08/01/2026
When most people think of the old-school hunters, they think of Thoroughbreds, April Bilodeau writes. While the breed’s reputation in the racing world is incomparable, their presence in other rings across disciplines is more common than one might think.
Thoroughbreds are known to be smart, brave, and enthusiastic about their jobs. While the hunter ring may be a sea of Warmbloods now, TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program has set out to bring the Thoroughbred back.
“The Thoroughbred is growing in popularity,” Andy Belfiore, Executive Director of TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, tells The Plaid Horse. “They can be a little hot blooded and more challenging than the warmbloods, but I also hear they’re the most fun to ride. People think of them as racehorses but they really can do it all.”
TAKE2 is a 501c3 with the mission of finding homes for retired racehorses. The organization acts as a liaison between the racetrack and people searching for a new horse. TAKE2 specifically works with The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which has accredited organizations that they work with to adopt out horses for their post-track careers.
TAKE2 also encompasses the TAKE THE LEAD program, which was created by The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA). The TAKE THE LEAD program is a retirement program for Thoroughbreds that retire from the New York Racing Association (NYRA) racetracks.
In their ten years of working together, TAKE2 and TAKE THE LEAD have helped over 1,000 horses find their new homes.'
đź“Ž Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2023/07/15/a-second-chance-for-thoroughbreds/
📸 Tess Fortune and MVP, Hunter champion at the 2022 TAKE2 Finals at the Kentucky National Horse Show. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
