Episode 3 – Stable Spotlight:  The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center

Our first stable spotlight has a personal appeal to Glenn the Geek.  His wife is a volunteer trainer there and works with the rehabilitated Thoroughbreds.  She has always loved the challenge of a thoroughbred.  And Glenn likes it because she gets her horse fix on someone else’s bill.  Be sure to listen to Director Susanna Thomas on episode 3!

From the The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center website:

Thanks to the generosity of Maker’s Mark, Marylou Whitney, Castleton-Lyons, the Keeneland Foundation and dozens of donors, the Kentucky Horse Park is now home to a new facility to re-train Thoroughbred racehorses for second careers.

Opened in October 2004, the 22-acre Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, which is operated by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, has space for 10-15 retired Thoroughbreds in re-training.

The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center welcomes horses from other equine rescue and adoption organizations and promotes the good work of all participating organizations. This cooperative effort will pave the way for communication, cooperation and education among all Thoroughbred rescue operations.

The Kentucky Horse Park was an obvious choice for the sight of the project. Not only is it one of the most beautiful equine oriented facilities in the nation, but it attracts tens of thousands of horse-lovers each year. The beauty and versatility and of the Thoroughbred will be on display and at work everyday for all those visitors to see first-hand.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to show all horse lovers how well Thoroughbreds adapt to new careers,” said TRF Executive Director Diana Pikulski. “I cannot tell you how moving it is to see these racehorses as they make the transition to pleasure horses and pets. Needless to say, we are also extremely thankful to all the people who helped make this happen.”

The facility is open daily to the public. 
General Office Hours: 9-5 Monday-Friday.
Barn Hours: 9-2 Monday-Saturday or by appointment.

TRF Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center
4089 Iron Works Parkway • Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-246-3080 • Fax: 859-246-3082