DJ's First Step

2027 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - DJ has excellent ground manners and can be led around the farm with ease using a cotton lead rope. He is patient and is agreeable to stand and wait in the aisle, take his halter off for turnout and easy to catch.  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - DJ will stand in the crossties and accepts brushing and tack with ease. From time to time he can be a little wiggly, but is curious what is going on. He likes his handler to be there with him while he is in the crossties.
• Horse Care - Level 2 - DJ is currently in front shoes. He may require more specialized hoof care to be able to do more under tack, such as wedges or additional corrective shoeing.  
• Riding - Level 1 - DJ will stand at the mounting block and can wait for his rider to give cues. He is happy to walk around and check things out. From time to time he may get a little excited, but is easily corrected and brought back down.  
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - With a laid back and easy going personality DJ is pleasant to have around the farm. He is quiet in his stall and does not cause any issues in turnout.  
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - Due to the nature of his injuries he is currently projected to be a walk only/ trail horse under tack. He is sound in the pasture but is walk only sound under tack.  

RRP THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER SPECIAL: Adopt your 2027 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover prospect from New Vocations, compete in the Makeover, and you'll be reimbursed the $350 trainer application fee! This horse is also eligible to receive a $405+ scholarship for the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover through the 2027 ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship program. Learn more HERE.

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Interested in this horse? Approved adopters can reach out to this horse's trainer via the "Email Us About This Horse" button above for further information. Not yet approved? Learn about the process and start your questionnaire at newvocations.org/adopt! Approved applications are valid for two years.

ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES

New Vocations intentionally sets our horses’ adoption fees lower than the average cost of buying a Thoroughbred or Standardbred from a private seller. In today’s market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at $5,000 to $10,000!

Our fees range from $0 (waived) to $3,500. Fees typically correspond with a horse’s anticipated physical capabilities. So, horses that are best suited for non-riding careers (our Pasture Potatoes) have waived fees, while the fees for horses assessed to be suitable for high-impact careers will be up to $3,500.

While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse can be high. New Vocations hope that by helping adopters save money upfront, you’ll have more funds available to cover the costs of properly caring for and training a retired racehorse.

When you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re helping two horses; your new family member and the one who takes their place in our program. Our facilities are nearly always at max capacity, which means we can’t take in a new horse until one is adopted. Keeping our adoption fees low helps us find appropriate homes for horses quickly, enabling us to help even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns!

Another perk of adopting from us: We do all we can to give you the most value for your adoption fee. Most adoptable horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days, during which they've rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, been evaluated by trainers and veterinarians, and have been in regular training with a professional. On average, the monetary value of these services exceeds $5,000. Any medical records (often including X-rays and ultrasounds) and pertinent history we have on each horse are also available to interested and approved adopters.