Beyond the Finish Line

Equine Business Certificate Graduate Lauren Bloss Uses Internship to Help Retired Racehorses Find Purpose

Every May, Churchill Downs draws global attention as the Kentucky Derby signals the arrival of the sport’s most celebrated season. While the event is known for its pageantry, marked by designer hats, mint juleps and celebrity attendees, at the heart of the Derby are 20 Thoroughbreds vying for the coveted garland of roses.

However, for all the attention paid to the Derby’s tradition and spectacle, far less is said about what happens to those horses once the racing ends – horses whose careers are short and futures uncertain.

That reality is what drew May 2026 Equine Business certificate graduate Lauren Bloss deeper into this area of the equine industry. Working alongside former champion jockey Rosie Napravnik, Bloss is helping retired racehorses transition into new roles beyond the track. She took some time to share why she decided to pursue a certificate in equine business, how her work with Napravnik is making a difference in the lives of the horses she trains and what else she hopes to accomplish in the world of equine business. 

College of Business: What drew you to the Equine Business certificate program at the University of Louisville? 

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Lauren Bloss: After graduating from Texas Tech University with a BS in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Production in May of 2024, I took a gap year to decide whether to attend grad school or start working. After serving as the Texas Tech Masked Rider, the official horse-and-rider mascot for Texas Tech, where I attended multiple promotional and athletic events on behalf of the university, I realized there was more to being successful in the equine industry than just knowing about horses. I decided that going the business education route would be beneficial for my future. After some research, I found the Equine Industry Program at UofL and applied. I knew I would enjoy Louisville because of its iconic horse racing history, which I had a passion for growing up, so I decided to make the move.

College of Business: How did the opportunity to work with former champion jockey Rosie Napravnik come about?

Lauren Bloss: [During] my second semester, I decided I was ready to get hands-on and find opportunities in the area, so I reached out to the Department Chair of the Equine Industry Program, Dr. Amy Lawyer. I told her I have a passion for retired racehorse aftercare and asked if she had any recommendations to get me started in that field. She immediately thought of Rosie and sent me her email. I reached out, and Rosie was willing to bring me on as an intern for her operation. 

 College of Business: What has it been like working with Rosie, and what has she taught you about retraining retired racehorses for second careers?

Lauren Bloss: Working with Rosie has been so educational and full of adventures. My first day, we started working with two off-track thoroughbreds. One was a nine-year-old who had recently retired and was recovering an injury, and the other was a coming three-year-old fresh off the track. Both horses were completely different, so Rosie was able to teach me multiple techniques and tailor our training methods to the opposite-tempered horses. Every horse is different, and sometimes you have to get creative when teaching them new things. Overall, Rosie is teaching me how to be patient and is helping me build my confidence when working with the horses.

College of Business: What have you learned about retired racehorses that might surprise people outside the industry?

Lauren Bloss: Thoroughbreds are extremely smart and athletic, which means they are capable of excelling in any direction. They need someone to show them the ropes and help them build their confidence outside of the racetrack. I’ve learned it is crucial to show them new things and be patient with them throughout their journey. We have taken them on many trail rides where they learned to cross ditches, ride through creeks and traverse tough terrain. [These rides] build their confidence and help us learn their personalities, which will help them in their training down the road.

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College of Business: Why is retraining retired racehorses such an important topic in the equine world right now?

Lauren Bloss: Racehorses typically race only for the first few years of their lives, so by the time their racing careers end, they still have many years left. This creates a population of horses in need of new homes. Unfortunately, Thoroughbreds are often unwanted because they have been stereotyped as “too much horse,” so many aim for other breeds for sport horse prospects. However, Thoroughbreds, being so athletic and smart, would make excellent sport horse prospects. By educating people about the benefits of off-track Thoroughbreds and emphasizing the need to give them second careers, demand for them would increase, allowing retired racehorses to find new homes after their time on the track ends.

Something people in the horse industry don’t realize and is so important is that horses seeking second careers is not just an issue among the racing industry – it needs to be addressed in all equine disciplines. There is a plethora of unwanted horses with the potential to make great horses. If unwanted horses had the opportunity to be retrained for different disciplines, the likelihood of them finding homes would increase significantly, which is why this area of the industry is so crucial.

College of Business: How has studying and working in Kentucky shaped the way you think about horses and the racing industry?

Lauren Bloss: Kentucky has opened so many new doors of opportunity for me to further my career in the equine industry. There are so many resources accessible to me. I have had the opportunity to tour top stud farms, meet industry professionals and gain valuable experience that I never would have had if I hadn’t made the move out here from Texas.

College of Business: What skills or perspectives have you gained through this experience that you hope to carry into your career?

Lauren Bloss: This position has allowed me to see a whole new side of the horse industry. I’ve learned new training techniques and gained new perspectives on retraining and operating an equine business. Regardless of the career path I choose, I will be able to carry the skills and experiences I’ve gained and use them to motivate my next journey.

College of Business: As you prepare to graduate in May, how has this program added to your understanding of the equine industry?

Lauren Bloss: This position with Rosie has helped me understand that as I go through my career in the horse industry, I will learn many different techniques for retraining, riding and overall equine management. [However,] regardless of what discipline or area of the industry I enter, I can carry these skills with me and tailor them to any opportunity.

College of Business: What kind of work in the equine industry do you hope to pursue after completing your certificate?

Lauren Bloss: After graduating, I plan to remain in Kentucky to build on my experience retraining retired racehorses. I am especially interested in pursuing job opportunities at a breeding farm in yearling sale preparation to expand my knowledge and grow within the industry.

College of Business: What does it mean to you to be entering the industry at a time when so much attention is being given to the future of horses after racing?

Lauren Bloss: I have always had a love for the sport, so entering the industry at a time when there is a strong push for young professionals is especially exciting. I am eager to be a part of the next generation working to support horse racing, influence positive change and contribute to a productive and sustainable future for this historic industry.

College of Business: What advice would you give individuals considering a career in equine business?

Lauren Bloss: My advice would be to keep an open mind and to not be afraid to make mistakes. That is where we learn and grow the most, so leaning into challenging moments and taking steps to improve will help anyone go far, regardless of their career path. Taking opportunities, even when they feel overwhelming, often has rewarding outcomes. I know that has definitely been the case for me. 

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