Ten champions were crowned today at the 2026 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 $135,000 guaranteed base prize money and nearly $40,000 in additional special awards. 

Now in its second year, the Thoroughbred Makeover’s expanded Championships format continues to provide more horses and trainers with the opportunity to compete on Saturday for their share of the prize money. Preliminary competition took place Wednesday and Thursday, with the top 10 in each discipline returning Saturday to compete in championship rounds across the Kentucky Horse Park.

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

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Barrel Racing, presented by Boehringer Ingelheim: White Dove
Trained by Gunnar Harbison 
Violence – Tizway That Way, by Tizway
13-2-0-2, $25,477
2021 gray/roan mare bred in Kentucky by H&E Ranch
Owned by Cazares Racing Stable LLC
Trained by Joseph D. Davis
Last breezed June 5, 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis

“I’m really proud of her. She did really good, especially for getting her in June off the track. She took to training excellent. She’s really good minded and she loves her job.”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Competitive Trail, presented by Godolphin Lifetime Care: Our Girl Flint
Trained by Maximiliano Castro 
Flintshire (GB) – Sugarandice, by Dixie Union
16-0-1-1, $22,097
2021 bay mare bred in Kentucky by Randy Bloch & John Seiler
Owned by BSF Equine Athlete LLC
Trained by Juan Padilla
Last raced October 9, 2025 at Remington Park

“I’m very, very proud of her and super happy because she did way better than I thought. I know she’s a great horse. She’s very willing to do what I ask every time, and she’s always trying to do her best for both of us.”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Dressage, presented by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners: Twice a Dollar
Trained by Elliott Timmons 
Twice As Bad – My Last Dollar, by Paddy O’Prado
2-0-0-0, $200
2022 bay filly bred in Kansas by John Borst
Owned by Patricia Weelborg
Trained by Carlos Padilla
Last raced February 1, 2025 at Sam Houston

“It feels amazing. Not bad for a little eventer.”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Eventing, presented by Bourbon Lane Retirement Fund: Al Tirah
Trained by Rory Catherine Parks 
Cross Traffic – My Gal Lexie, by Sultry Song
18-1-0-2, $24,170
2020 gray/roan mare bred in Kentucky by Modo Tesio Equine, LLC
Owned by Arnaldo Monge
Trained by Darragh Holden

“This horse is a once in a lifetime horse. I got her from a good friend who is actually here. I knew her at the track, and I immediately went into the barn after not being there for a while and said ‘I want this one when she’s done.’ This is a once in a lifetime horse and this will be my 5* horse hopefully!”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography 

Field Hunter, presented by Masters of Foxhounds Association: Set Point (IRE)
Trained by Shelly Talk 
Sea The Stars (IRE) – Hot Sauce (IRE), by Peintre Celebre
28-4-2-1, $73,690
2018 bay gelding bred in Ireland by Highfort Stud & Mrs. Olivia Hoare
Owned by Del Rio Racing LLC
Trained by Richard J. Hendriks
Last raced March 22, 2025 in Aiken, South Carolina

“I am beyond excited. I am so thrilled with this horse. Dreams do come true.”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Freestyle, presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: River in Egypt
Trained by Lauren Slavin
Cairo Prince – Glide On By, by Pure Prize
8-2-1-0, $62,018
2020 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by the Estate of Harvey A Clarke, Paul Braverman, Sebastian Murat & Steven
Owned by Newtown Farm
Trained by Daisy K. Olivo
Last breezed January 11, 2026 at Fair Grounds

“Since being partnered with River, he’s made all my dreams come true. He steps up to every challenge, and I couldn’t be more proud of every new adventure we take on together.”

Polo, presented by United States Polo Association: Red Regret
Trained by Robert Pizarro 
Bucchero – E Major, by E Dubai
3-1-0-0, $7,850
2022 chestnut filly bred in Florida by Adam Parker and Suzette ParkerOwned by Berndt Racing Stable, Inc.
Trained by Joel Berndt
Last raced August 7, 2025 at Canterbury Park

“This horse is really special to me. I’ve always played polo and made some horses for fun, but this is the first horse I’ve bought all on my own without the help of my family. She’s an amazing horse: super talented, athletic. I’m just really happy for the horse.” 

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Ranch Work, presented by Juddmonte Farms: Our Girl Flint
Trained by Maximiliano Castro 
Flintshire (GB) – Sugarandice, by Dixie Union
16-0-1-1, $22,097
2021 bay mare bred in Kentucky by Randy Bloch & John Seiler
Owned by BSF Equine Athlete LLC
Trained by Juan Padilla
Last raced October 9, 2025 at Remington Park

“We took her to practice with cows only one time before the Makeover, but to be fair, we have goats at the ranch so she’s seen livestock. At home on the ranch, she’s willing to do anything, and we go on lots of trail rides. I’m so proud of her and how relaxed and willing she has been at both divisions.”
 

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Show Hunter, supported by Phoenix Performance Products: My Sobriety
Trained by Lauren Silverstein 
Volatile – Boom Boom Boom, by More Than Ready
Unraced
2022 gray/roan gelding bred in Kentucky by Jay Goodwin, Meredith Krupp & Borrowdale LLC.

“I bought another thoroughbred from an owner the year before so when he called me up to say that he had another one asking if I wanted him, I said ‘yup!’ I went and picked him up, and he has literally been a unicorn every day since.”
 

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography

Show Jumper, presented by WinStar Farm: Li’l Lang
Trained by Santistevan Sport Horses Club Team at CSU Team
Tapiture – Positively Jean, by Midshipman
Unraced
2021 bay gelding bred in New York by Lucas Stritsman

“He’s been absolutely phenomenal this entire week. He’s really shown up. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. He is one of the best partners and one of the best horses I’ve had in a while.” 

The Thoroughbred Makeover will return to the Kentucky Horse Park October 13-16, 2027. Updated rules and further information will be available in late 2026 at theRRP.org.