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 it 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]
Geldings share pastures at Old Friends, becoming close friends
The facility was created in 2003 by former The 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 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, 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. Fortunately, 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]
The board of directors consists of Michael Blowen (president), William Van Den Dool (vice president), Diane White (secretary), Rosie Napravnik, Dr. Steve Allday, Clark Nyberg, Cindy Grisolia, Suzanne Mundy, Dennis Brida, Ron Portell, Ron Wallace, Mark Otto, Barbara Fossum, and Corey Johnsen.[1]
Eldaafer (2005, gelding) – Winner of 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 with his goats, Yahoo and Google[9]
Game On Dude (2007, gelding) – The only three-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and winner of over $6 million. Retired to Old Friends in 2014.[10]
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.[6]
Little Silver Charm (?) – Miniature horse 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.[12]
Rail Trip (2005, gelding) – Won Hollywood Gold Cup and over $1.5 million, joined Old Friends in 2014.[13]
Rapid Redux (2006, gelding) – Set a modern North American record by winning 22 consecutive races, winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, joined Old Friends in 2012.[14]
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 (1994, stallion) – Won the 1997 Belmont Stakes, denying Silver Charm the Triple Crown. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Springs.[16]
Winning Dubai (2009, gelding) – A Puerto Rican runner who was retired and sent stateside after Hurricane Maria, along with several other horses. The son of E Dubai made over 90 starts, winning 22 times and earning over $105,984.[17]
King Congie (2008, gelding) – Stakes winner who contested the 2011 Preakness Stakes, 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.[19]
A. P. Slew – Great-great grandson of Hall of Fame filly Silver Spoon. Euthanized in 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.[22]
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.
Bonnie's Poker – Dam of Hall of Fame Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Silver Charm.[24] Died at age 28 in 2010.
Bonapaw – Millionaire winner of the 2002 Vosburgh Stakes that made over 40 starts. Was euthanized in 2017 due to complications caused by neurological disease.
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.[26]
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.[27] 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.[28]
Crusader Sword (1985 stallion) – Winner of 1997 Hopeful Stakes and Saratoga Special Stakes. 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.[29]
Genuine Reward at age 25Gulch at age 31
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 [30] 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.[31] Euthanized in 2018.[32]
Gulch (1984 stallion) – Eclipse Champion / Breeders' Cup-winning sprinter and sire of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch. 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, 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.[33]
Kiri's Clown (1989 stallion) – Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for 1+1⁄2 miles at Saratoga.[23] Retired from stud in 2006, passed 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.[34]
Key Contender (1988 stallion) – Winner of 1995 Suburban Handicap with over 50 starts. Sired stakes winner Weathered. Died in July 2012 due to colic.[35]
Popcorn Deelites (1998, gelding) – Low level claimer turned animal actor, performed the title role in the 2003 film Seabiscuit, joined Old Friends in 2005 and died in 2022.[37]
Precisionist – Won 1985 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter, Hall of Fame inductee. Euthanized in 2006 due to cancerous tumors.
Prized – Winner of 1989 Breeders' Cup Turf in his first start on a grass course. Died in 2014 at age 28.
Sarava (1999, stallion) – Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes in the biggest upset in the race's history. Retired from stud in 2012.[38]
Thunder Rumble, the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Travers Stakes.[41] Died of complications from colic in January 2015 at age 26.[42]
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.[45] Died in May 2018 due to a diaphragmatic hernia.[26]
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.[46]
War Emblem (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.[47] Died in March 2020 at age 21.
Winston (1993, gelding) – miniature horse, former resident Thoroughbred companion at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Retired to Old Friends[50] and died on May 2, 2018, just before his 25th birthday, due to an abdominal infection.[51]
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.
Glacial Princess – Two-time Ohio Horse of the Year (1985, 1986) who broke down during the 1987 Ballerina Stakes; re-interred after resting place Beulah Park was scheduled for development. The Glacial Princess Stakes is run at Mahoning Valley in her honor.[54]
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, 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.[55]
In 2015, Kentucky Downs 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 who had previously won a Gr.III race in Europe.[56]
The second running in 2016 was won by Flatlined, a son of Flatter who would go on to become a graded stakes winner.[57]
The third running in 2017 was won by Sir Dudley Digges, a son of Gio Ponti who most notably took the 2016 Queen's Plate in an upset. The win was his first since the Queen's Plate.[58]
