Retired Racehorses to Compete in Saratoga Horse Shows

Since 1863, Thoroughbreds have been the stars of the summer in upstate New York, and this year will be no exception; the Saratoga meet officially kicks off July 3. But the racehorses will not have the stage to themselves this year. Across town at White Hollow Farm, the spotlight will be on retired racehorses competing in the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions at the Saratoga Horse Shows. The highlight of the season will be the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classics.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, and New York Racing Association (NYRA) have partnered with the TAKE2 Program to donate $20,000 in prize money for two Thoroughbred Classics. The first $10,000 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic will be held on the morning of Friday, July 10, at the Saratoga Women in Business Spectacular, and the second on the morning of Friday, August 14, at the Saratoga Summer Horse Show. In addition to the prize money, the winners of the two Classics each will have one-day use of the NYTHA Box Seats at Saratoga during the 2026 meet (Saturdays excluded, as available). White Hollow Farm is located in Stillwater, NY, a 14-minute drive from Saratoga Race Course.

"Just as the prestigious Saratoga race meet attracts the best horses in the country, we are hoping to bring the best Thoroughbred hunters to New York for these Classic events," said TAKE2 Board member and Saratoga Horse Shows Executive Director Adele Einhorn. "In the hunter/jumper world, $10,000 is serious prize money. Last year, our Thoroughbred Classics offered only $500 in prize money, so this is a substantial jump. We are grateful for this opportunity and so thankful to the Fund, NYRA, and NYTHA for their support and their dedication to retired racehorses."

NYRA, NYTHA, and the Fund/nybreds.com have long been staunch supporters of aftercare. Collectively, New York's racing and breeding stakeholders contribute about $1.8 million a year to ensure that Thoroughbreds have happy and healthy lives beyond the racetrack and to support second-career programs.

"The NYS Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund is proud to promote ex-racehorses in their second or third careers in the show ring. We believe Thoroughbreds deserve respect at every stage of life. I predict you will have new respect for our horses when you see them glide around the hunt ring or sail over obstacles in a jumper class," said Tracy Egan, Executive Director of The Fund/nybreds.com.

"Where better to highlight the success of retired racehorses in the show ring than Saratoga?" said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. "So many of these horses not only raced here, but were bred and raised here, and it is wonderful to see them enjoying a new chapter in their lives in the heart of our state's Thoroughbred country. It is our honor and our duty to do all we can for our horses before, during, and after their racing careers."

Added Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP for Racing and Operations, "Thanks to programs like TAKE2, and the collaborative efforts of racing stakeholders, New York State leads the way when it comes to Thoroughbred aftercare. NYRA is pleased to support this important initiative."

TAKE2 was launched by the late Rick Violette, then president of NYTHA, in 2012 to create more second-career opportunities for retired racehorses. The program, which has distributed more than $1 million in prize money and awards, was affiliated with just eight horses shows in three states in its first year. There are now more than 500 horse shows across the country offering TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper classes.

"Rick would be incredibly gratified to see members of the New York's Thoroughbred community coming together to support this program," said NYTHA and TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore. "We don't always see eye to eye, but on Thoroughbred aftercare, we are in lockstep."

Click here for more information about TAKE2.