The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that a new special award will be offered at the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America and taking place Oct. 4-7 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) is sponsoring a $2,500 cash prize for the top-placed Louisiana-bred at the competition. Ten Louisiana-breds took part in the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover, competing in eventing, dressage, show jumpers, show hunters, and polo. Louisiana was ranked eighth among states and Canadian provinces for the most horses entered.

“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our Thoroughbreds by helping our former runners secure a beautiful life after their time on the racetrack is done,” said Roger Heitzmann III, secretary-treasurer of LTBA. “We believe that by assisting the Retired Racehorse Project, former racers have the ability to show to others the true beauty of the Thoroughbred, as well as their continued usefulness.”

The LBTA award will be presented to the Louisiana-bred that earns the highest percentage of the total possible score in any of the 10 disciplines offered. Almost 800 trainers have been accepted to compete in the 2018 event. Many trainers have not yet purchased the horse they intend to compete, and the cash award will offer an extra incentive to shop for an eligible mount bred in the Pelican State.

“I am very excited about multiple awards being added to the Makeover this year. I’m especially enthusiastic about the LTBA providing an award for Louisiana-breds,” said retired jockey and RRP board member Rosie Napravnik, who is based in New Orleans and markets retiring Thoroughbreds for second careers. “This will boost the market for horses in Louisiana, considering that there are currently no organizations in the state for retraining or adopting Thoroughbreds.”

Any Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbred that raced or had a published work on or after July 1, 2016, is eligible to compete in the Makeover, as long as the horse did not start retraining for a second career prior to Dec. 1, 2017.

The Thoroughbred Makeover is the flagship event for RRP, a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to increasing the demand for and value of Thoroughbreds in their careers after racing. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover.