Annual award honors for-profit resellers of off-track Thoroughbreds.

 

The Retired Racehorse Project announced today that nominations are open for the 2018 Ira Schulman Thoroughbred Rehoming Award, which will be presented at the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, held Oct. 4-7 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

 

This award celebrates the legacy of Ira Schulman, the renowned horseman who placed thousands of off-track Thoroughbreds in a career that spanned more than 50 years. Schulman himself was the first recipient of the award at the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover. He died just a few months later in March 2018 at the age of 80, and is believed to have placed more Thoroughbreds in his lifetime than any other individual or organization.

 

Going forward, the Ira Schulman Thoroughbred Rehoming Award will be presented annually to an individual who continues Schulman’s legacy of repurposing off-track Thoroughbreds in new careers, doing so responsibly and creating successful partnerships. Although many non-profit organizations rescue and rehome ex-racehorses, this award is intended to honor professionals who include Thoroughbred retraining as part of their business models.

 

“Professional resellers like Ira Schulman play an important role in rehoming Thoroughbreds retiring from the racetrack,” said Jen Roytz, RRP’s executive director. “Many of these horses are sound and ready to start learning the skills for new careers right away. These trainers know what qualities to look for in a horse that will make it suitable for a particular rider or discipline, and have the connections within the sport horse world to market them effectively. When done responsibly, this process transitions these horses into new lives quickly and efficiently, and benefits not only the reseller, but also the horse and its new owner. We’re thrilled to be able to give these professionals some recognition at the Thoroughbred Makeover in Ira’s name.”

 

To be eligible, a nominated individual, business or for-profit reseller or listing agent must place a minimum of three off-track Thoroughbreds annually, and must not have won the award in the prior year. Those nominated do not need to be members of RRP or participants in the Thoroughbred Makeover. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for the award.

 

Nominations may be submitted online via the Thoroughbred Makeover website: www.tbmakeover.org/ira-schulman-rehoming-award-form

 

Individuals or businesses may submit their own nomination forms, or may be nominated by someone else. Nominations will be accepted through July 31. A selection committee will review nominations and announce up to five finalists by Aug. 15. A public vote will be held to determine the winner, and voting will close on Aug. 31. The winner will be announced on Sept. 3, and the award will be presented during the Makeover Finale on Saturday, Oct. 6.

 

The winner will be featured in the Fall 2018 issue of RRP’s Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, which will be distributed at the Makeover, and will receive a free full-page ad in the Winter 2018-2019 issue and a prize package from Purina.

 

The award is sponsored by Tiffany Teeter, a longtime friend of Schulman’s. “I owe a lot to the Thoroughbred! For over 50 years, I have been lucky to recognize the courage, heart and athletic ability of these animals,” said Teeter. “This award in Ira’s honor is a small payback for all these horses have done for those fortunate enough to ride them.”

 

Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP offers online directories, educational resources, and publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine.