Photo by Captivation Media

Ten champions were crowned today at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest and most lucrative retraining program in North America, offering $139,000 in prize money that was awarded today out to tenth place in ten equestrian sports.

The Championships format is new to the Thoroughbred Makeover, allowing twice as many horses and trainers to stay through Saturday and compete for their share of the prize money. Individual discipline championship rounds took place around the Kentucky Horse Park, making for a festive atmosphere throughout the grounds. Numerous spectators lined the rails around all of the competition spaces to cheer Championship competitors home.

Full results can be found on the RRP website. Let’s meet our winners:

Barrel Racing: Battle Born
Trained by Elizabeth King (junior)
More Than Ready – Mine For Keeps, by Smart Strike
19-0-0-3, $30,665
2019 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, LLC
Owned by Robert D. Shelburne
Trained by Barry L. King
Last raced on April 27, 2024 at Churchill Downs
Sourced from Savanna Seng

“I am in southern Indiana, which is more of a Quarter horse area. For me, it was more about showing how they can place in barrel racing. My Quarter horses have one job, and they can only do that one thing — I can jump him, do horsemanship patterns on him, everything. When I got him, I didn’t even know he was Makeover-eligible until the seller mentioned it — I did some research and decided it sounded like the most fun thing ever! We’ve just been working ever since to see if we could get here. This feels like the Disneyland of horse shows!”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Breeder and farm standing sire: WinStar Farm

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography

Competitive Trail, sponsored by Godolphin: Vestal’s Gap
Trained by Nathan Bowers
Bullsbay – Ransom Past Due, by Stephen Got Even
3-0-0-1, $2,223
2022 chestnut gelding bred in West Virginia by Sterbenz Racing, LLC
Owned by Sterbenz Racing, LLC
Trained by Jay P. Bernardini
Last raced on November 20, 2024 at Mountaineer
Sourced from Jen Ruberto at Wire to Wire Sporthorses
Owned by Jody Marken

“You know, he’s just a special guy. He loves doing all the trail stuff; he’s bold and confident and when he goes in the show ring, he turns it up a notch. He’s a pretty fun little horse in that way. It means a lot — my wife [Amy Bowers] won in 2019 in the freestyle, and so this is my chance to kind of get even with her!”

Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography

Dressage, sponsored by PTHA’s Turning For Home: Patou Road
Trained by Marty Riney
Quality Road – Patou, by Ghostzapper
6-1-2-1, $82,320
2019 bay gelding bred in Kentucky by RanJan Racing, Inc
Sold via public auction at Keeneland September for $500,000, consigned by Lane’s End Farm, and Keeneland April for $110,000, consigned by Highgate Sales
Owned by RanJan Racing, Inc
Trained by Chad Brown
Last raced on March 10, 2024 at Gulfstream Park
Still owned by racing connections

“I’m just so proud of Patou. He was a rockstar all week. My favorite part of this week was just getting to spend time with him, honestly, and getting to see all of the different Thoroughbreds and how versatile they are and all they can do. It was pretty awesome.”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Former owner: Repole Stable
Farm standing sire: Lane’s End Farm

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography

Eventing, with support from Phoenix Performance Products: Sekt
Trained by Amy Faison
Mendelssohn – Champagne Forever (FR), by Mastercraftsman (IRE)
1-0-0-0, $340
2021 chestnut gelding bred in Kentucky by Genet Racing, LLC
Sold via public auction at Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale for $95,000, consigned by Bluewater Sales
Owned by PTK LLC
Trained by William D. Cowans
Last raced on August 19, 2023 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Sourced/owned by Pastured Place

“I’m so excited. I’m so proud of him. He’s only four, and he’s come such a long way this year. He’s really matured, even just this week – he’s really sorted out what he’s supposed to do. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Former owner: PTK LLC
Farm standing sire: Coolmore America

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography

Field Hunter, sponsored by Masters of Foxhounds Association: Street Ready
Trained by Kara Lee
More Than Ready – Sense To Compete, by Street Sense
31-5-3-3, $335,077, multiple graded stakes placed
2017 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by Earle I. Mack, LLC
Sold via public auction at Keeneland September for $240,000, consigned by Denali Stud
Owned by Michael M. Hui
Trained by Michael J. Maker
Last raced on November 9, 2024 at Gulfstream Park
Sourced from Second Stride, Inc.

“I’m overjoyed. It’s been surreal this whole week; this horse has shown up. I’ve always known that he was special, but I’m just glad that I was able to showcase him and let other people see how special he is. He means a lot to me, and just really came through this week and has been great.”

Recipient of ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Breeder: Ambassador Earle I. Mack
Farm standing sire: WinStar Farm

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography

Freestyle, with support from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: Bandon
Trained by Jacquelyn Dickey
Speightstown – Sansibar Jewel, by Street Cry (IRE)
1-0-0-0, $0
Owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, CHC, Inc., Gandharvi, LLC, Schwartz, M., Dubb, M., Ten Strike Racing, Bakke, J., Titletown Racing, LLC, Kuever Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Winners Win and Caruso, Michael
Trained by Brad H. Cox
Last worked on September 1, 2023 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Sourced from Jessica Redman/Benchmark Sport Horses

“I’m proud that [Bandon] can give suicide prevention a voice, as well as my son Austin. I’m very fortunate that the RRP was there for me, and that [Bandon] was able to get me through my grief. I’m hoping this brings awareness for suicide prevention and the need for it. [Bandon] has a wonderful temperament and he just tries so hard, and he knew I was struggling and he still gave me everything he had. He wanted to be a winner. He wanted to spread the message; he knew that this was important to me. He wanted to be there for me.”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Former trainer: Brad H. Cox

Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography

Polo, sponsored by United States Polo Association: Qia
Trained by Buck Schott
Mendelssohn – Qiaona, by Wilko
15-2-1-2, $36,572
2020 dark bay/brown mare bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks
Owned by Judy Hicks
Trained by Chelsey E. Moysey
Last raced on February 11, 2024 at Tampa Bay
Sourced directly from connections

“I want to thank Bethany, who works for me, first off, and Judy Hicks, who we acquired the horse from. She’s local, right near our farm. We call this mare ‘Key’ and she has been amazing to work with. She’s very polite, very intelligent. She has enough energy to her to fit all of my needs and desires, and she’s been great to work with and I’m super impressed with how she performed the last few days. I had a lighter summer than I wanted to have with her – very little polo, and she performed more than I should have ever expected.”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Farm standing sire: Coolmore America

Sarah Hartmann for Erin Gilmore Photography

Ranch Work, with support from Juddmonte Farm: Miz Mosler
Trained by B.J. Heffelfinger
Mosler – Tiz Heaven, by Tizdejavu
Unraced
2021 dark bay/brown mare bred in Maryland by W. Robert Bailes
Last worked on January 31, 2024 at Laurel Park
Sourced from After the Races

“A little over a year ago I lost my Thoroughbred, and I got her to fill his shoes. I didn’t know what we would end up doing; I got her to be a hunter or a jumper but I thought the ranch work looked really cool. I’ve never been to the Makeover before, and just to roll in and have her just do what we’ve worked on doing all year exactly like we’ve been doing it… I know everyone says it, but it’s a dream come true. I’m living in a dream right now. She’s an angel. She trusts me and she does anything I ask her to. The personality, the attitude, the willingness – she’s just smart, and willing, and trusting. It’s been more than I could have ever imagined.”

Recipient of ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography

Show Hunter, with support from Beyond the Wire: Mentha
Trained by Rachel McMahan
American Pharoah – Wild Mint, by Medaglia d’Oro
Unraced
2021 bay gelding bred in Kentucky by KatieRich Farms
Sold via public auction at Keeneland September for $230,000, consigned by KatieRich Farms
Last worked on November 27, 2024
Sourced directly from connections

“The best horse I could have had, and the best help. I thank the people I got [Mentha] from – Riley Mott and Robin Schuler. This horse is amazing.”

Makeover Champions associated with this horse:
Farm standing sire: Coolmore America

Jessica Duffy for Erin Gilmore Photography

Show Jumper, with support from by Excel Equine: Late Night Cruiser
Trained by Rebekah Vernon
Catalina Cruiser – Unbelievable Dream, by Kitalpha
5-0-0-0, $1,110
2021 chestnut gelding bred in Kentucky by Jay Goodwin, Meredith Krupp, John Hess, William Hess & Spendthrift Farm
Sold via public auction: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Mixed for $31,000, consigned by KP Sales; Keeneland September for $25,000, consigned by Machmer Hall; and Ocala Breeders’ Sale for $16,000, consigned by Blas Perez Stables
Owned by Blick Stables and Passion Racing Club
Trained by George Allan Bryant
Last raced on February 11, 2024 at Sam Houston
Sourced directly from connections via listing agent Jade Favre

“I feel over the moon. I owe it all to this horse: he is the smartest, kindest horse I’ve ever met in my entire life. He just has a heart of gold. My mom wants this horse in the worst way – I don’t know if we’ve come to an agreement yet, because the longer I have him, the more I love him. But I trust him with my life and hers, so that says everything there is to say about him.”

Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography