Ten champions were crowned on Saturday 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. Here are the winners of the English-disciplined events:
Eventing: Sekt and Amy Faison
- OTTB: Sekt, 2021 chestnut gelding bred in Kentucky by Genet Racing LLC
- Trainer: Amy Faison
- Supported by: Excel Equine
- Pedigree: Mendelssohn—Champagne Forever (FR) x Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Racing stats: 1-0-0-0, $340
- Owned by: PTK, LLC
- Trained by: William D. Cowans
- Last raced: Horseshoe Indianapolis, August 19, 2023
- Amy said: “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
Show Hunter: Mentha and Rachel McMahan
- OTTB: Mentha, 2021 dark bay gelding, bred at KatieRich Farms in Kentucky
- Trainer: Rachel McMahan
- Supported by: Beyond the Wire
- Pedigree: American Pharoah—Wild Mint x Medaglia d’Oro
- Racing stats: Unraced
- Sourced: Directly from racing owner
- Rachel said: “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
Show Jumper: Late Night Cruiser and Rebekah Vernon
- OTTB: Late Night Cruiser, a 2021 chestnut gelding bred by Jay Goodwin, Meredith Krupp, John Hess, William Hess and Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky
- Trainer: Rebekah Vernon
- Supported by: Excel Equine
- Pedigree: Mendelssohn—Champagne Forever (FR) x Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Racing stats: 5-0-0-0, $1,110
- Owned by: Blick Stables and Passion Racing Club
- Trained by: George Allan Bryant
- Last raced: Sam Houston, February 11, 2024
- Rebekah said: “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.”
Dressage: Patou Road and Marty Riney
- OTTB: Patou Road, a 2019 bay gelding bred by RanJan Racing Inc.
- Trainer: Marty Riney
- Supported by: PTHA’s Turning For Home
- Pedigree: Quality Road—Patou x Gostzapper
- Racing stats: 6-1-2-1, $82,320
- Owned by: RanJan Racing, Inc.
- Trained by: Chad Brown
- Last raced: Gulfstream Park, March 10, 2024
- Sourced: Still owned by racing connections
- Marty said: “I’m just so proud of Patou. He was a rock star 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
Field Hunter: Street Ready and Kara Lee
- OTTB: Street Ready, a 2017 dark bay gelding bred by Earle I. Mack, LLC
- Trainer: Kara Lee
- Supported by: Masters of Foxhounds Association
- Pedigree: More Than Ready—Sense To Compete x Street Sense
- Racing stats: 31-5-3-3, $335,077, multiple graded stakes placed
- Owned by: Michael M. Hui
- Trained by: Michael J. Maker
- Last raced: Gulfstream Park, November 9, 2024
- Sourced: Second Stride, Inc.
- Kara said: “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
