![Old Friends Equine](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Old_Friends_Equine.jpg)
Old Friends is a nonprofit
501(c)(3)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...
equine retirement facility in
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a home rule-class city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 37,086 at the 2020 census. It is the 6th-largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the seat of its county. It was originall ...
, accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). The organization started with one leased paddock and two horses, but now owns 136 acres, Dreamchase Farm, with additional leased pasturage. It is the only
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...
retirement facility in the United States that accepts
stallion
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded (castrated).
Stallions follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" nec ...
s on a regular basis. Old Friends is currently home to over 150 retired Thoroughbred athletes.
Background
![Old Friends sharing a pasture](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Old_Friends_sharing_a_pasture.jpg)
The facility was created in 2003 by former ''
The Boston Globe
''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...
'' movie critic Michael Blowen, spurred by the death of 1986
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The competition is a Grade I stakes race for three-year ...
winner
Ferdinand
Ferdinand is a Germanic name composed of the elements "protection", "peace" (PIE "to love, to make peace") or alternatively "journey, travel", Proto-Germanic , abstract noun from root "to fare, travel" (PIE , "to lead, pass over"), and "co ...
in 2002. The presence of high-profile horses helps raise money, allowing after-care for more low profile horses.
In 2009, Joann and Mark Pepper's farm in
Greenfield Center, New York, became a satellite operation of Old Friends Equine known as Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division named for
U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer
Bobby Frankel, who died in 2009.
In 2015, Old Friends announced a partnership with
Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Downs is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, in the city of Franklin, Kentucky, just off Interstate 65. It is unique among American tracks in that it is a European-style course—its su ...
, with the cooperation and assistance of
Simpson County Tourism. Located on the
Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
-
Tennessee
Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
border, this satellite facility can house up to 10 retired Thoroughbreds and features daily tours and a gift shop. Residents currently include Canadian Horse of the Year Thornfield, Ball Four, Rumor Has It, Hussonfirst, Lusty Latin, and Sgt. Bert.
In January 2015, Old Friends was selected to receive a special Eclipse Award honoring extraordinary service or contributions to the Thoroughbred industry.
[
In January 2016, a fire destroyed the organization's hospital/quarantine barn. Forunately, no horses or people were harmed. Plans are underway to rebuild a new fire-safe barn, aided by donations and fundraising activities.
Horses are kept "turned out" in their pasture as much as possible, with run-in sheds available in case of bad weather. Geldings typically share a ]paddock
A paddock is a small enclosure for horses. In the United Kingdom, this term also applies to a field for a general automobile racing competition, particularly Formula 1.
Description
In Canada and the United States of America, a paddock is a small ...
with one or two others, forming tight bonds. Stallions are more territorial and are thus kept in separate pastures. They do interact with each other though, often by racing down their fences. Visitors are allowed to touch and feed most of the retirees.
The board of directors consists of Michael Blowen (president), William Van Den Dool (vice president), Diane White (secretary), Rosie Napravnik
Anna Rose "Rosie" Napravnik (born February 9, 1988) is a former American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey and two-time winner of the Kentucky Oaks. Beginning her career in 2005, she was regularly ranked among the top jockeys in North America in ...
, Dr. Steve Allday, Clark Nyberg, Cindy Grisolia, Suzanne Mundy, Dennis Brida, Ron Portell, Ron Wallace, Mark Otto, Barbara Fossum, and Corey Johnsen.
Notable residents
Residents at the main farm in Kentucky range from Classic winners to claimers. They include:
* Affirmed Success (gelding, born 1994) – Winner of 1998 Forego Handicap
The Forego Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses four years old and older over the distance of seven furlongs on the dirt, scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event curr ...
and Vosburgh Stakes
The Vosburgh Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Run at the end of September/early October, it is open to horses three-years-old and up of either gender. A Grade II sprint race, it is ra ...
, 1999 Cigar Mile Handicap
The Cigar Mile Handicap is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three-years-old and older held in late November or early December at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Typically New York's final Grade I thoroughbred st ...
, 2002 Carter Handicap
The Carter Handicap is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-years-old and older run over a distance of seven furlongs run annually in early April at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Race history
First run in 1895, the race was named for Br ...
, retired to Old Friends in 2007 after a stint at the Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm, international equestrian competition venue, and an educational theme park opened in 1978 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located off Kentucky State Highway 1973 (Iron Works Pike) and Interstate 75, at Exi ...
.
* Alphabet Soup
Alphabet soup may refer to:
*A common dish made from alphabet pasta
*Alphabet soup (linguistics), a metaphor for an abundance of abbreviations or acronyms
* Alphabet Soup (ultimate frisbee), a mixed European ultimate frisbee team
*Alphabet Soup (ho ...
(1991, stallion) – Winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-olds and older run at a distance of on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in late October o ...
. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Springs
Adena Springs is a Thoroughbred horse breeding operation owned by Frank Stronach and his family. The main farm is located in Paris, Kentucky, with satellite locations in Florida and Ontario, Canada. Adena Springs has won the Eclipse Award for Ou ...
.
* Amazombie (2006, gelding) – Won 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older. Run on dirt Corrected grade for Santa Anita sprintover a distance of 6 Furlongs ( mile), the race has been held annually si ...
, Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter.
* Commentator (gelding, 2001) – Two time Whitney Handicap
The Whitney Stakes (run as the Whitney Handicap through 2013 and still sometimes referred to as such) is an American Grade 1 stakes race for Thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and older run at a distance of miles. The current purse is $1 ...
winner and New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008).
* Eldaafer (2005, gelding) – Winner of 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes, is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and up, and contested on dirt at usually at a distance of miles. The race has a purse of US$350,000. It is run as part of the underca ...
. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 with his goats, Yahoo and Google
* Game On Dude
Game On Dude (foaled April 26, 2007 in Kentucky) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse gelding. He won fourteen graded stakes races, including eight Grade I stakes: the Santa Anita Handicap in 2011, 2013, and 2014 the only horse to have wo ...
(2007, gelding) – The only three-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up and was once considered the most important race for old ...
and winner of over $6 million. Retired to Old Friends in 2014.
* I'm Charismatic (2001, gelding) – Son of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic, he raced 92 times with limited success, dropping to the lowest claiming ranks. Purchased in 2012 for retirement to Old Friends.
*Little Mike
Little Mike (foaled May 24, 2007 in Florida) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf.
Background
Little Mike is a Bay (horse), bay gelding bred by Carlo Vaccarezza, who immigrated to the United S ...
(2007, gelding) Winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current ...
.
* Little Silver Charm (?) – Miniature horse
A miniature horse is a breed or type of horse characterised by its small size. Usually it has been bred to display in miniature the physical characteristics of a full-sized horse, but to be little over in height, or even less. Although such hor ...
and Old Friends' official "spokeshorse". One of the few non-Thoroughbred horses at Dream Chase Farm. "Author" of ''A Charmed Life'' as told to Diane White, published in 2016, the story of life at Old Friends.
* Popcorn Deelites (1998, gelding) – Low level claimer turned animal actor, performed the title role in ''Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit (May 23, 1933 – May 17, 1947) was a champion thoroughbred racehorse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse ...
'', joined Old Friends in 2005.
* Rail Trip (2005, gelding) – Won Hollywood Gold Cup
The Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in May. The race currently offers a purse of $400,000 ...
and over $1.5 million, joined Old Friends in 2014.
* Rapid Redux (2006, gelding) – Set a modern North American record by winning 22 consecutive races, winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award The Secretariat Vox Populi Award, also known as the "Voice of the People" award, was established in 2010 by Penny Chenery, who was the owner of Secretariat (horse), Secretariat. The annual award "recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing exce ...
, joined Old Friends in 2012.
* Sarava
Sarava (foaled March 2, 1999 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2002 Belmont Stakes.
Background
Sired by the 1984 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Wild Again, Sarava was out of the mare Rhythm of Life, a ...
(1999, stallion) – Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is run over 1.5 miles (2,400 m). Colts and geldings carry a weight of ; fillies carry . The race, nicknamed Th ...
in the biggest upset in the race's history. Retired from stud in 2012.
* Silver Charm
Silver Charm (foaled February 22, 1994) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and 1998 Dubai World Cup (all of which he is the oldest surviving winner). He stood at stud in both Americ ...
(1994, stallion) – Winner of 1997 Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The competition is a Grade I stakes race for three-year ...
, Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held on Armed Forces Day which is also the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs () on ...
and 1998 Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup (Arabic: كأس دبي العالمي) is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and contested at the Meydan Racecourse (Arabic: ميدان) which in Arabic suggests a place wh ...
. Hall of Fame
A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
inductee. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 after standing in Japan.
* Special Ring (1997, gelding) – Winner of 2003 and 2004 Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap, joined Old Friends in 2005.
* Sun King (2002, stallion) – Multiple graded stakes winning son of Charismatic, joined Old Friends in 2017 after being pensioned from stallion duty, shortly after his sire's passing.
* Touch Gold
Touch Gold (foaled May 26, 1994 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the Classic Belmont Stakes, in which he ended Silver Charm's bid for the U.S. Triple Crown.
Background
Sired by Canadian Horse Raci ...
(1994, stallion) – Won the 1997 Belmont Stakes, denying Silver Charm the Triple Crown. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Springs.
* Winning Dubai (2009, gelding) – A Puerto Rican runner who was retired and sent stateside after Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria was a deadly Saffir–Simpson scale#Category 5, Category 5 Tropical cyclone, hurricane that devastated the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly Dominica, Saint Croix, and Puerto Rico. It is regarded as the wo ...
, along with several other horses. The son of E Dubai made over 90 starts, winning 22 times and earning over $105,984.
Notable residents in New York
* This Hard Land, a seven-time winner in 49 starts who was named after a song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetitio ...
by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originat ...
.
* King Congie (2008, gelding) – Stakes winner who contested the 2011 Preakness Stakes
The 2011 Preakness Stakes was the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes and was won by Shackleford. The race took place on May 21, 2011, and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network. The post time was EDT ( UTC). The race ...
, he was rescued from an auction by Rosemary Farms, a horse rescue operation in 2016. He was returned to a previous owner, who then donated him to Old Friends.
Notable residents at Kentucky Downs
* Ball Four (2001, gelding) – Won Kentucky Cup Classic, set two track records
* Good Lord (2007, gelding) – 9-time stakes winner with over 80 starts, earnings of $803,305.
* Sgt. Bert (2001, gelding) – Two time winner of the Woodford Stakes
The Woodford Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of furlongs on the turf held annually in early October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.
Hi ...
, setting a track record
* Thornfield (1994, gelding) – Won Canadian International, 1999 Canadian Horse of the Year
Deceased Old Friends
Former residents of Old Friends include:
* Awad – Winner of 1993 Secretariat Stakes and 1995 Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flat horse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward on the turf. It was originally raced at the now-closed Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois over a distance of ...
. Died in 2011.
* A. P. Slew – Great-great grandson of Hall of Fame filly Silver Spoon
The English language expression silver spoon is synonymous with wealth, especially inherited wealth; someone born into a wealthy family is said to have "been born with a silver spoon in their mouth". As an adjective, "silver spoon" describes s ...
. Euthanized in 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.
* Appygolucky – King of the Claimers at Beulah Park, holds track record for a mile at the now-defunct Ohio racetrack. Euthanized in 2009 due to spinal condition.
* Ballindaggin – Winner of 1988 Molson Export Challenge. Euthanized on July 22, 2008.
* Black Tie Affair – Winner of 1991 Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-olds and older run at a distance of on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in late October o ...
and Horse of the Year. Died in 2010 after a battle with cancer and arthritis.
* Bonnie's Poker – Dam of Hall of Fame Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Silver Charm
Silver Charm (foaled February 22, 1994) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and 1998 Dubai World Cup (all of which he is the oldest surviving winner). He stood at stud in both Americ ...
. Died at age 28 in 2010.
* Bonapaw – Millionaire winner of the 2002 Vosburgh Stakes
The Vosburgh Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Run at the end of September/early October, it is open to horses three-years-old and up of either gender. A Grade II sprint race, it is ra ...
that made over 40 starts. Was euthanized in 2017 due to complications caused by neurological disease.
* Bull Heather – Son of Ferdinand
Ferdinand is a Germanic name composed of the elements "protection", "peace" (PIE "to love, to make peace") or alternatively "journey, travel", Proto-Germanic , abstract noun from root "to fare, travel" (PIE , "to lead, pass over"), and "co ...
, winner of 1993 Florida Derby
The Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Since 2005, it has been run five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturd ...
. Euthanized in 2014 due to ongoing physical infirmities.
* Catlaunch (2001, gelding) – Started over 100 times, earning over $1 million at smaller tracks in Ohio and the midwest. Euthanized in May 2018 due to chronic neurologic disease.
* Charismatic- 1999 Lexington Stakes, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, died at age 21 in after a freak stall accident, shortly after arriving at Old Friends from Japan, where he had been standing stallion duties.
* Creator (1986 stallion) – Winner of 1990 Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs) at Long ...
. In 2004, he was one of the first stallions (with Ogygian and Sunshine Forever) returned by Old Friends from overseas for retirement. Euthanized on February 28, 2015, after complications from colic.
* Crusader Sword (1985 stallion) – Winner of 1997 Hopeful Stakes
The Hopeful Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to two-year-old horses, the Hopeful is the first Grade I stakes for two-year-olds each season and historically has ...
and Saratoga Special Stakes
The Saratoga Special Stakes is an American grade II thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six furlongs on the dirt.
With its first r ...
. A leading sire in New York, he sired 16 stakes winners and over $17.8 million in progeny earnings. He died in May 2010 due to infirmities of old age.
* Diamond Stripes – Winner of the 2008 Gr.II Godolpin Mile at Meydan and two other graded stakes. Euthanized at age 10 due to complications from sinus cancer.
* Fortunate Prospect – Winner of 1984 San Vincente Stakes, sire of 537 winners Died at age 32 in 2012.
* Genuine Reward (1993, stallion) – One of only two living foals produced by Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk, he never raced. He was serving as a sire of polo ponies before being relocated to Old Friends in 2015. Euthanized in 2018.
* Gulch
In xeric lands, a gulch is a deep V-shaped valley formed by erosion. It may contain a small stream or dry creek bed and is usually larger in size than a gully. Sudden intense rainfall upstream may produce flash floods in the bed of the gulch. ...
(1984 stallion) – Eclipse Champion / Breeders' Cup-winning sprinter and sire of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch
Thunder Gulch (May 23, 1992 – March 19, 2018) was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for his wins in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1995, which earned him the title of U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt.
Background
...
. Died at age 32 on January 17, 2016.
* Halo America- Multiple graded stakes winning mare, dam of stakes winners Quick Temper and Marino Marini, and granddam of 2017 Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage ( cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user. Large clouds often have functions distributed over mul ...
, euthanized at age 26 due to declining health.
* Hidden Lake (1993 mare) – 1997 Eclipse Champion Older Mare, retired to Old Friends in 2009. Euthanized September 29, 2016 due to the infirmities of old age.
* Kiri's Clown (1989 stallion) – Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for miles at Saratoga. Retired from stud in 2006, passed 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.
* Key Contender (1988 stallion) – Winner of 1995 Suburban Handicap
The Suburban Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is now run at the mile distance on dirt for a $700,000 purse.
Named after the City and Su ...
with over 50 starts. Sired stakes winner Weathered. Died in July 2012 due to colic.
* Ogygian (1983 stallion) – Winner of 1985 Belmont Futurity
The Futurity Stakes, commonly referred to as the Belmont Futurity, is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-September or October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, United States. Open to two-year-old horses, it is raced on turf ...
, 1986 Riva Ridge Stakes, 1986 Dwyer Stakes
The Dwyer Stakes is an American Grade III stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred racehorses held annually at Belmont Park racetrack in Elmont, Long Island, New York. Run in early July, it is open to three-year-old horses and is raced over a ...
and 1986 Jerome Handicap
The Jerome Stakes is a stakes race for thoroughbred horses run each January at Aqueduct Racetrack. Open to three year olds, the race is run at one mile and carries a purse of $150,000. It is a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying race, with the wi ...
. Ogygian was euthanized at the age of 32 due to colic complications. At the time of his death, he was the oldest resident at Old Friends.
* Precisionist – Won 1985 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter, Hall of Fame inductee. Euthanized in 2006 due to cancerous tumors.
* Prized
Prized (May 20, 1986 – July 20, 2014) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse.
Background
Prized was bred in Florida by Meadowbrook Farm who raced him in partnership with Clover Racing Stable. He was by the very successful sire Kris S., a s ...
– Winner of 1989 Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current ...
in his first start on a grass course. Died in 2014 at age 28.
* Sunshine Forever – Winner of 1988 Budweiser International, Turf Classic, and Man o' War Stakes
The Man o' War Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four-years-old and older. It is run over a distance of one and three-eighth miles on turf and is scheduled annually for early May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New Y ...
, Champion Turf Horse. Died January 7, 2014.
* Ruhlmann – Winner of 1990 Santa Anita Handicap
The Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up and was once considered the most important race for old ...
. Died December 24, 2008.
* The Wicked North – Won three Grade 1 races, 1994 Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th-century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse.
An Eclipse Award Trophy is presented to the winner in each division that is made by a few small selected American ...
winner for Champion Older Horse. Euthanized March 2011.
* Thunder Rumble
Thunder Rumble (1989 in New York (state), New York – January 6, 2015) was an American Thoroughbred Horse racing, racehorse that The Blood-Horse called a "sensation at Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga" race course for his performances there in 199 ...
, the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is nicknamed the "Mid-Summer Derby" and is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds according to internation ...
. Died of complications from colic in January 2015 at age 26.
* Will's Way, 1996 Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is nicknamed the "Mid-Summer Derby" and is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds according to internation ...
winner.
* Tinners Way – Two time winner of the Pacific Classic
The Pacific Classic Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older over a distance of one and one quarter miles on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The ev ...
, Secretariat's last born son. Euthanized at age 27 after battling a severe neurological disease.
* Tour of the Cat (1998, gelding) – Won multiple graded stakes and over $1.1 million, before descending through the claiming ranks. Claimed in 2009 in order to retire to Old Friends. Died in May 2018 due to a diaphragmatic hernia.
* Wallenda – Winner of 1993 Grade 1 Super Derby and son of Gulch. Euthanized in 2016 after a lifelong battle with chronic pain caused by a bad hoof.
* War Emblem
War Emblem (February 20, 1999 – March 11, 2020) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Background
War Emblem was bred by Charles Nuckols Jr. & Sons in Kentucky. His sire was O ...
(1999, stallion until 2015, gelding thereafter) – Winner of the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Stood in Japan where he was a notoriously shy breeder. Brought back to Old Friends in 2015 where it proved necessary to geld him to comply with USDA regulations. Died in March 2020 at age 21.
* Williamstown – Former mile record holder at Belmont. He was euthanized February 25, 2015 due to complications from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), is a disease caused by the apicomplexan parasite '' Sarcocystis neurona'' that affects the central nervous system of horses.
History
EPM was first discovered in the 1960s by the American biologist Dr. Ji ...
.
* Winston (1993, gelding) – miniature horse, former resident Thoroughbred companion at the Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum is an American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby, it first opened its doors to the public in the ...
. Retired to Old Friends and died on May 2, 2018, just before his 25th birthday, due to an abdominal infection.
* Zippy Chippy
Zippy Chippy (April 20, 1991 – April 2022) was a thoroughbred race horse, a bay gelding, who is notable for being winless in 100 races. Zippy Chippy's pedigree includes many famous horses, such as Ben Brush, Buckpasser, Busanda, Bold Ruler, C ...
, modern American record holder for the most losses—"racing's most lovable loser
The lovable loser is a character archetype portrayed as a sympathetic, likable, or well-meaning person for whom bad luck continually prevents their various efforts from succeeding, and from obtaining the things they feel will bring them happiness,S ...
"
The following horses were re-interred at Old Friends when their original graves were threatened:
* Noor – Hall of Fame Champion re-interred from the former Loma Rica Ranch after planned development due to an effort headed by Charlotte Farmer.
* Skip Away
Skip Away (April 4, 1993 – May 14, 2010), was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 1998 Horse of the Year, 1996 Champion Three-Year-Old, and 1997 and 1998 Champion Handicap Horse. He won 10 Grade One races for $9,616,360 in ...
– Hall of Fame Champion, 1998 Horse of the Year was re-interred from the former burial place at Hopewell Farm. The farm was sold at auction.
* Glacial Princess – Two-time Ohio Horse of the Year (1985, 1986) who broke down during the 1987 Ballerina Stakes
The Ballerina Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Sprin ...
; re-interred after resting place Beulah Park was scheduled for development. The Glacial Princess Stakes is run at Mahoning Valley in her honor.
* Springsteel – "Iron Horse" gelding with a race record of 76: 20-15-9 and earnings of $39,340, five time stakes winner and track record setter, euthanized after breaking down after a race at Rockingham Park
Rockingham Park was a horse racing establishment in Salem, New Hampshire, in the United States. First built in 1906, it was used as an area for many to gamble on the weekends. Seabiscuit raced there in 1935 and 1936,''Daily Racing Form'' staff (2 ...
, where he was buried. After the defunct racetrack was set for development, noted photographer Barbara Livingston and Michael Blowen arranged for the transfer of his headstone.
Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs
In 2015, Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Downs is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, in the city of Franklin, Kentucky, just off Interstate 65. It is unique among American tracks in that it is a European-style course—its su ...
introduced the Old Friends Stakes. A black-type turf stakes run in September, the race is held on the "Old Friends Day" race card, a day dedicated to the facility and thoroughbred aftercare. Along with their share of the $150,000 purse, the winner is guaranteed a place at Old Friends upon retirement.
The inaugural running in 2015 was won by 50–1 shot Kalamos, a son of Empire Maker
Empire Maker (April 27, 2000 - January 18, 2020)[Gio Ponti
Giovanni "Gio" Ponti ( ͡ʒo18 November 1891 – 16 September 1979) was an Italian architect, industrial designer, furniture designer, artist, teacher, writer and publisher.
During his career, which spanned six decades, Ponti built more tha ...]
who most notably took the 2016 Queen's Plate
The King's Plate (known as the Queen's Plate between 1860 to 1901 and 1952 to 2022) is Canada's oldest Thoroughbred horse race, having been founded in 1860. It is also the oldest continuously run race in North America. It is run at a distance of ...
in an upset. The win was his first since the Queen's Plate.
External links
Old Friends Official Home Page
Old Friends Equine at Facebook
Old Friends Featured On The Cover and Inside Stride Magazine
Online article with video – "Is Michael Blowen Crazy?
References
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Charities based in Kentucky
Horse racing in the United States
Equestrian organizations
Animal charities based in the United States
Horse welfare organizations
Old Friends Equine Retirement
Tourist attractions in Lexington, Kentucky
Eclipse Award winners
2003 establishments in Kentucky