Old Friends Equine

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File:Old Friends Equine.jpg
Horses at Old Friends Equine

Old Friends is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, 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 retirement facility in the United States that accepts stallions on a regular basis. Old Friends is currently home to over 150 retired Thoroughbred athletes.[1]

Background

File:Old Friends sharing a pasture.jpg
Geldings share pastures at Old Friends, becoming close friends

The facility was created in 2003 by former Boston Globe movie critic Michael Blowen, spurred by the death of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in 2002. The presence of high profile horses helps raise money, allowing after-care for more low profile horses.[2]

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.[3]

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.[2]

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.[4]

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 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.[5]

Notable residents

File:Silver Charm at Old Friends.jpg
Silver Charm enjoying his retirement at Old Friends

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 and Vosburgh Stakes, 1999 Cigar Mile Handicap, 2002 Carter Handicap, retired to Old Friends in 2007 after a stint at the Kentucky Horse Park[6]
  • Alphabet Soup (stallion, 1991) - Winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Springs[7]
  • Amazombie (gelding, 2006) - Won 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter[6]
  • Catlaunch (gelding, 2001) - Started over 100 times, earning over $1 million at smaller tracks in the midwest[6]
  • Commentator (gelding, 2001) - Two time Whitney Handicap winner and New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008)[8]
  • Eldaafer (gelding, 2005) - Winner of 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 with his goats, Yahoo and Google[9]
  • Futural (gelding, 1996) - Winner of 2001 Mervyn Leroy Handicap and San Bernardino Handicap, joined Old Friends in 2006[10]
  • Game On Dude (gelding, 2007) - The only three time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and winner of over $6 million. Retired to Old Friends in 2014[11]
  • Genuine Reward (stallion, 1993) - One of only two living foals produced by Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk, he never raced. Was serving as a sire of polo ponies before being relocated to Old Friends in 2015[12]
  • Hidden Lake (mare, 1993) - 1997 Eclipse Champion Old Mare, retired to Old Friends in 2009 due to difficulties in carrying foals to term[13]
  • I'm Charismatic (gelding, 2001) - 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.[6]
File:Rapid Redux with Rail Trip.jpg
Rapid Redux with Rail Trip
  • Kudos (gelding, 1997) - Winner of Grade 1 2001 Oaklawn Handicap[6]
  • Little Silver Charm (?) - Old Friends official spokeshorse and the only non-Thoroughbred horse at Dream Chase Farm. "Author" of A Charmed Life as told to Diane White, published in 2016, the story of life at Old Friends[14]
  • Popcorn Deelites (gelding, 1998) - Low level claimer turned professional actor, performed the title role in Seabiscuit, joined Old Friends in 2005[15]
  • Rail Trip (gelding, 2005) - Won Hollywood Gold Cup and over $1.5 million, joined Old Friends in 2014[16]
  • Rapid Redux (gelding, 2006) - Set a modern North American record by winning 22 consecutive races, winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, joined Old Friends in 2012[17]
  • Sarava (stallion, 1999) - Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes in the biggest upset in the race's history. Retired from stud in 2012[18]
  • Silver Charm (stallion, 1994) - Winner of 1997 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and 1998 Dubai World Cup. Hall of Fame inductee. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 after standing in Japan[19]
  • Special Ring (gelding, 1997) - Winner of 2003 and 2004 Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap, joined Old Friends in 2005[6]
  • Tinner's Way (stallion, 1990) - Two time winner of the Pacific Classic, Secretariat's last born son. Retired in 2010 after standing at Stud in Kentucky, California and Texas[20]
  • Touch Gold (stallion, 1994) - Won the 1997 Belmont Stakes, denying Silver Charm the Triple Crown. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Spings[21]
  • War Emblem (now a gelding, 1997) - Winner of the 2000 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[22]

Notable residents in New York

Notable residents at Kentucky Downs

  • Ball Four (gelding, 2001) - Won Kentucky Cup Classic, set two track records
  • Sgt. Bert (gelding, 2001) - Two time winner of Woodford Stakes, setting a track record
  • Thornfield (gelding, 1994) - Won Canadian International, 1999 Canadian Horse of the Year
  • Tour of the Cat (gelding, 1998) - 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[25]

Deceased Old Friends

File:Gulch (horse) 2.jpg
Gulch at age 31

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 - 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

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Int’l Fund for Horses - December 8, 2009
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Bloodhorse.com - December 2, 2009
  24. ↑ http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/57667/wills-way-to-old-friends-ny-division
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Taylor's Special Euthanized; Awad to Join Old Friends Roster| bloodhorse.com
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Old Friends adds Kiri's Clown and Ballindaggin - Thoroughbred Times
  28. ↑ Bonnie's Poker, dam of Silver Charm, joins Old Friends - Thoroughbred Times
  29. ↑ Old Friends Finding Company Outside Horse Industry| bloodhorse.com
  30. ↑ Old Friends welcomes Sunshine Forever, Creator - Thoroughbred Times
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Old Friends acquires pensioned Farnsworth stallion Fortunate Prospect - Thoroughbred Times
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Ruhlmann Arrives at Old Friends| bloodhorse.com
  36. ↑ http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/03/24/the-wicked-north-euthanized.aspx
  37. ↑ Old Friends welcomes Sunshine Forever, Creator - Thoroughbred Times
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Old Friends Welcomes Williamstown| bloodhorse.com
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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