b'racingThoRouGhbREdAFTERCARE ALLIANCEObjective: accredit, inspect, and award grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using indus-try-wide fundingwww.thoroughbredaftercare.org oLd FRIENdsThoRouGhbREdRETIREmENTObjective: provide a retirement facility for notable Thoroughbreds that allows the public to interact with them Anne M. eberhArdt PhotosLocations: Georgetown and Franklin, Kentucky, and Greenfield Center, New Yorkwww.oldfriendsequine.org Retired stallions such as the late champion sprinter Gulch enjoy dignified sunset years. RETIREd RACEhoRsE pRojECT ANd mAkEovERhe attributes Old Friends popularity toHe noted the irony of receiving the John W.Objective: facilitate placement of endless positive reviews on travel websites. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entre- Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in People know they can come and feedpreneurship in the Equine Industry fromsecond careers by increasing de-carrots, Blowen said. It is a leisurely thingthe University of Louisville in January. mand for them in equestrian sports with the horses out in their paddocks. It isWe didnt even have a business plan, heand serving the farms, trainers, and like going on a horse safari. said. We dont just think outside the box;organizations that transition themThe other attendees are racing fans mar- we dont even go anywhere near the box. When and where: Oct. 2-5 at Ken-veling at the superstars they have followedtucky Horse Park in Lexingtonor acclaimed industry insiders visiting theRetired Racehorse Project and Makeoverrunners that helped make them famous. The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP)Makeover eligibility: Must have There have been a lot of celebrity-typewas launched by Steuart Pittman Jr. toraced or have had published visitors, Blowen said. increase demand for Thoroughbreds forworkout on or after July 1, 2017, and Nearby acreage not regularly open tosport and pleasure mounts. The annu- other requirementsvisitors houses additional retirees. Theal Makeover serves as a showcase withwww.retiredracehorseproject.org organization has an ample list of Thor- competition including jumping, barrel oughbreds accepted for retirement butracing, trail riding, polo, dressage, and waiting for an available opening. Oldranching. This years entrants must haveThoRouGhbREdFriends has satellite locations at Ken- raced or have had an official workoutChARITIEs oF AmERICAtucky Downs in Franklin, and in Green- on or after July 1, 2017, but have not field Center, New York, near Saratogabeen retrained prior to Dec. 1, 2018.Objective: provide a better life Springs. Approved professionals and amateurs canfor Thoroughbreds, both during The endless accolades for Old Friendsride their own or others horses. A totaland after their racing careers, by might best be summarized with the fact itof 673 trainers have been accepted tosupporting qualified repurposing was honored with the 2014 Special Eclipseparticipate in this years Thoroughbredand retirement organizations and by Award for extraordinary service. Makeover and National Symposiumhelping the people who careIn the early days Blowens idea seemedsponsored by Thoroughbred Charitiesfor themimprobable, but his optimism and, per- of America. Other racing-related groupswww.tca.orghaps, naivete proved to be a powerful com- and businesses and private donations also bination as he sought funding and support.contribute to funding. 80 10_Aftercare.indd 80 3/20/19 4:45 PM'