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Special Awards

Special awards are sponsored by individuals, organizations, or companies to support their own initiatives and goals. Thoroughbred Makeover Champion, People's Choice Award, and Ambassador Award are offered every year. Other awards rotate in and out depending on sponsor interest.

Thoroughbred Makeover Champion

Presented by: Churchill Downs

The Thoroughbred Makeover Champion is the overall winner of the event, chosen from the ten discipline winners by the judges from all disciplines. Judges will rank each horse from 10th -1st, with each place having a point value associated (1st ranking highest and worth 10 points and so on) and the horse accumulating the most points is crowned the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion. Judges are asked to consider which horse they believe is the best trained of the ten finalists

Cash prize: $10,000 to the winner
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2022 Winner: She's a Bold One (Jeanna Denver)

People's Choice Award

Presented by: Achieve Equine

Awarded to the horse chosen by public popular vote as the most inspiring entry from among the 10 discipline winners. The winner is chosen by the audience, both those watching live in the arena and online around the world, via text message vote. The People’s Choice winner wins the right to direct a donation to the equine-related 501(c)3 of their choosing.

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2022 Winner: Prince of New York (Chris Bennings)

The Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award

Sponsored by: Pyrois Media

Awarded to a Makeover trainer, official, or volunteer who best embodies a spirit of horsemanship, sportsmanship, cooperation, teamwork, and inclusivity. Makeover staff and officials nominate and select the winner, who receives the Bill Kraatz Memorial Trophy in honor of our beloved chief steward who represented all of these qualities and passed away in early 2022.

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2022 Winner: Nathan Bradley

Best Conditioned Award

Presented by: Stonelea Farm

A trophy halter and $200 cash prize will be awarded to the best conditioned horse in each division.

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2023 Special Awards

As special awards are confirmed for 2023, they will be listed here. Past offering of special awards by organizations or individuals does not confirm current availability.

All 2023 Special Awards will be awarded based upon the results of preliminary competition. In the event of a tie, prize money will be split.

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Special Awards

Makeover Champion
Ambassadors
Best Conditioned
2024 Awards
Past Awards

2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award

This award is intended to recognize a Thoroughbred Makeover graduate horse which has well represented the athleticism and trainability of the retired racehorse beyond racing. Any Thoroughbred Makeover graduate from 2023 or earlier, including horses that were registered for the competition but never competed, is eligible for nomination. A panel of past Makeover judges and officials will select the winner from the pool of nominees.
Nominate A Grad
Nominations are now closed.

Thoroughbred Makeover Champion

Cash prize: $10,000 to the winner
Presented by: Churchill Downs
The Thoroughbred Makeover Champion is the overall winner of the event, chosen from the ten discipline winners by the judges from all disciplines. Judges will rank each horse from 10th -1st, with each place having a point value associated (1st ranking highest and worth 10 points and so on) and the horse accumulating the most points is crowned the Thoroughbred Makeover Champion. Judges are asked to consider which horse they believe is the best trained of the ten finalists.
2024 Winner: Big Fame ridden by Angela Carmitchel
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Past Winners
2023
Knockemdown ridden by Alison O'Dwyer
2022
She's a Bold One ridden by Jeanna Denver
2021
Forthegreatergood ridden by Laura Sloan
2020
Thunderous Affair ridden by Lindsey Partridge
2019
Cowboy Swagger ridden by Fallon Taylor
2018
Reloaded ridden by Elisa Wallace
2017
Old Tavern ridden by Charlie Caldwell
2016
Fairway Kind ridden by Lauren Turner
2015
Soar ridden by Lindsey Partridge
2014
Icabad Crane ridden by Phillip Dutton

The Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award

Presented by: N/A
Named for past chief steward Bill Kraatz, who passed away in 2022, the Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award was reimagined for 2024, shifting focus to recognize a Thoroughbred Makeover graduate horse who has gone on to serve as an ambassador for the athleticism and trainability of the retired racehorse in its career beyond racing.
2024 Winner: Talk Show Man, 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover Graduate
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Past Winners
2023
Lisa Belsha
2022
Nathan Bradley
2021
Winner: Dr.Shannon Reed;
Honorable Mention: John Roberts
2019
Alyssa Myatt and Peg Sorenson
2018
Jen Ruberto
2017
Kyle Rothfus
2016
Michelle Craig
2015
Olivia Dixon

Best Conditioned Award

Presented by: Retired Racehorse Project
A trophy halter from KBC Horse Supplies will be awarded to the best conditioned horse in each division.
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2024 Special Awards

View Previous Results

People's Choice Award

Presented by: Achieve Equine
Awarded to the horse chosen by public popular vote as the most inspiring entry from among the 10 discipline winners. The winner is chosen by the audience, both those watching live in the arena and online around the world, via text message vote. The People’s Choice winner wins the right to direct a donation to the equine-related 501(c)3 of their choosing. This award was discontinued after 2023.
Past Winners
2023
Arklow ridden by Gina Gans
2022
Prince of New York ridden by Chris Bennings
2021
Icarius ridden by Alexandra Beckstett
2020
Legend’s Hope ridden by Jazz Napravnik

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