Secretariat Center

Our mission is to advocate for the athleticism and versatility of off-track Thoroughbreds and prepare them for successful post-track careers through retraining and ensuring a harmonious match with their adopters.  

Our vision ensures a second career for Thoroughbreds by combining a passion for horses, with the belief that all equines deserve care and a purpose beyond the racetrack.

We promote quality over quantity in our adoption process, and we pride ourselves in our ability to match horses with suitable approved adopters. In the past 2 years we've had nearly 50 successful adoptions, with zero horses returned to the program.  Through our 20+ year history, The Secretariat Center (SC) has found new homes for over 800 horses.  We have been entrusted with the care of Thoroughbreds from around the country and they have been donated from across the industry, from small farm homebreds to world-wide operations, like Godolphin.  

Through the belief that it is the responsibility of the Thoroughbred industry to ensure the safety and welfare of registered Thoroughbreds after their days at the track are done, the Secretariat Center proudly maintains our accreditation with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. By partnering in this industry-united initiative, the Secretariat Center and other accredited organizations are held to the highest standards of conduct in their care, retraining, and rehoming efforts.

Secretariat Center success stories:

"Being from KY and raised in a Thoroughbred racing family, I am a self-professed Thoroughbred snob! Nothing reaches so profoundly into my soul as the gleam in that exceptional Thoroughbred's eye. The SC provides unique access to some of the best athletes in the Equine industry, and does an amazing job both in preparing horses for their second careers and in matchmaking. This makes the task of finding just the right horse much easier. I am truly pleased with the two horses I adopted and look forward to future partnerships!" --Dorothy Trapp Crowell, 2-time Olympian

"I'm so glad to have discovered the Center and the dedicated staff there. They encourage continuous training and education so the adoption will be successful. They know their horses, and really are the benchmark for all retraining organizations."-- Maggie and Laurel Hall-Gates about Expected Colors and Olympia Fields

"Adopting from SC was the best. The staff has a great eye for horses so you start by having quality Thoroughbreds to choose from- ones that have the potential to succeed in a new career. Plus, the care and attention to detail that these horses receive upon their arrival and in their retraining guarantees that they will have that chance to succeed. Starting with getting the horse comfortable physically and mentally and then moving to work under tack, the Center provides documentation and detailed records of each horse's time and training so that an adopter has a history of the horse. The Thoroughbred industry should be proud of the work the SC does as it is a real tribute to this magnificent breed. I am pleased and proud to be involved with the SC." -- Margaret Nash, adopter