I have had a Thoroughbred in my life for almost my whole equestrian lifespan. Each one of them magically came into my life with a story at the right time and the right place. Like many equestrians, I am an amateur with a full-time job that is not horse related but has aspirations to make it in the equestrian world. On top of that, I own my own property and manage my own horse farm, and it is hard work that takes dedication and true love. It’s real sweat, blood, and tears being an adult amateur in this time and age. When a horse comes into my life, I am with them for the long haul.

Author at Drafted’s retirement ceremony. (Katie Tarasevich photo)

I was riding my off-the-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Socket to Me at an urban trail ride that weaved through traffic to visit a local beach and a festival, and we even visited a local nursing home on horseback. As usual, I was the only one riding on a Thoroughbred until I saw one more in the distance. I was able to catch up and talk to the owner, and that’s where I first heard of the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. How could I have owned OTTBs my whole life and had never heard of this before?! My FBI search skills mode was activated, and I researched everything I needed to know. 

My loving and supportive husband bought me an OTTB for Christmas that year. When a gray OTTB goes up anywhere, it’s the luck of the draw if you even get a chance to even see it. They go that fast! Well, it was my lucky weekend as the first person backed out of viewing Up the Power that Saturday. I was crazy enough to come on a Sunday with no vet available and was willing to do my own evaluation. Who could say no to a beautiful gray gelding?

Up the Power and I entered the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover competition, placing 52nd in dressage and 24th in freestyle. Sadly, a year or so later he had a freak accident in the field and had to be put down. That same year my semi-retired OTTB Shack Martin, who I had had for 14 years, passed away. I was devastated and I told myself no more Thoroughbreds.

The world changed in 2020 with COVID-19 and then my health went downhill with a horrible spiral fracture of my right ankle. After almost two long years with multiple ankle surgeries, I was finally pain free and my doctor said I could ride again full time. However, this time around, I felt different as my confidence was shattered due to always worrying about my ankle. But I was very determined and was ready to jump-start my riding goals with my number one item on the list being the Thoroughbred Makeover. 

Drafted with trainer David Duggan. (Katie Tarasevich photo)

I adopted two Standardbreds through the New Vocations (NV) Racehorse Adoption Program and wanted to continue to work with NV as it has been the most rewarding experience as they truly work to find horses the perfect home. I spoke to one of the trainers at New Vocations about a few potential horses and explained what I was looking for in one. A few made the match but did not qualify for the Thoroughbred Makeover.

After a few months of searching, I was a little distraught and didn’t think I was going to be able to find the “one.”  

As it happened before and is familiar to other equestrians, it’s a magical phenomenon when a horse finds you. The perfect horse, another gray Thoroughbred, recently retired, but there was a catch — I couldn’t adopt him quite yet. He had to attend his very own retirement ceremony at Saratoga Race Course!

My husband and I made the journey from Virginia to New York to attend the retirement ceremony of the 10-year-old gelding Drafted. He is a global millionaire warrior that has traveled and raced all over the world making 38 starts on three continents – Europe (England), Asia, (Dubai and Saudi Arabia), and North America (U.S.). He won multiple group stakes in Dubai, the Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct, the Grade 3 Runhappy Stakes at Belmont Park, the Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park, and the Gravesend Stakes at Aqueduct with total earnings overall of $1,171,593 in his career.

At his ceremony, Drafted got to walk the racetrack one last time and show to the public how Thoroughbred aftercare programs truly care about the horses and their second careers. It was my first time seeing in person this special moment between racing connections coming together to wish their horse the best in his second career.

After we watched a few races and explored Saratoga Race Course, we visited the National Museum of Racing and enjoyed learning even more about the history of Thoroughbred racing. The next day, we loaded up the famous racehorse and made our journey back to Virginia. That day was the start of Drafted’s second career.

Widget Factory’s first day of retirement. (Katie Tarasevich photo)

Plot twist — the story about finding a horse for the Thoroughbred Makeover doesn’t end there!

When I purchased Up the Power, I stayed in contact with his racing connections at Charles Town. One of their prime racehorses was due to be retired and they wanted to ensure he went to a good home. They recognized and admired the incredible job I did with Up the Power that they trusted me to do the same for Widget Factory. A girl cannot turn down another gray horse! Widget Factory is a 6-year-old gelding who earned more than $110,000 and ran just shy of 50 (49) recorded races. 

My 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover journey now includes two retired racehorses with two completely different experiences at different stages of their training. I cannot wait to begin our adventure as it is going to be double the grays, double the warriors, and double the fun!

The Jockey Club supports many aftercare initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers. View all of the initiatives supported by The Jockey Club.