Not All Thoroughbreds Are Racehorses

Our newest farm member is a promising, well-bred youngster who never set a hoof on a racetrack. Transitioning a Thoroughbred from the track to training for the show world is relatively easy. Why is that? With young Thoroughbreds whose futures are designed to run, earn money and possibly make history, they’ve experienced things by the age of 2, that the average horse might never experience in their lifetime.

When some Thoroughbreds don’t make it to a racing career for some reason or another, in my opinion they fall behind with their training on the farm, traveling on rigs, starting gates, workouts and day and nighttime racing. When I begin working with a youngster with no track mileage, I approach things differently in order to “feel” themselves out and recognize what they’re lacking in experience and exposure.

Frankie O’Prado is what I call a “pasture find”, who had all the paperwork ready for the Jockey Club, but for some reason never made its way to the desk of the organization. He was broke at 3 and turned out in a Kentucky field until early Summer 2022.

I jumped at the chance to restart him simply because he is by Paddy O’Prado. You can’t miss when there’s a Thoroughbred with any Prado blood whether its Paddy O’Prado, El Prado or Fort Prado. Those stallions have a reputation of being well boned, excellent temperament and talent from the racecourse to the show ring.

It’s going to be fun and gratifying producing Frankie. He is so affectionate, and I’ve already fallen for his gentle personality.