The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (MMSC) ended 2016 by celebrating their achievement of placing 62 retired Thoroughbreds in new homes and providing them with second careers, a record for the organization.

The MMSC is a nonprofit retraining facility for adoptable Thoroughbreds located at the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington.

“Thoroughbreds are timeless; they have reigned supreme in equestrian sports,” said MMSC Director Susanna Thomas. “They are smart, athletic, and big-hearted. As people are recognizing the magnificence of this beautiful breed, the demand for Thoroughbreds has skyrocketed. Giving these horses a second chance and helping them transition into a new career is a lot of work, but watching as they are adopted into new families is the most rewarding feeling.”

The Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center utilizes the Horse Centered Reschooling Program, developed by Thomas, which is designed to give an off-track Thoroughbred a foundation that an amateur can build upon. The center also is cautious to match each adopter with a horse that has a consistent temperament and can achieve the adopter’s chosen goals