Photo by Sarah Schaaf

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has returned as the title sponsor of the 2024 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, taking place October 9-12 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Thoroughbred Makeover is the banner event of the RRP, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing.

“Churchill Downs Incorporated is dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of our equine athletes,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations at CDI. “These thoroughbreds have thrilled and inspired fans on our racetracks for years and it is an honor to support the Thoroughbred Makeover that provides a platform for them to do the same thing off the racetrack, highlighting their versatility, athleticism and intelligence for a new audience and potentially a new career.”

The Thoroughbred Makeover Champion is selected from a pool consisting of all ten discipline champions at the Thoroughbred Makeover Finale, including the sports of barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, polo, ranch work, show hunter, show jumper, and freestyle (a free-form discipline showcasing skills of the trainer’s choosing). The Thoroughbred Makeover Champion is awarded a trophy cooler as well as a $10,000 cash prize, part of the over $100,000 awarded at the largest retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses.

“The continued impact of the Retired Racehorse Project is dependent on racing institutions such as Churchill Downs Incorporated and their recognition that successful aftercare is a multi-faceted issue,” said Kirsten Green, RRP executive director. “The RRP is deeply grateful to CDI for many years of meaningful support and partnership.”

The Thoroughbred Makeover is produced by the RRP and meant to inspire more equestrians to get involved with the Thoroughbred breed, supporting the RRP’s mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. In addition to producing the Thoroughbred Makeover, the RRP provides additional services for the organizations and professionals that transition ex-racehorses to second careers, as well as ample educational materials and opportunities to empower equestrians to be successful with the breed.

To learn more about the upcoming Thoroughbred Makeover and the work of the Retired Racehorse Project, please visit TheRRP.org.