TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/998879
While typically the de Sousas pick out their Makeover hors- es based on things like a good brain and nice conformation, Cozmic One was chosen for a different reason. Sergio de Sousa had never seen the horse in person when he initially inquired about him, but he knew he would bring a lot of at- tention to the Makeover due to his mother's immense popu- larity and hoped he would become an ambassador for Thor- oughbreds both on and off the track. "There is so much negativity surrounding racing. I think it would be great if we could make a positive connection be- tween high-profile horses like him in the Makeover and rac- ing," Sergio de Sousa said. "This is our fourth time doing the Makeover and it is a great opportunity to really promote the breed. It would be great if the tracks where these horses per- form would give updates on horses like Cozmic One." Sergio de Sousa was proven right about the now-gelding's ability to create new awareness pretty quickly. Isabela's so- cial media blew up when she posted the announcement that Cozmic One would be her 2018 Makeover horse and it was not long before the Chronicle of the Horse approached her with an offer to blog about her experiences with the horse as they train up to the competition. The de Sousas and the Mosses have also partnered with an equestrian company and a photographer to sell special shirts and limited edition prints with a portion of the proceeds going to the Retired … d e S o u s a k n e w h e w o u l d b r i n g a l o t o f a t t e n t i o n t o t h e M a ke ove r d u e t o his mother's immense popularity …