It has been 12 weeks since I first met Imposing Ruler. I purchased him sight unseen from Florida because of the potential I saw in his videos and due to conversations I had with his owner and racetrack connections.

It was clear his trainer adored him. She was able to answer all of my questions and knew him and his personality like the back of her hand. There’s a level of trust that comes with purchasing a horse from a stranger, but I felt at ease when his owner called to talk about what I was looking for and to ensure my goals were fair for the horse before we moved forward with the purchase. Imposing Ruler’s connections truly cared.

As eager as I was to start the retraining process with “Henry” and fulfill the goals I had set for our partnership, I also felt an obligation to this little horse and everyone who had been a part of his journey thus far. It was clear he had been well-handled, despite his young age and low miles. He has taken everything in stride — from first turnout and learning how to crosstie to lunging and ground driving. There is usually a level of greenness one can expect to encounter when working with a young horse with a light record. Henry just didn’t seem to get that memo. Everything I have asked of him, he has answered with a whole-hearted, “OK, mom, if you say so!” 

I can take no responsibility for what a wonderful guy he is, I can only attribute Henry’s perfection to his breeding and the quality of care and training he has received to this point. So many people have done right by this horse, and now it’s my turn to continue the trend. It’s one of the greatest, and most intimidating, roles to be in as a trainer … to be trusted with a horse someone else cares so much about.

That is exactly why I couldn’t say no when I got the call about Gray Magician.

Gray Magician (Courtesy of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program)

Gray Magician is the complete opposite of Imposing Ruler. The 2016 gelding by Graydar is a “war horse” in every sense of the word and has the most impressive race record of any horse that has ever stepped on my farm. “Gray” raced 48 times, earning more than $960,000 on the track. His lengthy record includes a start in the United Arab Emirates Derby in Dubai, he ran in the Kentucky Derby, and he won the Ellis Park Derby, just to name a few. Needless to say, this guy is cool.

And while the two horses had completely different careers and took very different paths to my program, one thing both Henry and Gray have in common is incredible connections that only want what’s best for the horse. Gray was claimed back by his previous owners in 2024, as they felt he had earned his retirement after a wonderful career. He has proved time and time again what an incredible athlete he is. While he has nothing left to prove, his owners felt the Thoroughbred Makeover would be a great next step for him and ensure a solid start to his second career … whatever that may be. I am just honored to be a small part of it.

So many incredible people had a hand in ensuring Gray Magician was thoroughly cared for both on and off the track. After retirement, he let down with New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and then transitioned to sport-horse life with fellow makeover trainer, Isabela de Sousa. I then got a call from Anna Ford, executive director of New Vocations, asking if I would be willing to take on an additional Retired Racehorse Project makeover hopeful, and I knew that if any horse deserved to go, it would be him.

So, 2025 is the year I attempt to take two horses to the Thoroughbred Makeover. Two very different, very loved horses that I hope I can do right by, as everyone else in their life already has.

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.