The Secretariat Center is known for having of some of the best off the track racehorses available for adoption. Upon graduation from training program, Center horses have gone on to on to be top eventing, jumping, and dressage horses, as well as trustworthy horses on trails, in parades, in lessons, and in the hunt field.

We pride ourselves on four things: quality, excellence, transparency and honesty.

Horses that come to the Center are screened and selected on the quality of their conformation, temperament, soundness, and age. They receive a thorough evaluation from a team of specialists before being matriculated into our training program. The Center documents its findings and impressions along with all records both during the horse’s stay at the Center. Any records we can obtain from its racing days are also included in a “record book” for prospective adopters to review. The record book goes with the horse when adopted.

To begin the adoption process, visit our Adopt page to find the Adoption Application, which you may send to us via online submission, email, mail or fax. We require three references (veterinarian, equine specialist and personal) as well as some pictures of where the horse(s) will be kept. Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed by our approval committee. You will be notified of their decision in three to five business days.

Upon approval, we will work with you to find a horse that best suits your needs and wishes. We will direct you to pictures and videos as well as discuss each horse’s personality and merits with you. Then you will be asked to schedule an appointment to come try your horse/s to see if the fit is a good one.

No. The horses are adopted out first come first serve to the approved adopter who proves to be a good fit. If you are interested in a horse, be prepared to move quickly, as we do not hold horses. It is our responsibility to help as many OTTBs as possible to find new homes. As soon a horse moves out of our program, we have a new one waiting to move in. So if you do miss out on the horse you thought you wanted, rest assured there will always be more horses to choose from.

The Center places a high priority on the match between adopter and horse. We want to ensure that not only does the adopter get along with their horse of choice, but that the horse also is happy with the adopter. This is not easily assessed until you have ridden the horse/s. We also frequently find that the horse a potential adopter has come to ride and adopt is not the horse that person ends up adopting. There is simply no substitute for sitting on the horses and feeling the connection between horse and rider.

Adoption fees are determined based on the condition and potential of the horse The adoption fee, which is non-refundable, may run from a low of $2000 to $7000 or higher. You will be asked to sign a contract and to pay in full for us to consider the horse adopted. From that moment on, you have one week of free board before you must transport your horse to its new home.

Our horses are screened before getting into our program for saneness, soundness, and suitability. Then they are reviewed by a team of experts when they get to the Center. Our program continues with individualized care and training, so you are getting a horse with a solid foundation for a new career. The adoption fees pay for the expenses that the horses incur whilst in our care and thus help our program run at the level of excellence that it does.

You can sell your horse as long you notify the Center of your intention to sell. The new owner must complete a Track for Life Agreement with the Center and agree to the same provisions for care and tracking for life as the original adopter did including notifying the Center of any future sale.

You can breed your mare with the express written permission of the Center and the mare's original owner, and the offspring will never be allowed to race.

YES! Please contact the Center before making arrangements so we can be there and have the horse up when the vet arrives. We are sponsored by Hagyard Equine Hospital, but you are welcome to use a veterinarian from any practice that you wish. You, the potential adopter, are responsible for this expense.

We accept check, wire transfer, credit card, or cash. Payment must be made before picking up the horse.

Yes, when you adopt from the Center, you get a record book which includes copies of the horse’s race record, papers, training charts, and vet records.

Yes. Brook Ledge Horse Transportation is our sponsored transporter and we have a list of additional commercial transporters, click here.