working in a Pessoa lunging system. He’s a quick learner and is ready to be restarted in earnest.
Located in New York.
View Smart Russian on the Retired Racehorse Project Horse Listings.
