Florida Thoroughbred Charities and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association are awarding a $1,000 cash prize to the highest-placed Makeover horse in preliminary competition that is an FTBOA-registered Florida-bred.

More than 250 recently-retired Thoroughbreds—both retired racehorses and former broodmares—will compete in one or two of ten offered disciplines all over the Kentucky Horse Park, showcasing the athleticism and trainability of the ex-racehorse as they transition to new careers.

Seventeen Florida-breds are among the horses vying for the championship.

Florida-breds in the National Makeover Competition
JC Name Trainer First Name Trainer Last Name
Gav N Brody Melanie Lynn McJannet
General Robinson Olivia Lefferts
Go Green Niamh O’Connell
Governor Atwood Keegan Oswald
Happy Farm Jocelyn Brooks
Harry’s Onthebeach Madelyn DuBois
Joe Brains Laurine Fuller-Vargas
Kitty Quick Samantha Leach
Majestic Pharoah Bethany Glaser
My Man Vito Laura Stepic
Pachi Kaitlynn Buchholz
R Hot Mess Meadow Van Engen
Revelatory Jenna Cannock
Shakem N Breakem Kari Wilbanks
Shesmisunderstood Jordyne Chernitsky
Stirdatpot Mike Leverett
Whistle Me Home Madalyn Allen

 

“I am thrilled we are supporting an award for Florida-breds. It’s exciting to see them compete this year and I am pleased to see so many Florida-based trainers from so many disciplines ready to showcase talent coming out of the Sunshine State,” said FTC Executive Director Tammy A Gantt. Gantt is also vice president of membership, events and sales for FTBOA. 

In honor of Makeover week, Gantt is presenting Thoroughbred Retirement: What do horses do after they retire from racing? as part of the Master the Possibilities community learning program at On Top of the World in Ocala on Thurs., Oct. 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. Community members are encouraged to come learn about the boundless career opportunities for horses, how they make a difference in people’s lives, and where past Kentucky Derby champions reside. RSVP here.

The 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, takes place on Oct. 8-11 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 charitable organization working to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest and most lucrative retraining competition in North America for recently-retired racehorses and former broodmares, as well as the largest gathering of those with an interest in Thoroughbred aftercare. 

Return to the October 8 issue of Wire to Wire