TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/998879
"Isabela is not only an extremely talented rider, but an in- credible ambassador for off-the-track Thoroughbreds, so when we heard she was taking on Cozmic One as her 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover project, we couldn't have been more thrilled," RRP Executive Director Jen Roytz said. "With Isabela, Cozmic One will get a solid foundation of training that will serve him well throughout his show career. There are thousands of Zenyatta fans who were so eager to watch her first-born compete on the track and now Isabela is bring- ing them along for his journey from the racetrack to the show ring." In order to be eligible for the 2018 Makeover, the horse must have a published workout or race after June 30, 2016 and cannot have started the retraining process before Dec. 1, 2017, which means the Thoroughbreds come into the compe- tition with 10 months of training or less in their new careers. Making his final start Oct. 20, 2017, Cozmic One had his last workout in November and shipped to the de Sousas' farm in Kentucky two weeks later. "Of course you feel the pressure of having your horse ready in 10 months, but I think of the Makeover as a halfway point, not an end point," de Sousa said. "You get to see how far your horse has come and how much further he can go. There are 10 different disciplines there and everyone wants to see the horses do well." De Sousa's father Sergio, who is the managing partner of Hidden Brook Farm, scouts out his daughter's RRP projects, with Isabela's input, of course. He also offers her advice along the way and is her "ground man," setting up the jumps, shipping her to shows, etc. "My dad really understands Thoroughbreds and he has taught me how to speak Thoroughbred," said Isabela de Sou- sa, while petting Cozmic One as he hung his head out of his stall and over his young rider's shoulder, nuzzling her for at- tention. "He has so many connections in the Thoroughbred