The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is forging new ground at the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Centre (MMSC) at the Kentucky Horse Park, home of the 2010 World Equestrian Games, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Canadian horseman and author Chris Irwin along with his wife and business partner, Kathryn Kincannon-Irwin, Horses All columnist and recognized coach, will oversee the MMSC. The Irwins will be enhancing the MMSC as a centre for teaching and promoting advanced horsemanship skills for retraining retired racehorses.
With the numbers of retired Thoroughbred racehorses continuing to rise, the TRF has committed to finding better ways to retrain them and expanded partnerships to enhance the chances of placement for these veteran racehorses.
Kathryn will be based at the centre in a full-time capacity to oversee development and marketing of the MMSC mission.
Chris will host an ongoing series of educational events in Lexington and at various TRF adoption sites throughout the country when not coaching or presenting at clinics and special events.
One of the many ongoing activities at the MMSC facility will include daily retraining of the Thoroughbreds by staff and volunteers being coached by Kathryn. Daily retraining sessions will be open to the public at no charge and will be focused not only on the well-being of the horses but also towards creating public awareness and educational opportunities regarding the very special needs of veteran race horses.
“For years, Chris has worked with TRF horses in clinics and during demonstrations at Keeneland Race Course and various other venues around the country,” said TRF President Johnathan Miller.
“We are thrilled to expand this relationship so that Chris and Kathryn can make the MMSC a national headquarters for training adoptable horses and educating owners and handlers on the most effective methods of handling retired Thoroughbreds.”
Keeneland Race Course was instrumental in the creation of the MMSC as they introduced long-time race sponsor Maker’s Mark to the concept of an adoption site for retired Thoroughbreds.
Maker’s Mark, in turn, gave the lead gift of $500,000 to make the project possible through the sale of a series of limited edition bottles featuring Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed.
