The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, is the banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds in careers after racing. In addition to producing the Makeover, the RRP also creates educational content and programming, maintains services to aid in the transition of horses from racing to sport, and inspires more equestrians to get involved with Thoroughbreds.

As the largest and most lucrative retraining competition of its kind, the Thoroughbred Makeover has become a bucket-list show for many equestrians all over North America, driving demand for recently-retired Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and putting the spotlight on the trainability and athleticism of the breed. It’s the largest gathering of those with a professional interest in aftercare, including both the racing and equestrian industries and offering opportunities for both of these industries to come together and celebrate the Thoroughbred.

The Makeover brings equestrians from all over North America to the cradle of the Thoroughbred industry in Lexington, Kentucky. Makeover trainers visit Keeneland for morning works, tour the breeding farms where their horses were born and raised, and visit the stallions that sired their horses who are transitioning to new post-racing careers.

For the racing industry, the Makeover offers an opportunity for breeders and past connections to reconnect with former horses, meet the new connections transitioning those horses into a second career, and show their support for and interest in Thoroughbred aftercare.

How can you support the Thoroughbred Makeover?

Attend: The 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover takes place on October 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Every horse competes over October 11-12 in preliminary competition, which is a great opportunity to experience all of the disciplines offered. The Makeover is free to attend.

Connect: Connect with former horses. Once 2024 trainers are formally accepted, we’ll update the new entry list as horses are registered.

Share: Can’t attend in person but interested in sharing updates about your former horse? Send us an email at kbentley@therrp.org and we’ll make sure to send you updates throughout the event with photos you can post

Tag Us: Did you go to the Makeover to cheer for your former horse? Post about it on your social media and tag the Retired Racehorse Project! The official event hashtag is #TBMakeover

Donate: Donate to Fund-a-Need: There are many underlying costs with producing the Thoroughbred Makeover, and our Fund-a-Need lets donors help us cover those expenses with a contribution as small as $2. Fund-a-Need now!

Have a retiring racehorse you’d like to see go to the Makeover?

Connect them with future Thoroughbred Makeover trainers via the RRP Horse Listings. “Future Makeover Prospect” listings indicate that the horse is believed to be eligible for a future Thoroughbred Makeover.

Scholarship listings allow you to support your horse through the Makeover itself, with funds held in escrow by the RRP to cover stabling and first discipline fee for the horse at the Thoroughbred Makeover.

View the Horse Listings and create your own at https://www.therrp.org/horse-listings/.