The flexibility of thoroughbreds was on show only a few miles from Keeneland Racetrack when the Retired Racehorse Challenge topped 10 Thoroughbred Transformation Champions from Oct. 8-11 on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
After two days of qualifying competitors, the occasion’s new format was showcased as 10 horses from every self-discipline continued to compete within the ring they visited for qualifying for Saturday’s Championship Spherical.
Beforehand, solely the highest 5 in every self-discipline certified for the championship, and the championship spherical was held in a lined area.
Though many rivals select to concentrate on solely one of many 10 occasions supplied at Thoroughbred Makeover through the first 12 months of retraining, every horse at Makeover had the choice of competing in as much as two occasions. This labored out nicely for a lot of, with 10 of the finalists competing in two classes.
Though no horse received each disciplines this 12 months, Sekt, educated by Amy Faison, impressed the judges sufficient in each disciplines to earn two top-five finishes. Sekt completed final in his solely begin as a racehorse, and his racing house owners shortly determined he wanted a brand new profession. He discovers simply that when he will get data from Faison of Pastured Place.
The gelding carried out significantly better on this self-discipline, profitable the eventing occasion by practically three factors over the second-place horse. He additionally completed fifth in present leaping, and Faison had excessive hopes for the off-track thoroughbred (OTTB).
“I am so excited. I am so pleased with him. He is solely 4 years previous, however he is come such a great distance this 12 months. He is actually grown up this week alone. He actually understands what he must do. I could not be extra pleased with him,” she advised the Retired Racehorse Challenge.
A well-recognized title to race followers is Sibelius, who additionally made headlines in his 2025 Thoroughbred makeover.
Educated by Jerry O’Dwyer on the racetrack, Sibelius received 9 of 27 begins, completed within the high three seven instances, and earned greater than $1.8 million. His finest second as a racehorse was when he gave coach O’Dwyer his first Grade/Group 1 win on the 2023 Dubai Golden Shaheen. A particular horse to their household, Sibelius remained with the O’Dwyer household to transition right into a present profession after his retirement from horse racing and was proven in two disciplines throughout his makeover by Jerry’s spouse Alison.
Sibelius, the richest horse on this 12 months’s Thoroughbred Makeover, scored 45 factors in dressage and completed third, simply six factors behind the winner. Including freestyle to his resume, Sibelius completed eighth in each occasions.
Sibelius could not have received, however Avenue Girl, who has raced in a number of graded stakes, represented the stakes nicely by profitable the Subject Hunter division.
Raced 31 instances in six seasons, Avenue Prepared positioned in each the Grade 2 Ft. As a racehorse, he competed within the Lauderdale Stakes and the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes, amassing earnings of $335,077. Though retired in November 2024 after the win, he was raised by Kara Lee by Second Stride.
Subject Hunter’s victory rested on Avenue Girl, whose three horses scored 138 factors, and Avenue Girl’s 138.500 rating was simply 0.167 factors forward of second place and 0.333 factors forward of the third-place horse.
“I am so completely happy. This previous week has been so unimaginable. This horse has come alongside. I’ve at all times identified he was particular, however I am actually completely happy to have the ability to introduce him and let different folks understand how particular he’s. He means a lot to me and he is labored actually arduous this week,” stated jockey Lee.
The opposite subject winners have been Battle Born in Barrel Racing. The distinction in Vestal’s competitiveness. Dressage Patou Highway. Freestyle Bandung. Kia Polo. Ms. Mosler works on a ranch. Present Hunter Mensa. and the Present Jumper Late Night time Cruiser.
If you need to be taught extra in regards to the Retired Racehorse Challenge and the necessities to take part within the occasion, please go to https://www.therrp.org. Click on right here for the whole outcomes of the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover.
