Claiborne Farm and Lane’s End Farm Co-Sponsor Thoroughbred Makeover Former Broodmare Division

June 18, 2024

Lucky Milady and Stephanie Potter compete in Show Hunter through the 2023 Former Broodmare division. Photo by Kacy Brown

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that Claiborne Farm and Lane’s End Farm have committed to a co-sponsorship of the Former Broodmare division at the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.

First run as a pilot program in 2023, the Former Broodmare division is now an official competition avenue at the Thoroughbred Makeover, welcoming recently-retired broodmares to compete alongside the traditional retiring racehorse division in all ten offered disciplines. Broodmares will be pinned and recognized separately, and compete for a separate pot of $10,000 in prize money.

“Claiborne is happy to once again be one of the lead sponsors of the Thoroughbred Makeover’s Former Broodmare division,” said Claiborne president Walker Hancock. “With so much recent and warranted attention directed towards aftercare, we think this is a brilliant concept that gives those broodmares more purpose and helps to highlight their achievements outside of the breeding shed.”

The RRP’s Thoroughbred Makeover has made a measurable impact on Thoroughbred aftercare, with prices for horses retiring off the track steadily increasing each year since the event began and more first-time participants turning to the breed as their next partner for sport or recreation. The addition of the Former Broodmare division was a response to the recognition that retiring broodmares are an underserved population within the Thoroughbred industry in need of efforts to increase demand to aid in the transition to third careers.

“Lane’s End is proud to participate as a sponsor of the Former Broodmare Division at the Thoroughbred Makeover,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End. “Since its inception, the RRP has helped raise the profile of aftercare and showcase the diverse talents of the off-track Thoroughbred. The new broodmare division is another unique opportunity as an avenue for second or even third careers to showcase the athletic abilities of the Thoroughbred.”

The pilot year of competition in 2023 saw former broodmares represented in nine of ten offered Thoroughbred Makeover disciplines, with a total of 26 mares registered for competition. The majority of those mares were retired due to reproductive issues, rather than advanced age or commercial performance of offspring; the average age of registered former broodmares was 12.

“The response we received when we announced this pilot program back in 2023 made it so clear that our industry was in need of appropriate outlets for retiring Thoroughbred broodmares,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “We’re proud to contribute to improving outcomes for this special population of horses, and commend Claiborne and Lane’s End for their leadership and commitment to these horses.”

The Former Broodmare division is also made possible by a grant from the ASPCA. Eligible broodmares will have produced a foal or have been bred in the 2022 breeding season or after, as reported by The Jockey Club, and need to have had one lifetime start or published work. They may not have had prior shows or competitions before December 1, 2023, when training for the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover officially opened across all divisions. Late applications are still being accepted through June 28 for the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover; learn more about the Former Broodmare division, eligibility requirements and the Thoroughbred Makeover at TheRRP.org.

In Other News

October 3, 2024

2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Event Survey

No excerpt…
Read More
October 2, 2024

Follow Along with the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover

The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project is coming October 9-12! Here’s how to follow all the action.…
Read More
Featured image for “Follow Along with the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover”
October 1, 2024

Retired Racehorse Project Announces 2024 Makeover Champions Participants

The RRP announced today the list of former breeders, owners, trainers, stallion farms and other connections participating in Makeover Champions, the RRP’s new initiative to encourage more public support of Thoroughbreds in careers beyond racing via the Thoroughbred Makeover.…
Read More
Featured image for “Retired Racehorse Project Announces 2024 Makeover Champions Participants”
September 30, 2024

Connections Corner Signup Form

No excerpt…
Read More
September 27, 2024

Real Rider Cup Fair Hill Raises $80,000 for Thoroughbred Aftercare, Announces Plans To Go West

As of this writing, the event has raised over $600,000 for Thoroughbred aftercare and Motion has a vision to expand the event model to benefit more aftercare entities.…
Read More
Featured image for “Real Rider Cup Fair Hill Raises $80,000 for Thoroughbred Aftercare, Announces Plans To Go West”
September 24, 2024

RRP Announces Format Changes for 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover

Beginning in 2025, the Finale Championship event will be replaced by individual discipline championships, welcoming back the top ten highest-placed horses after preliminary competition.…
Read More
Featured image for “RRP Announces Format Changes for 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover”
September 23, 2024

Tieback Surgery 101: Possible Complications & Long-Term Care

Done correctly, tieback surgery helps a Thoroughbred both on the racetrack and in his second career.…
Read More
Featured image for “Tieback Surgery 101: Possible Complications & Long-Term Care”
September 17, 2024

2024 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award: Talk Show Man

Talk Show Man, a 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover graduate, is the first recipient of the reimagined Ambassador Award.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award: Talk Show Man”
September 13, 2024

Churchill Downs Incorporated Returns as Title Sponsor of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion

This title is awarded to the horse selected by a panel of judges as having the highest level of training at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America.…
Read More
Featured image for “Churchill Downs Incorporated Returns as Title Sponsor of Thoroughbred Makeover Champion”
September 11, 2024

September Trainer Newsletter: Special Awards, Clinics, Party Tickets, and more.

26 days stand between all of us and the start of the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover. This email contains vital information to get you through those 26 days. Do not skip it. Special Award Nominations are posted and inquiries are open…
Read More
Featured image for “September Trainer Newsletter: Special Awards, Clinics, Party Tickets, and more.”
September 10, 2024

Trainer Newsletter: 2024 Makeover Clinics Now Open! (Plus Final Entry Edits & Fun Stuff)

Happy September, class of 2024! We’re pleased to announce that the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Clinics, sponsored by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, are now open for sign-ups! Please log in to the Trainer Portal at theRRP.org and tap New Clinic Registration…
Read More
Featured image for “Trainer Newsletter: 2024 Makeover Clinics Now Open! (Plus Final Entry Edits & Fun Stuff)”
September 10, 2024

Thoroughbred Charities of America Returns as Title Sponsor of Thoroughbred Makeover & National Symposium

TCA provides exceptional commitment to improving the lives and welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses both on and off the track, which has guided its support of the RRP since 2012.…
Read More
Featured image for “Thoroughbred Charities of America Returns as Title Sponsor of Thoroughbred Makeover & National Symposium”
September 6, 2024

Webinar: Diagnose Before You Treat

Sponsored by Bluegrass Equine Surgery; featuring Dr. Heath Manning of Bluegrass Equine Surgery. Recorded August 2024.…
Read More
Featured image for “Webinar: Diagnose Before You Treat”
August 26, 2024

Meet the Thoroughbred Makeover Class of 2024

It’s time for our annual deep dive into the data we collected on this year’s Makeover class!…
Read More
Featured image for “Meet the Thoroughbred Makeover Class of 2024”
August 19, 2024

Joint Care for Racehorses & Its Impact on Post-Race Careers

Many options exist to help Thoroughbreds stay sound and comfortable at the racetrack and after racing.…
Read More
Featured image for “Joint Care for Racehorses & Its Impact on Post-Race Careers”
August 10, 2024

August Trainer Newsletter: Changes to 2024 Makeover

Please read this newsletter for a message from our Executive Director regarding changes that are being made to this year’s Thoroughbred Makeover event. The remainder of this newsletter will include reminders for upcoming deadlines and newly scheduled webinars. 2024 Makeover…
Read More
Featured image for “August Trainer Newsletter: Changes to 2024 Makeover”
August 5, 2024

2024 Aftercare Industry Month: The Difficult-to-Place Horse

Presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation. Originally recorded February 27, 2024.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Aftercare Industry Month: The Difficult-to-Place Horse”
August 5, 2024

2024 Aftercare Industry Month: Networking Within the Industry

Presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation. Originally recorded February 20, 2024.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Aftercare Industry Month: Networking Within the Industry”
August 5, 2024

2024 Aftercare Industry Month: How Does Your Contract Hold Up?

Presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation. Originally recorded February 13, 2024.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Aftercare Industry Month: How Does Your Contract Hold Up?”
August 5, 2024

2024 Aftercare Industry Month: Making Aftercare Your Full-Time Job

Presented by Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation. Originally recorded February 6, 2024.…
Read More
Featured image for “2024 Aftercare Industry Month: Making Aftercare Your Full-Time Job”
August 1, 2024

Trainer Newsletter: Final Entry Open

The Final Entry form is officially open! Log into the Trainer Portal now to complete your form. The Final Entry form will close at 5pm EST on Thursday, August 15th. If you do not submit the final entry form and…
Read More
Featured image for “Trainer Newsletter:   Final Entry Open”
August 1, 2024

Retired Racehorse Project Introduces Makeover Champions Program for Racing Industry

The program invites members of the Thoroughbred racing industry to demonstrate public support for former connected horses who are headed to the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover.…
Read More
Featured image for “Retired Racehorse Project Introduces Makeover Champions Program for Racing Industry”
July 29, 2024

Selling the Transitioned Thoroughbred

Selling the transitioned Thoroughbred, whether that horse is still developing or is considered more finished, is a bit of a different process than selling prospects right off the track: we consulted two experienced sellers to learn more.…
Read More
Featured image for “Selling the Transitioned Thoroughbred”
July 16, 2024

Volunteer Sign-Ups Now Open for 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover

Help us produce the biggest celebration in Thoroughbred aftercare on October 9-12!…
Read More
Featured image for “Volunteer Sign-Ups Now Open for 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover”