From Racetrack to Upperville Champion: Ifwhizkycouldtalk Proves OTTBs Belong

Posted by Turning For Home | June 2025

When announcers called Ifwhizkycouldtalk into the ring at the historic Upperville Colt & Horse Show, most spectators paused at his name. But by the time he soared over his final fence, it was clear: this Thoroughbred didn’t just belong—he was the one to beat.

The 6-year-old gelding, known as Whizky, took top honors in the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Championship and the Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Classic, riding under longtime OTTB advocate Sue Lyman, and proving that racehorses can shine in the most traditional hunter venues in America.

“He has the brain, the heart, and the talent.”

Whizky’s story is classic TFH: honest, a little messy, and ultimately triumphant.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Mary Haire, Whizky had just three starts at Parx Racing before he was accepted into Turning For Home, our industry-supported program for retiring racehorses. He was first adopted as a riding horse, but returned after several months when he proved to be too green and was diagnosed with kissing spine, a condition that can limit a horse’s comfort and performance if not managed carefully.

🗣 “That return wasn’t a failure. It was a turning point,” said TFH Program Director Danielle Montgomery. “We always tell people—not every first home is the right one, but we’ll never stop trying to find the one that is.”

After time to grow stronger and more confident, Whizky was adopted again—this time by someone who saw his potential, not just his past.

Sue Lyman: Champion of the OTTB

Enter Sue Lyman, a lifelong Thoroughbred horsewoman based in Virginia. She saw Whizky’s ad online and decided to take a chance.

“He had the movement, the quiet nature, and the braveness I look for. His back X-rays weren’t perfect, but he had the brain,” Lyman told The Chronicle of the Horse.

With Sue riding and Catherine Brown as owner, Whizky started in the baby greens and Thoroughbred classes—and kept exceeding expectations. Just months later, he’s a regular winner in the 3’3” Green Hunters, showing against warmbloods and catching judges’ eyes.

Advocating for OTTBs—Loud and Clear

Sue isn’t just riding OTTBs—she’s fighting for them.

She’s working to revive the USHJA Thoroughbred Task Force, aiming to increase awareness, incentives, and visibility for Thoroughbreds in the hunter/jumper world.

“People don’t give enough credit to the good Thoroughbreds,” Lyman says. “They’re brave, smart, affordable—and when trained right, they can compete at the highest levels.”

A Promise to Every Horse

Whizky’s journey—from racetrack, to return, to champion—is a reminder of what Turning For Home stands for.

We don’t just place horses.

We match them.

We support every adopter, every farm, and every horse—for life.

Whether it’s a diagnosis like kissing spine, or a home that simply isn’t the right fit, our job is to keep trying.

Because behind every success story like Whizky, there’s a program that refused to give up.

He’s also proving that one person's return can be the next show ring standout—when given the care, time, and belief they deserve.

🖊 Read the full article by Lindsay Berreth in The Chronicle of the Horse

📸 Photos by Lindsay Berreth and Sue Lyman

🌐 Learn more about how we back our horses for life at: turningforhome.org