Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Change of Fortune had the genetic makings of a promising racehorse. The son of Pioneerof the Nile and out of multiple graded stakes winner Better Lucky–who earned over $1.2 million–Surely Change of Fortune was bound for the winner’s circle too.
As a 2-year-old, the colt began training with Mike Stidham in Delaware, but his lack of interest in racing led the Godolphin team to reevaluate the young Thoroughbred’s future.
“Rather than push him to do something he clearly did not want to do, we elected to retire him and move him into a second career,” said Godolphin Sales Manager, Emma Browne Lovatt. “So, I facilitated his retirement and rehoming.”
Change of Fortune left Delaware and headed to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)-accredited CANTER Kentucky’s Liftoff Equestrian facility. After arriving back in the bluegrass state in October of 2021, it did not take long for the little bay gelding to find his true calling.
Just two short months later, Change of Fortune, now known as ‘Fortune,’ was introduced to Nathan Bradley. A trainer at BC Stables & Training Center in Fair Grove, Missouri, Bradley was searching for a mount for the 2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover.
“I found CANTER Kentucky through my boss, Tim Brock,” Bradley said. “He competed in the RRP Thoroughbred Makeover in 2019 and had acquired his horse with the help of Ashley Watts and CANTER Kentucky– so this year she helped us again.”
Bradley took to Fortune for a variety of reasons, citing the gelding’s size as what initially stood out– at just three-years-old he is already 16 hands. Ultimately, it was Fortune’s personality that sealed the deal for Bradley.
“There are a lot of great things about Fortune,” Bradley said. “His general demeanor and attitude are so great, he’s a quiet horse who loves attention. Not to mention he’s a beautiful mover and just all around a cool horse.”
Fortune’s laid-back personality made him the ideal candidate for Bradley, who plans to showcase the gelding’s new skills in the Western Dressage and Ranch Work divisions at the makeover later this year.
“I want him to be as comfortable as possible in as many different situations as possible,” said Bradley. “So that when we reach October, he’s been prepared the best I can to be put into that scenario.”
Since bringing Fortune home last December, the duo made their competitive debut at a local trail trial, which proved to be a lot of fun for the Thoroughbred.
“His retraining is going amazing,” Bradley said. “He’s a super quick learner and eager horse. He just wants to do everything he can to please and it’s been a lot of fun working with him. I’m looking forward to entering him into more shows over the rest of Spring and Summer.”
Although Fortune won’t be following in the hoof-prints of his bloodlines capturing the hearts of racing fans, he certainly has captured the heart of his adopter.
“He’s such a cool horse and a big teddy bear,” he said. “I go out to catch him and just ride him bareback to and from the pasture, he’s a super sweet gelding.”
IMAGES: Photography by Karin
