Since our first horse retired in 2011, AJ Suited and Ninety North Racing Stable have been committed to the ongoing welfare of our Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). In 2012, Nicholson and Sharp purchased a farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, an area rich in the tradition of equine sport, not only flat racing, but steeplechase, show jumping, fox hunting, eventing, dressage, etc. In the fall of that year, Kathryn and Justin met Priscilla Godsoe of the Covert Farm at the the annual Pennsylvania Hunt Cup dinner and started a friendship and partnership that has given us a trusted outlet for retraining and rehoming our racehorses once their racing careers have ended.

 

Our Aftercare Plan

RETIREMENT

Our primary goal, which we believe ensures the futures of all our horses no matter where they land, is to retire our horses as sound as possible. This doesn't always mean they are ready to go directly into secondary careers, however. Typically our horses go through a few months of paddock turnout before beginning the retraining process. This allows them to relax both mentally and physically before taking on the task of learning a new discipline.

RETRAINING

We are very fortunate to have an experienced horsewoman like Priscilla as trainer and caretaker of our retirees. By listening to the needs and personality of each horse, she and her team have created training programs catered to the individual, whether it means longer turn out, more one-on-one attention, or adjusted work loads. Her extensive network of horse professionals and riders allows her to match our horses with responsible buyers, adopters, or lessees. This also allows us to follow the careers of our former horses in their new homes.

Horses with Priscilla are schooled in multiple disciplines to determine what suits them best, including but not limited to:

  • Show Jumping
  • Fox Hunting
  • Trail Riding

While most of our retirees go through Priscilla's program, occasionally we will direct our horses to other outlets if there is interest from a third party or the situation calls for it. Some examples include:

  • New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
  • Transitioning into a new role as a track pony
  • Adopting out to former grooms or racetrack caretakers
  • Steeplechase trainer for those horses that are still fit for racing but need a change of pace from the track

In all cases, we send horses only to people and institutions we trust and follow their progress in their second careers.

 

Support

Our passions for OTTBs and Thoroughbred aftercare go beyond our own horses. Our stables have supported and participated in numerous thoroughbred charities and events including:

 

 

Our Horses

POWER ALERT

Katie_PowerAlert.jpg

Power Alert – Power Alert was a multiple stakes winner for the AJ Suited colors, and retired in 2017 with a career-ending injury. After his recovery, he will become a family horse at the Nicholson-Sharp farm in Chadds Ford, PA!

Prospect: Not for Sale or Lease

TUNA

tuna

Tuna – Bred in 2013 for JPR stable, Tuna (above right) was born with a terrible case of scoliosis that would prevent her ever taking a saddle and rider. Otherwise healthy, Tuna came to live at the Covert as a pasture friend to Judge Beautiful (above left), a talented thoroughbred mare on the farm.

WABBAJACK

wabba

"Wabba" – A fan favorite from the Ninety North Racing Stable, Wabbajack retired in mid 2015 due to foot issues that prohibited him from performing at higher levels of racing. After more than 7 months of R&R at the Covert Farm, Wabba has returned to the NYRA circuit, but this time as a stable pony in the Toner barn!

Prospect: Not for Sale or Lease

Sheldon

sheldon

Sheldon – Another Ninety North and family favorite, Sheldon has arrived at the Covert in Fall 2015. Currently he's enjoying some down time with other retirees and is considered a prospect for the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover.

Prospect: Not for Sale or Lease