We love them for their speed and now admire them just as much for their heart, talent, and versatility. With the #BestWeekendAllYear upon the Kentucky Horse Park this week, let us look at some of the Thoroughbreds who have transformed their racing roots into second careers in the world of eventing. These equine athletes will put their skills to the test in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L and the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S this weekend, beginning on Thursday, April 24, with the first phase of dressage.
Below are the Thoroughbreds competing in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L:
Artist* ridden by Monica Spencer
(Guillotine (NZ) x Maxamore (NZ))
Owned by Spencer Eventing
Equineline OTTB Profile
Artist, bred by Windsor Park Stud, was born in New Zealand in 2011. While he did not race, Monica Spencer (NZL) saw his potential and added him to her string of eventers. The duo debuted their partnership in 2018 and quickly progressed through the CCI3* and CCI4* levels. Most notably, they secured wins at the Archibald & Shorter Auckland CCI4*-L in Puhinui, NZL, in 2020, and the CCI4*-S in Matamata, NZL, in 2021. The duo were members of the New Zealand Team at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships hosted in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. Spencer and Artist stepped up to the 5* level in 2023 and successfully completed both the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L and Burghley Horse Trials CCI5*-L in 2024. The duo will be back in Kentucky for their second appearance in the CCI5*-L.
HSH Double Sixteen ridden by Caroline Pamukcu
(Robin des Pres x Azaria)
Owned by Double Sixteen Partnership
Equineline OTTB Profile
HSH Double Sixteen, a 2015 Irish-bred gelding owned by the Double Sixteen Partnership, may not have launched his athletic career in the U.S. -- or even in eventing -- but he has certainly found his calling. He began his journey on the dirt tracks of Ireland, making his debut at Killarney Racecourse in July of 2019. However, it quickly became clear that the racetrack was not his forever home, and he would excel in a sporting career. After just a few starts, he retired from racing in 2019 and started his transition to a new sport.
He began eventing in Ireland with Leila Barker, before crossing the Atlantic to partner with U.S. talent Caroline Pamukcu in 2023. Since their partnership began, the duo has racked up consistent results at the CCI3* and CCI4* levels, been earning podium finishes at the Carolina International CCI3*-S in both 2023 and 2024, as well as at the 2023 Bromont International CCI3*-S, while capturing wins at the 2024 Ocala International CCI4*-S and 2025 Bouckaert March International CCI4*-S. This year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event will mark not only a major milestone in their partnership, but also HSH Double Sixteen’s highly anticipated CCI5* debut.
Sorocaima ridden by Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr.
(Rock Hard Ten x Sankobasi)
Owned by Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. and Carl Segal
Equineline OTTB Profile
Thoroughbreds are known to exemplify heart and tenacity, which is why Sorocaima, affectionately known as “Cam.” has been a mainstay in Buck Davidson Jr.’s string over the past five years. The Kentucky-bred thoroughbred had a steady racing career before transitioning to eventing, making 43 starts with a 4-8-2 record and over $82,000 in earnings. In 2020, he made the transition to eventing, joining Davidson’s string.
Since then, “Cam” has proven he is a serious eventing athlete at the CCI4* and CCI5* levels. In 2024, the duo finished fourth at the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI5* and sixth at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*. His consistent performances, bravery on cross country, and consistent partnership with Davidson make him a fan favorite. 2025 will be Sorocaima and Davidson’s fourth consecutive appearance at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Below are the Thoroughbreds competing this week in the Consequin Lexington CCI4*-S:
Argyle (Office Hours) ridden by Skyeler Voss
(Private Gold x Aunt Tizzy)
Owned by Argyle Syndicate LLC
Equineline OTTB Profile
2008 Gelding (Wash.)
21 race starts
Placed 12 times
Won $35,301
2nd time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Beautiful Storm ridden by Jan Byyny
(Get Stormy x So Beautiful)
Owned by Jan Byyny, Jo Byyny, and Richard Byyny
Equineline OTTB Profile
2015 Gelding (Ky.)
10 race starts
Placed twice
Won $5,229
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Dunedin Black Watch* ridden by Hayley Frielick
(Dylan Thoman (IRE) x Love First (AUS))
Owned by Hayley Frielick and Katie Robertson
Equineline OTTB Profile
2019 Gelding (AUS)
7 race starts
Placed once
Won $938
2nd time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Little Hail ridden by Ali Kuhn
(Malibu Moon x The Legend Grows)
Owned by John Crowell III
Equineline OTTB Profile
2009 Gelding (Ky.)
4 race starts
Did not place
Won $1,687
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Malibu Preacher ridden by Alexander Conrad
(Malibu Moon x Preach It)
Owned by Alexander Conrad
Equineline OTTB Profile
2012 Gelding (Ky.)
15 race starts
Placed 4 times
Won $55,588
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Menlo Park ridden by Tracey Bienemann
(Bodemeister x Affectionately (GB))
Owned by Carol McRoy
Equineline OTTB Profile
2016 Gelding (Ky.)
9 race starts
Placed 4 times
Won $17,662
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Sea of Clouds ridden by Olivia Dutton
(Malibu Moon x Winner’s Ticket)
Owned by Sea of Clouds Partnership
Equineline OTTB Profile
2011 Gelding (Ky.)
2 race starts
Did not place
Won $200
2nd time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Venezuelan River ridden by Tracey Bienemann
(Mucho Macho Man x Shehaseyesforyou)
Owned by Tracey Bienemann
Equineline OTTB Profile
2016 Gelding (Fla.)
3 race starts
Did not place
Won $795
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Vincent Chase ridden by Heather Gillette
(Value Plus x Her Entourage)
Owned by Heather Gillette
Equineline OTTB Profile
2012 Gelding (Fla.)
24 race starts
Placed 11 times
Won $54,994
4th time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
Wizard (Chestnut Prize) ridden by Sarah Cousins
(Prized x Mary Ann)
Owned by OTTB Syndicate
Equineline OTTB Profile
2008 Gelding (W.V.)
10 race starts
Did not place
Won $1,480
1st time competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S
*International combination
Don’t miss the action! Watch the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L and Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S livestream on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.