By admin 
Preliminary competition has concluded at the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.
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The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest retraining competition in North America for recently retired racehorses and former broodmares, showcasing the athleticism and trainability of the Thoroughbred and inspiring more equestrians to partner with the breed.
More than 250 horses competed over two days in up to two of 10 sport disciplines: Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Freestyle, Polo, Ranch Work, Show Hunter, and Show Jumper. Preliminary competition concluded Thursday, determining the top ten horses in each discipline that will advance to Saturday’s Championships.
The top ten horses in each discipline will return to compete in Saturday’s Championships on blank-slate scores for $135,000 in total prize money. Top-placed Former Broodmares and Graduates will also be highlighted during mounted awards at the conclusion of each discipline championship. Additional awards for top-placed amateurs, juniors, teams, and special award winners will be presented during the Championship Awards Party on Saturday night, presented with support from McIntosh Group and Wasabi Aftercare Fund.
View full preliminary results here.
Meet the 2026 Preliminary Competition Winners
The following horses earned top honors in their respective disciplines during preliminary competition.
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Barrel Racing: White Dove
- Trained by Gunnar Harbison
- Violence – Tizway That Way, by Tizway
- 13-2-0-2, $25,477
- 2021 gray/roan mare bred in Kentucky by H&E Ranch
- Owned by Cazares Racing Stable LLC
- Trained by Joseph D. Davis
- Last breezed June 5, 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
- Barrel Racing Top Graduate: Camp Gray, trained by Kara Lee
Competitive Trail: Our Girl Flint
- Trained by Maximiliano Castro
- Flintshire – Sugarandice, by Dixie Union
- 16-0-1-1, $22,097
- 2021 bay mare bred in Kentucky by Randy Bloch & John Seiler
- Owned by BSF Equine Athlete LLC
- Trained by Juan Padilla
- Last raced Oct. 9, 2025 at Remington Park
- Competitive Trail Top Broodmare: Becca’s Diamond, trained by Jennifer Vickers Kelly
Dressage: Midnight Twister
- Trained by Kristina Aaron
- Bradester – Volant, by Birdstone
- 3-0-0-1, $2,278
- 2022 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Texas by Gary West
- Owned by Matthew Herod
- Trained by Danny Pish
- Last raced Dec. 18, 2025 at Remington Park
Eventing: Midnight Trouble
- Trained by Aubrey Graham
- Midnight Lute – Zarleeza, by Harlan’s Holiday
- 27-4-3-3, $235,705
- 2020 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by TC Stable LLC
- Owned by Sunny Meadow Farm
- Trained by Mitchell E. Friedman
- Last breezed Feb. 20, 2026 at Belmont Park
- Eventing Top Graduate: Five Berg, trained by Sierra Thomas
Field Hunter: Set Point
- Trained by Shelly Talk
- Sea The Stars – Hot Sauce, by Peintre Celebre
- 28-4-2-1, $73,690
- 2018 bay gelding bred in Ireland by Highfort Stud & Mrs. Olivia Hoare
- Owned by Del Rio Racing LLC
- Trained by Richard J. Hendriks
- Last raced March 22, 2025 in Aiken, South Carolina
Freestyle: River in Egypt
- Trained by Lauren Slavin
- Cairo Prince – Glide On By, by Pure Prize
- 8-2-1-0, $62,018
- 2020 dark bay/brown gelding bred in Kentucky by Estate of Harvey A. Clarke, Paul Braverman, Sebastian Murat & Steven
- Owned by Newtown Farm
- Trained by Daisy K. Olivo
- Last breezed Jan. 11, 2026 at Fair Grounds
- Freestyle Top Broodmare: Becca’s Diamond, trained by Jennifer Vickers Kelly
- Freestyle Top Graduate: Wally K, trained by Monique Cameron-Hamby
Polo: Fantastic Forest
- Trained by Buck Schott
- Rainbow Heir – Forest Funds, by Forestry
- 5-0-0-0, $775
- 2023 dark bay/brown filly bred in Maryland by New Farm
- Owned by Cecil E. Clugston
- Trained by Spencer Myers
- Last raced April 15, 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Ranch Work: Our Girl Flint
- Trained by Maximiliano Castro
- Flintshire – Sugarandice, by Dixie Union
- 16-0-1-1, $22,097
- 2021 bay mare bred in Kentucky by Randy Bloch & John Seiler
- Owned by BSF Equine Athlete LLC
- Trained by Juan Padilla
- Last raced October 9, 2025 at Remington Park
Show Hunter: My Sobriety
- Trained by Lauren Silverstein
- Volatile – Boom Boom Boom, by More Than Ready
- Unraced
- 2022 gray/roan colt bred in Kentucky by Jay Goodwin, Meredith Krupp, & Borrowdale LLC
- Show Hunter Top Broodmare: Silver Kitty, trained by Kristen Muselman
- Show Hunter Top Graduate: Go Code, trained by Bella Canzano
Show Jumper: South Bend
- Trained by Emily Castrenze
- Algorithms – Sandra’s Rose, by Old Trieste
- 36-5-5-7, $753,868
- 2017 bay gelding bred in Kentucky by Highclere, Inc.
- Owned by Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable LLC, Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch
- Trained by Mark Casse
- Last breezed February 22, 2025 at Ocala Training Center
- Show Jumper Top Broodmare: Silver Kitty, trained by Kristen Muselman
- Show Jumper Top Graduate: Shelbenie, trained by Kristina Aaron
Looking Ahead to Championship
Following two days of preliminary competition, attention now turns to Saturday’s Championship rounds, when the top 10 horses in each discipline will compete for final placings and prize money.
Friday offers a break from competition, with educational opportunities and special events taking place throughout the Kentucky Horse Park, including the RRP Charity Polo Match at the Man o’ War Polo Fields.
Saturday’s Championships will determine the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover champions across all 10 disciplines, culminating in the Championship Awards Party that evening.
Follow the Retired Racehorse Project on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for continued coverage, Championship results, and highlights from the remainder of Makeover Week.
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This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 7:27 AM.