The Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created the Thoroughbred Makeover to showcase the trainability and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. The competition is intended to inspire good trainers to become involved in transitioning these horses to second careers, and the National Symposium serves to educate the people involved in the care, training, and sale of these horses to responsible owners. This is the only national gathering of the organizations, trainers, and farms dedicated to serving these horses when they retire from racing.
- What: The largest Thoroughbred retraining competition in the world for recently-retired ex-racehorses
- When: October 7-12, 2023
- Where: Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington
- How horses are acquired for competition: Trainers are responsible for acquiring their own eligible horses, whether through an aftercare organization, directly from track connections or through a reselling agent. Trainers may opt to list their horse for sale via the Makeover Marketplace, but there is no requirement to sell the horse after the competition