Stakeholders Donate $35,000 in Prize Money for 2026 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Classics

[Wandering Eyes]

With the encouragement of Sergio de Sousa from Hidden Brook Farm and Carrie Brogden from Machmer Hall, a group of 17 Thoroughbred industry stakeholders have pledged to donate a total of $35,000 in prize money for a series of TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper Classics at the Kentucky Horse Shows and Split Rock Jumping Tour in 2026.

The 20 TAKE2 Classics, offering $1,750 in prize money each, will be held at 10 horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, between May and September.

The TAKE2 Classics sponsors are: Adrienne Camire, Byron Nimrocks, Cary Bloodstock, De Sousa Stables, Eaton Sales, Elite Sales, First Finds Farm, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hidden Brook Farm, Julie Davies LLC, Notch Hill Farm, Okalee Farm, Peppermint Stables, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Valerie Mastromonaco and Woods Edge Farm.

De Sousa, in addition to serving as managing partner at Hidden Brook, has competed in the TAKE2 Jumpers since 2022.

“The TAKE2 League is the perfect next step for adoption and retraining programs for Thoroughbreds around the country,” he said. “It allows horses and riders to compete at high-level venues, giving continuation to their development. Hopefully, some will move up from TAKE2; if not, it is a great level of competition for amateur riders like me.”

Brogden added, “I aspire to see demand for Thoroughbreds return to the robust levels experienced during the breed's peak in the 1970s and 1980s and with this kind of leadership and support, I truly believe it is possible. These sponsored classes are a huge step in the right direction!”

The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program offers prize money and year-end awards for League members competing in Thoroughbred Hunter and Jumper divisions at more than 500 horse shows across the country, including the $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter & Jumper Finals which have been held in Lexington each year since 2019. This season it will be held Sept. 20 at Split Rock Kentucky National, where the final have taken place since 2023.

“It's heartening to see the commitment to the horses by the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry,” TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore said. “Aftercare and the smooth transition to second careers are causes we can all unite behind, and the Classic sponsors are staunch supporters.”

 

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