Month: July 2022

Consumer Advisory: MDARD Reminds Animal Trainers, Owners to be Vigilant when Accepting New Clients

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July 20, 2022

Scammers targeting horse trainers, others with promises of new animals that never arrive

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is urging horse trainers, horse owners, and others in the livestock industry to be cautious when accepting new clients or purchasing new animals. Scammers are posing as new clients who want to bring in their horses to be trained by local trainers, but their vehicle breaks down when transporting the animal, and the requests for money begin.

MDARD is currently assisting the Michigan State Police with a case in Otsego County where scammers were targeting horse trainers, horse owners, and others connected to the horse industry who are at least 60 years old and use social media to manage their business.

“MDARD routinely works with the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement to provide specialized guidance and advice related to animal and public health,” said Dr. Nora Wineland, State Veterinarian. “Our Animal Industry Division’s Compliance Investigative Unit is dedicated to investigating issues related to the movement of animals throughout the state to protect animal and public health. At MDARD, we will continue to look out for Michiganders and their animals.”

Scammers reach out to local horse trainers via text or social media direct message claiming to have gotten the trainer’s information from another known contact in the trainer’s social media network. After a deal is made to transport the horse for training, the scammers will again contact the trainer to explain how their vehicle has broken down and they need money to make repairs and continue traveling.

The scammers will then request the money be given to them in the form of a gift card, having the numbers on the card read or sent directly to them. If a trainer refuses to make this transaction, scammers will threaten to contact the trainer’s other clients and drive away their business or harass the trainer in other ways.

MDARD continues to assist the Michigan State Police, who is the lead agency for scam investigations, on this case. The agencies are encouraging those working in a livestock-related business to be mindful of the following warning signs when beginning to interact with new clients:

  • Using English inaccurately in written messages.
  • Being evasive or combative when asked about more specific details.
  • Providing excuses for why certain deadlines or requests will not be met; the excuses usually sound reasonable.
  • Avoiding giving their full name; preferring to use their first name only.
  • Trying to change a decision through emotional manipulation or threats.
  • Requesting to use gift cards as a form of payment.

If you think you may have been contacted or victimized by one of these scammers, please contact your local police department. If you think you have provided a payment to a scammer, please contact your banking institution immediately.

For more information on how to identify and protect yourself from scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

LOUISIANA CUP DAY SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 WITH PURSES OF $67,000 FOR EACH OF THE SIX STAKES

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Nominations Will Close Saturday, July 23

 

Bossier City, LA – The highly anticipated Louisiana Cup Day will take place on Saturday, August 6 at Louisiana Downs. Nominations will close for the six stakes for Louisiana-breds on Saturday, July 23 with strong interest from horsemen for the features, each valued at $67,000.

The annual stakes day is always special for breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys as the entire card shines the spotlight on Louisiana-breds. The options are plentiful with stakes written for juveniles, sprints and turf routes.

Trainer Ron Faucheux plans on sending several runners to Bossier City for Cup Day.

 

Fame Feather and Strong Beauty are in consideration for the Filly and Mare Sprint. Fame Feather, a 7-year-old mare, sired by Lion Tamer, sprang the upset in the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle on June 4 at Evangeline Downs for Picard Thoroughbreds Racing Stable LLC. Strong Beauty, a 5-year-old daughter of Overanalyze, owned by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, ran fourth in that feature.

Bertie’s Galaxy has run in two editions of the Louisiana Cup Day sprint and exits a victory in the

$75,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint on June 4 at Evangeline Downs. After conferring with owner  Allen Cassedy, Faucheux is planning on giving the 6-year-old son of Greeley’s Galaxy a few months off.

However, he is considering testing Dorgenois, who just broke her maiden on July 15 at Evangeline Downs. Jim and Natalie Montgomery, prominent in Louisiana Quarter Horse racing, bred the daughter of Gormley to the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Money Peg.

“We love coming to Louisiana Downs for the big day,” said Faucheux.

Faucheux has many memories of his Louisiana-breds winning their Cup Day races, including millionaire Sunbean, who captured the 2016 Louisiana Turf Classic. One of his most popular competitors was the brilliant Monte Man.

The son of Custom For Carlos, bred by Val Murrell, was claimed for just $5,000 by Ivery Sisters Racing in 2017 at Belmont Park. He made his first start in Louisiana on December 17, 2017, winning an allowance at Fair Grounds, prior to reeling off seven consecutive wins, including a victory in the 2018 Louisiana Cup Sprint at Louisiana Downs. The bay gelding earned $794,233 in 50 career starts, competing at each of the four Louisiana racetracks. He concluded his remarkable run in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint on December 11, 2021.

Murrell had always assured Faucheux and Brian Ivery that once Monte Man was ready to retire, he would have his own pasture at Clear Creek Stud in Folsom, Louisiana. Faucheux has made several trips to visit the popular gelding.

“He’s doing great,” reported Faucheux. “They are taking great care of Monte Man and he still looks racy! He was such a barn favorite, and we all miss him, but we always believe in doing right by our horses.”

The draw for the six features on Louisiana Cup Day will take place on Saturday, July 30. The stakes are as follows:

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        5 ½ furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             5 ½ furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff                      3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

Louisiana Cup Day Festivities

Racing fans of all ages are invited to enjoy the festivities offered on August 6 at Louisiana Downs.

Family-friendly activities on the trackside apron include live music, inflatable bounce houses and water slides, face painting, and much more! Also, enjoy tasty bites from the city’s best food trucks. And don’t forget to claim your FREE $5 wager while you are there!

Handicapping Preview Show Begins at Noon on Cup Day

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a pre-race handicapping preview at 12:00 pm in the Inside Rail, located on the first floor of the grandstand. They will offer analysis and their selections for each of the races on the Louisiana Cup Day card. The seminar is free and open to all racing fans.

Scholarship Drawings Set for Louisiana Cup Day

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will take place after the fifth race. The races begin at 1:45 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. at the designated registration booth.The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2022.

Must be in good standing with the college or university.

Must be present at the drawing location to win.

Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

Louisiana Post Times Update

Louisiana Downs announced that post times for the duration of the 2022 Thoroughbred season will get underway at 3:05 pm (Central Time).  The lone exception will be on Louisiana Cup Day, when post time will be 1:45 pm on Saturday, August 6.

The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs began on May 7 with live racing eachSaturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The 84-day live racing season will conclude  on September 27.

For further information on live racing, simulcasting and promotions, visit LAD.com.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

NTRA Debunks Some Commonly Held Myths About HISA

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By Thomas J. Rooney, President & CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Change is never easy, especially change being brought about by the federal government imposing national uniform reforms in an industry long regulated at the state level. I served in the House of Representatives for 10 years, representing 750,000 people from South Florida. I heard day in and day out from my constituents on how we in the government could do things better. This feedback drove the work I did in Congress. Since I started at NTRA, I’ve been meeting with my new thoroughbred racing constituency to hear about the major issues they face and how the NTRA can help. One of the most common concerns revolves around a bipartisan bill signed into law by President Trump in 2020 known as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA).

The fact of the matter is, Thoroughbred racing has needed change for quite some time. We all know that. The path we were going down was not sustainable, and after some challenging years we could not as an industry keep doing business as usual. Accordingly, since the passage and implementation of HISA, I’m optimistic that together we can work to preserve horse racing so that future generations can also enjoy it. The best way to do that is by creating fairness and safety across the nation for the people and horses that make up this sport we love.

HISA officials are doing all they can to educate and communicate with industry stakeholders covered by the law. I think it’s important to separate facts from myths, so misinformation doesn’t get in the way of the Authority’s work. So let me try to set the record straight.

 

Myth: HISA has very broad powers of search and seizure under the law, which violates the Fourth Amendment.

Fact: HISA regulations are very similar to those long used by state horse racing authorities and courts usually affirm those powers.

State horse racing authorities have long exercised investigatory and enforcement powers over licensed entities that are similar to those provided in HISA. More broadly, courts have dismissed search-and-seizure objections critics have raised because participants in closely regulated industries have diminished expectations of privacy. While individuals have a Constitutional right to privacy, there is no Constitutional right to own, race, and train horses. Licensed individuals are only able to participate under the terms of their license and if rules are violated, that license can be revoked. However, HISA has made it clear their regulatory authority extends only to matters relating to racing. So any argument claiming HISA extends beyond matters relating to racing is wrong.

 

Myth: Many states don’t currently have a voided claim rule, and now HISA is regulating all claims to the detriment of owners and trainers.

Fact: HISA provides a long needed, nationwide voided claim rule which will standardize the process for all claims, eliminate confusion and protect owners and trainers.

For years, voided claim programs have been confusing and challenging, even for regulators. In many states, voided claim rules don’t exist at all. HISA aims to standardize this process. It will require a claim be voided in five specific circumstances (death, euthanasia, bleeding, being vanned off the track or testing positive for prohibited substances) making the rules clearer and leveling the playing field. Primarily this rule is intended to protect the welfare and safety of horses. Additionally, this rule is intended to protect people who sell horses through the claiming business but also ensure those purchasing horses are getting a fair purchase.

 

Myth: HISA’s Committees are not representative of the Industry.

Fact: The Advisory Committees are made up of veterinarians, chemists, a jockey, former track owners and operators, breeders, former heads of equine sales companies, and a wide array of highly regarded independent directors with expertise both within and outside of horse racing.

HISA has worked with stakeholders from every facet of the industry to make the Advisory Committees as representative and inclusive as possible. HISA has also sought and received public comment on every proposed rule and regulation, so that any parties not directly represented on the Committee could share their input. While it is impossible for everyone to have a seat at the table, the Authority has made every effort to have representation and input be as wide-ranging as possible.

 

Myth: HISA is going to cost too much and small tracks and small owners will no longer be able to participate in the industry.

Fact: While not all state racetracks and regulators have finalized funding mechanisms for HISA fees, the best way to drive down the cost per covered individual is by every segment of the industry participating.

The concern over cost is a very valid one that I don’t want to minimize. The cost assessment model is based on 50% starts and 50% purses, which is intended to help the smaller tracks. HISA will also be looking for supplemental funding models as they move forward. The best way to drive down cost is for all industry participants to pay their share, which will bring down the cost for each covered individual. In the end, if it leads to a safer sport with a higher degree of transparency and integrity, then it will be money well spent. That, after all, is what we all want and what people expect.

 

…

 

When I first took this job, I met with a well-known trainer and asked him what he wants for racing. He said one word: fairness. With minimum standards of fairness across the country, Thoroughbred racing and betting will be more competitive and more fun. We must continue to work together as an industry to improve our sport, so the dream of future generations enjoying horse racing can become a reality.

Jockey Club Round Table Conference Returns to In-Person Event

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After being held virtually for two years due to COVID-19, The Jockey Club’s Annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing will be held as an in-person event in 2022 and hosted for the first time at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. Scheduled for Sunday, August 14, at 10 a.m. ET, the conference will also be streamed on The Jockey Club’s website, jockeyclub.com, and Facebook page,facebook.com/USJockeyClub.

The full agenda and bios of all speakers will be announced and posted on jockeyclub.com in advance of the conference.

The Jockey Club Round Table Conference was first held on July 1, 1953, in The Jockey Club office in New York City. The following year, it was moved to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The conference has featured discussions on myriad critical industry topics, including aftercare, equine safety, marketing, and national uniformity, as well as international perspectives and viewpoints from outside the Thoroughbred industry.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America’s Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

LTBA Special Board Meeting Tuesday, July 19

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There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors on Tuesday July 19, 2022 at 2:00pm, at Equine Sales Company of Louisiana. The Board will meet to discuss and vote on a updated version of the By-Laws of the Association.

Louisiana Breds Prove Value in Open Stakes Across the Country

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Louisiana breds have proved time and again that they can compete with top runners all across the country. Over the weekend, Louisiana bred runners performed exceptionally well in open stakes in Iowa, Delaware and Kentucky.

On Friday, July 8th, Janet is Ready, a two-year-old Louisiana bred filly by Custom For Carlos out of Just Call Me Janet won the $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes at Prairie Meadows. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee took the lead soon after the start, led up the backstretch and held on to the lead despite a late challenge to win by a head in her 3rd start.

Then Saturday at Prairie Meadows, Free Like a Girl, also a Chasey Deville Pomier trainee, set the pace in the mile and one sixteenth $225,000 Iowa Oaks (G3). The three-year-old filly dueled with eventual second place runner Falconet around the turn, but failed to move for the lead and held on for third earning graded stakes sire status for El Deal, who leads the list of Louisiana Second Crop sires. Free Like a Girl, who is out of Flashy Prize, was voted 2021 Louisiana Bred two-year-old champion filly. She has started 3 times in 2022, winning two Louisiana bred stakes races, before placing in the G3 Iowa Oaks. Her record to date is 14-7-3-3 with $423,873 in earnings.

Also Saturday, 2021 Louisiana Bred three-year-old champion filly and 2021 Louisiana Horse of the Year, Cilla (California Chrome-Sittin At The Bar), placed second by half a length in the $100,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware Park. A graded stakes winner at 3, Cilla has now accumulated $504,000 in 17 starts with 7 wins, 2 second and 3 thirds.

Then at Ellis Park, Louisiana Bred, Mystique Saboteur ran third among open company in the Pea Patch Overnight Stakes. The filly by Gun Runner out of Jemima’s Pearl, earlier this placed 2nd in the Goldfinsh Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

MATT CRAWFORD NAMED RACING SECRETARY AT LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that Matt Crawford has been named Racing Secretary, effective July 18. He will oversee racing office operations for both the current Thoroughbred racing season and the 2023 Quarter Horse meet.

 

Crawford, 65, began his career in horse racing as an assistant trainer. His association with Louisiana Downs began in 1980 with one of his trainees, Big Sturgeon, named 1987 Horse of the Meet. Crawford made his transition to numerous racing office roles, beginning at Louisiana Downs, where he was employed as assistant racing secretary from 2008-2013. He has served as racing secretary at Delta Downs, Canterbury Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Ruidoso Downs, Zia Park and Hialeah Park. Most recently, Crawford was racing secretary for the Lone Star Park Fall Meet of Champions and assistant racing secretary for their 2021 and 2022 Thoroughbred live racing seasons.

 

The native Texan is looking forward to returning to the Bossier City racetrack, encouraged by the dedication to racing by new owner Kevin Preston and Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing.

 

“I know so many horsemen in this region who are thrilled with the direction of Louisiana Downs,” said Crawford. “As someone in the industry who began training racehorses, I share the commitment of Kevin and Mitch in creating energy and enthusiasm for our sport. They have a great racing office team in place, led by Jennifer Sokol, Racing Operations Manager and assistant Racing Secretary, Tammy Peck. I am looking forward to this opportunity.”

 

In turn, Dennison knows that Crawford’s expertise as a racing secretary coupled with his long term associations with Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas horsemen, will make for a smooth transition.

 

“Matt has a noted tenure in our industry and knows our region very well,” said Dennison. “We are fully committed to serving our horsemen at the highest level and know that Matt shares that goal. He joins an established racing office team, well-coordinated by Jennifer Sokol. There is no doubt that Matt will be a great fit as he returns to Louisiana Downs.”

 

The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs began on Saturday, May 7 with live racing each Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Louisiana Cup Day, featuring six stakes for Louisiana-breds is set for Saturday, August 6. The purse for each has been raised to $67,000 with nominations closing on July 23. The 84-day live racing season will conclude  on September 27.

 

 

Post Times Moved Up Saturday Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10

Due to expected high temperatures this weekend, Louisiana Downs has moved up post times for both Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 live racing programs. Adjusted posts, all Central Time, are as follows:

 

Race 1             11:45 am

Race 2             12:13 pm

Race 3             12:41 pm

Race 4             1:09 pm

Race 5             1:37 pm

Race 6             2:05 pm

Race 7             2:33 pm

 

For further information on live racing, simulcasting and promotions, visit LAD.com.

 

 

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

Study: Inbreeding, Specific Genetic Marker May Decrease A Thoroughbred’s Likelihood To Race

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by Paulick Report Staff

 

Scientists at the University College Dublin, the University of Edinburgh, and the Irish equine genetic testing company Plusvital conducted a study to determine the relationship between inbreeding and the likelihood of a Thoroughbred to make it to the races. The study, titled “Inbreeding depression and the probability of racing in the Thoroughbred horse,” was published June 29, 2022 in the peer-reviewed scientific journal “Proceedings of the Royal Society B.”

The study looked at the genomes of 6,000 Thoroughbreds across Europe and Australia, and demonstrated that for every 10 percent increase in inbreeding, there was a 44 percent lower chance that the horse would make it to the races. In addition, the study pointed to a specific genetic marker which was related to a significant decrease in the likelihood that that horse would make it to the races.

According to the study, that genetic marker (EFNA5) is responsible for encoding the ephrin ligand, which is broadly expressed during tissue development and repair. Among its roles are: neonatal muscle development and regeneration, regulation of cardiomyocytes, skeletal development, fracture repair, and cartilage repair.

 

Read Paulick Report Article

NET A BEAR RALLIES IN FINAL YARDS TO WIN THE $60,000 OPELOUSAS STAKES

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ALLEN LANDRY TRAINEE PICKS UP SECOND STAKES VICTORY OF THE SEASON

 

Net A Bear edges Lady Valentine to take the Opelousas Stakes. Coady Photography.

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Racegoers enjoying the Family Night activities at Evangeline Downs witnessed Net a Bear pick up another stakes victory in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes on Friday night.  The Allen Landry trainee was a winner of the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff in her most recent start.  The one-mile race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, originally scheduled for the turf, was contested over a main track rendered sloppy by persistent afternoon rains.

Lady Valentine was away sharpest from her inside post and set out to an early lead, with Splenda Gail and favored Quin Ella in close pursuit.  Net a Bear and jockey Tim Thornton were away in good order and settled into stride towards the back of the field of seven runners.  Lady Valentine was allowed to set comfortable fractions of an opening quarter-mile in 24.07 and a half-mile in 47.81.  Moving into the far turn Quinn Ella edged forward past Splenda Gail to put some pressure on Lady Valentine, while Net a Bear was steadily gaining on the leaders while saving ground with an inside trip.

Through six furlongs in 1:12.92, Quinn Ella moved to the lead at the top of the lane outside of Lady Valentine.  Net a Bear was angled out from the rail to the middle of the track to commence her stretch winning drive.  In the final sixteenth of a mile, Lady Valentine had battled back to retake the lead from Quinn Ella but was not able to hold off Net a Bear in the final yards.  Net a Bear’s winning margin was a neck over Lady Valentine, with Quinn Ella another 1-1/2 lengths back in third.  The running time for the mile was 1:39.52.

Owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, Net a Bear earned $36,000 for the victory.  The win is the 13th from 35 career starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $651,970.

The 6-year-old mare was bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll.  Sired by Awesome Bet, the bay mare is out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.

Net a Bear returned $6.10 as the slight second-choice in the wagering to win, $3.80 to place and $2.20 to show.  Lady Valentine was worth $8.20 to place and $3.40 to show.  Quinn Ella paid $2.60 to show.

Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post.  The featured event is the $60,000 John Henry Stakes.  The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until August 27.

Thoroughbred Makeover Marketplace Expands in Partnership With the ASPCA

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Thanks to the continued generous support of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced today that the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, will include for the first time the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn, in addition to the returning ASPCA Makeover Marketplace. The ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn, open through the Makeover on October 12-15 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, will include Thoroughbred horses of varying ages and backgrounds who are up for adoption from partner organizations of the ASPCA Right Horse program.

“Our continued partnership with the Retired Racehorse Project has been a fantastic avenue to support placing retired racehorses in new careers and loving homes,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare “We are thrilled to launch the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn this year to help even more Thoroughbred enthusiasts find their right horse through equine adoption.”

Participating horses will be identified closer to the event and a list of participating organizations will be published in the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace catalog, available both digitally and printed as an insert to the Fall 2022 issue of the RRP’s award-winning publication, Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine. The Fall magazine issue also doubles as the Thoroughbred Makeover program. Leading up to the event, prospective adopters can visit www.myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines, to search for adoptable Thoroughbreds.

In addition to the horses available through the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn, the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace catalog is expected to include over one hundred transitioned, restarted and competition-experienced Thoroughbreds who will compete at the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover. Interested shoppers and adopters have the unique opportunity to watch horses perform, take a trial ride in a designated arena, and vet prospects on-site, all in one location, in one weekend. The trial arena and ability to schedule pre-purchase exams are also open to the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn participants, as well.

“We’re grateful for the ASPCA’s continued support of the Makeover Marketplace and their commitment to the RRP’s work,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “Through their Right Horse program, the ASPCA has fostered a new level of collaboration and innovation within the equine welfare community. The ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn is just one example of that, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to expand the scope of the Marketplace to serve more Thoroughbreds.”

The ASPCA Makeover Marketplace has become an adopter’s or buyer’s trusted source for Thoroughbreds for sport and pleasure. Makeover graduates available through the Marketplace have undergone extensive preparation for the event, with emphasis placed on a healthy transition from the track and appropriate training and exposure to a big show environment. Past ASPCA Makeover Marketplace graduates have gone on to successful careers in eventing, hunter/jumper, field hunter, western performance, pleasure, and trail riding.

Organizations wishing to participate in the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn are encouraged to sign up by August 15th, 2022, as space is limited. More information is available on the RRP website.

Sign up to receive your free copy of the ASPCA Makeover Marketplace catalog, including the list of organizations participating in the ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Barn as well as Makeover graduates available for sale and adoption. The digital catalog will be released at theRRP.org after August 15 and the print version will be mailed in late September.
About the Retired Racehorse Project

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization working to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds in the equestrian world. In addition to producing the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the world’s largest and most lucrative retraining competition for recently-retired racehorses, the organization also publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, produces the Master Class retraining clinic series, and presents programming at major horse expos and events around the country. The RRP maintains an educational library of content to empower more equestrians to ride a Thoroughbred.

 

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.