Old Friends Equine

Old Friends is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. (TAA)

It is the only Thoroughbred retirement facility in the United States that accepts stallions on a regular basis. Old Friends is currently home to over 150 retired Thoroughbred athletes.

The facility was inspired by the death of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand and was created in 2002 by former Boston Globe movie critic Michael Blowen.^[1]

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.^[2]

In 2015, Old Friends announced a partnership with Kentucky Downs, with the cooperation and assistance of Simpson County Tourism. Located on the Kentucky-Tennessee 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, Tour of the Cat, 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.

Notable residents in Kentucky

Affirmed Success - Winner of 1998 Forego Handicap and Vosburgh Stakes, 1999 Cigar Mile Handicap, 2002 Carter Handicap, 9 stakes wins^[3]
Alphabet Soup - Winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic
Amazombie - 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint / Eclipse Award Champion
Commentator - Two time Whitney Handicap winner and New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008)^[4]
Eldaafer - 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon Champion - with his goats, Yahoo and Google
Futural - Winner of 2001 Mervyn Leroy Handicap and San Bernardino Handicap ^[5]
Game On Dude - The only three time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap
Genuine Reward - one of only two living foals produced by Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk
I'm Charismatic - Son of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Charismatic^[6]
Hidden Lake, 1997 Eclipse Champion Old Mare
Kudos - Winner of Grade 1 2001 Oaklawn Handicap^[7]
Little Silver Charm - Old Friends official spokeshorse and the only non-Thoroughbred horse at Dream Chase Farm.
Popcorn Deelites - Professional actor, performed the title role in Seabiscuit, Winner of 11 races^[8]
Rapid Redux - Vox Populi Award winner of 22 consecutive races - modern North American record setter.
Sarava - Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes^[9]
Silver Charm - Winner of 1997 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Dubal World Cup and Hall of Fame inductee.^[10]
Special Ring - Winner of 2003 and 2004 Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap ^[11]
Tinner's Way- Two time winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Secretariat's last born son.
Touch Gold - 1997 Belmont Stakes winner
Wallenda - Winner of 1993 Grade 1 Super Derby and son of Gulch^[12]
War Emblem - Winner of the 2000 Kentucky Derby and Preakness

Notable residents in New York

Thunder Rumble (deceased), the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Grade I Travers Stakes.^[13]
Will's Way, 1996 Travers Stakes winner.^[14]
Zippy Chippy, modern record holder for the most losses - racing's most lovable loser!

Deceased Old Friends

Awad - Winner of 1993 Secretariat Stakes and 1995 Arlington Million ^[15] Died in 2011.
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.^[16]
Black Tie Affair - Breeders' Cup Champion 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.^[17] Died at age 28 in 2010.
Bull Inthe Heather - Son of Ferdinand, winner of 1993 Florida Derby.^[18] Euthanized in 2014 due to ongoing physical infirmities.
Creator - Winner of 1990 Prix Ganay ^[19] Euthanized on February 28, 2015 after complications from colic.^[20]
Flying Pidgeon - Winner of 1986 Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap. Euthanized on December 4, 2008.^[21]
Fortunate Prospect - Winner of 1984 San Vincente Stakes, sire of 537 winners ^[22] Died at age 32 in 2012.
Gulch, Eclipse Champion / Breeders' Cup-winning sprinter and sire of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. Died at 32 on January 17, 2016.
Kiri's Clown - Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga ^[16] Passed 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.
Ogygian - Winner of 1985 Belmont Futurity, 1986 Riva Ridge Stakes, 1986 Dwyer Stakes and 1986 Jerome Handicap 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.
Ruhlmann - Winner of 1990 Santa Anita Handicap. Died December 24, 2008.^[23]
The Wicked North - 1994 Eclipse Award winner. Euthanized March 2011.^[24]
Precisionist - Hall of Fame, Breeders' Cup Sprint Champion. Euthanized in 2006 due to cancerous tumors.
Prized - 1989 Breeders' Cup Turf Champion (It was his first start on a grass course). Died in 2014 at age 28.
Sunshine Forever - Champion Turf Horse of 1988, Winner of 1988 Budweiser International, Turf Classic, and Man o' War Stakes. Died January 7, 2014.^[25]
Taylor's Special - 1984 G1 Bluegrass Stakes winner. Euthanized in 2006 due to a paddock accident.
Williamstown - former mile record holder at Belmont^[26] He was euthanized February 25, 2015 due to complications from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.^[27]
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 - 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.

External links

References

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