On the hunt for an off-the-track-Thoroughbred? There’s an app for that now!
Meet OTTB United, a sleek new app founded by Amy Rubin and developed in partnership with the Retired Racehorse Project to connect (or unite, if you will) all of the entities – buyers, sellers, shippers, trainers, aftercare organizations – involved in rehoming a Thoroughbred racehorses within in a single place. The app’s creators are OTTB enthusiasts and the app has been designed for OTTB enthusiasts alike.
Instead of scrolling in search of ads on Facebook or leafing through website after website, OTTB United provides an easy-to-use horse shopping interface that’s searchable by height, gender, location, price, age, and certain keywords. Messaging sellers is integrated within the app, as is searching for and communicating with equine shippers. You’ll also find a wide range of horses: some fresh off-the-track or even still on the track, some currently residing at well-known aftercare organizations, and some fully restarted by experienced trainers. It’s a truly impressive one-stop-shop designed to make your search for your next OTTB that much easier, no matter what you’re looking for or where you are in the country. After just one month as a live app, OTTB United has already helped to find new homes for an impressive 86 OTTBs.
We’ve pulled three horses from the app that caught our eye this week. To see their full listing, you’ll need to download the app from the App Store or Google Play. The app is free to download and browse horses, but you’ll need to purchase a premium subscription to message sellers or post horses for sale yourself. You can feel extra good about this subscription though, as it’s just $4.99 a month and a portion of that fee supports the Retired Racehorse Project and other aftercare organizations of your choice.
Val’s My Gal. Photo via OTTB United.
Val’s My Gal (THE BIG BEAST – RED HOT LOVER, BY SWORD DANCE (IRE)): 2017 16.1-hand Florida-bred gelding
This gorgeous young gelding (yes, gelding, it’s a confusing name!) has three career starts under his belt, including one win, and his last race was in July of this year.
From the app: “Uphill and athletic youngster with a great brain. Val was recently gelded but you would never know it. He is sweet and respectful. Very sporty build and lofty mover. He is barefoot in video.”
Located in Waterford, Virginia.
View Val’s My Gal on OTTB United.
Hand Tooled. Photo via OTTB United.
Hand Tooled (INDY EXPRESS – CHEROKEE WOMAN, BY CHEROKEE RUN): 2016 16.2-hand New Mexico-bred gelding
Hand Tooled, known as “Chompa” around the barn, is an unraced four-year-old with a desirable pedigree for eventing.
From the app: “Indy Express has produced a lot of event horses. This line also produced Andrea Baxter’s Indy 500 who has competed internationally at the highest of the levels. Chompa is currently unstarted but has a quiet demeanor and should be a fairly easy horse to start. He is a big mover and showed a great technique on his first time over fences.”
Located in Clovis, California.
View Hand Tooled on OTTB United.
Starship Explorer. Photo via OTTB United.
Starship Explorer (BLUEGRASS CAT – FANCY PRANCER, BY BERTRANDO): 2012 17.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
This eight-year-old came off the track in 2018 after making 33 career starts and earning $76,512. He’s since been going eventing!
From the app: “‘Astro’ has competed up to Training level eventing. He is immensely talented but requires an experienced rider. He can get quite strong so he needs a rider that can ride from the seat and not just the hand. Could be an amazing horse for the right person. Very flexible on price and lease options. The right home is the first priority! No vices, trailers well, can be turned out alone or in a group. An absolute sweetheart in the barn!
Located in Ocala, Florida.
