Horse Country

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Teddy Spaghetti, Thoroughbred Makeover, trainer, rider, competition, aftercare, OTTB, Grae Hammer, retired racehorse, field hunter, mock hunt, show hunter, horse park, ABR

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: A Successful and Rewarding Experience for Teddy’s Team

As I sit down to write this final installment of Teddy Spaghetti’s road to the Thoroughbred Makeover, it is with great pride for how much he and our team accomplished there; huge appreciation for the family that allowed me the opportunity to take both their new 3-year-old OTTB and their 16-year-old daughter along for the ride; and a little bit of nostalgia that it’s over.

Jordan Sigmon, Maverick, Retired Racehorse Project, Thoroughbred Makeover, Kentucky Horse Park, America's Best Racing, horse racing, ABR

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Appreciating the Journey and Progress With Maverick

Coming into the Thoroughbred Makeover I couldn’t have been much more confident in where I was with Maverick. Our final run the week before at Stable View had gone just about perfectly with a fifth-place finish in the Beginner Novice only adding two rails in stadium — one of which was definitely my fault — and a couple speed faults on cross country. Most importantly, down there he was so bold and confident out on cross country and gave me a great feeling coming into the makeover.

Thoroughbred Makeover, Horse Park, Kentucky, Diary, Imposing Ruler, Gray Magician, Lindsay Gilbert, competition, OTTB, ex-racehorse, retired racehorse, aftercare, training, hunter, jumper, ABR

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Pride, Gratitude, and Inspiration Make for a Great Event

Another Thoroughbred Makeover is in the books, and what a week it was. Between the rain, the long days, and the incredible athletes we competed against, it’s safe to say this year’s event was one for the memory books. Bringing both Imposing Ruler – aka “Henry” – and Gray Magician made for a full and rewarding experience, and I couldn’t be prouder of how both horses handled themselves.

Salesman, OTTB, ex-racehorse, retired racehorse, Thoroughbred Makeover, Kristina, trainer, Audra Mandella, Richard Mandella, training, aftercare, competition, owner, Reciprocity Thoroughbreds, ABR

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: A Fulfilling Second Career for Salesman

In this final diary entry for OTTB Salesman, Audra Mandella, Salesman’s owner, reflects on the enjoyment and sense of fulfillment she, her husband Gary, father-in-law Richard (a Hall of Fame trainer) and everyone else associated with the horse have felt as he moves further into his second career with remarkable success under the supervision of Kristina Hobbs.

Silver Charm: As Tenacious as They Come

There are a variety of reasons to explain why a long list of outstanding horses were thwarted in their bid to become the 12th Triple Crown champion.

Some are predictable; others are surprising.

Premature moves, exhausting paces, injuries, medications, and even a safety pin have all played a role in a drought that stood at 37 years until American Pharoah completed the sweep in 2015.

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