Meet one of our Extraordinary Ambassadors
"Red King"
While His racing career has ended, Red King's purpose hasn't!
Now, the King has a new job, he's welcoming "SCRAF's Magnificent Seven", a team of Off-Track Thoroughbreds preparing for the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park.
RED KING AT A GLANCE
Foaled: February 26, 2014
Sire: English Channel
Racing Record: Multiple graded stakes winner • 43 starts • 8 wins • $586,555 earned for his owners (during his racing career - the money doesn't follow the horse)
Highlights: G2 Del Mar Handicap • G3 San Juan Capistrano • Breeders' Cup Turf
2023 Thoroughbred Makeover: 3rd, Freestyle Finale
Current Role: SCRAF Ambassador
Pic: SCRAF Ambassador Red King shares a quiet moment with a senior during an assisted living visit, one of the many ways he continues to touch lives after racing.
When racing ended, King came to SCRAF to discover what came next.
FROM RACETRACK TO... JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE
In 2023, Red King traveled to Kentucky with SCRAF Head Trainer Kiersti Wylie for the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, competing in Dressage and Freestyle and ultimately finishing third in the Freestyle Finale.
But Kentucky wasn't the end of King's second career.
It was only the beginning.
Since then, King has participated in Pony Club, taught students, performed bareback and bridleless, carried mail along the historic Pony Express route, served as a Breeders' Cup "spokeshorse," participated in therapeutic and senior-community visits, and helped introduce thousands of people to Thoroughbred life after racing.
Sometimes he performs.
Sometimes he teaches.
Sometimes his most important job is simply standing quietly beside someone who needs a horse nearby.
That's why Red King is our Ambassador.
He doesn't show us what every Thoroughbred will become.
He shows us why every Thoroughbred deserves the chance to find out.
NOW SEVEN MORE ARE FOLLOWING IN HIS HOOFPRINTS.
In October, SCRAF's Magnificent 7 will travel to Kentucky for the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover, following the same road King traveled three years ago.
We don't know where their second careers will eventually take them.
Neither did we with King.
Red King got his chance. Look what he did with it.
Now help us give seven more Thoroughbreds theirs.
Red King paved the way & now, 7 of his friends are getting the same opportunity!
JOIN KING'S COURT
King's story isn't finished either.
Red King came to SCRAF without dedicated funding for his long-term care. Today, SCRAF continues to provide his feed, hoof care, veterinary and dental care, transportation, and everything else that allows him to continue serving as our Ambassador. At the bare minimum, it costs at least $1,000/month per horse (if no emergencies happen) so if you can help support King's adventures it helps him keep people smiling!
Aftercare doesn't end when the Makeover does.
That's why we're creating King's Court, a community of Red King fans helping support the next chapter of this remarkable horse's life.
If you cheered for King at the racetrack, met him after retirement, learned something from him, or simply believe in what he represents,
there's a place for you in King's Court!