Old Friends Equine

Old Friends is a nonprofit equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. It is the only thoroughbred retirement facility in the United States that accepts stallions.

The facility was inspired by the death of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, and created in 2002 by Michael Blowen who runs it almost entirely from donations.^[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]

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]
• Awad - Winner of 1993 Secretariat Stakes and 1995 Arlington Million ^[4]
• Bonnie's Poker - Dam of Silver Charm ^[5]
• Bull Inthe Heather - Winner of 1993 Florida Derby ^[6]
• Commentator - New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008)^[7]
• Creator - Winner of 1990 Prix Ganay ^[8]
• Fortunate Prospect - Winner of 1984 San Vincente Stakes, sire of 537 winners ^[9]
• Futural - Winner of 2001 Mervyn Leroy Handicap and San Bernardino Handicap ^[10]
• I'm Charismatic - Son of Charismatic^[11]
• Kiri's Clown - Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for 1.5 miles at Saratoga ^[12]
• Kudos - Winner of 2001 Oaklawn Handicap ^[13]
• Ogygian - Winner of 1985 Belmont Futurity, 1986 Riva Ridge Stakes, 1986 Dwyer Stakes and 1986 Jerome Handicap^[14]
• Popcorn Deelites - Professional actor, performed the title role in Seabiscuit, Winner of 11 races^[15]
• Sarava - Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes^[16]
• Special Ring - Winner of 2003 and 2004 Eddie Read Handicap ^[17]
• Thornfield - 1999 Canadian Horse of the Year^[18]
• Wallenda - Winner of 1993 Super Derby^[19]

Notable residents in New York

• Thunder Rumble, the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Grade I Travers Stakes.^[20]

Former residents

• Ballindaggin - Winner of 1988 Molson Export Challenge. Euthanized on July 22, 2008.^[12]
• Flying Pidgeon - Winner of 1986 Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap. Euthanized on December 4, 2008.^[21]
• Ruhlmann - Winner of 1990 Santa Anita Handicap. Died December 24, 2008.^[22]
• The Wicked North - 1994 Eclipse Award winner. Euthanized March 2011.^[23]
• Sunshine Forever - Champion Turf Horse of 1988, Winner of 1988 Budweiser International, Turf Classic, and Man o' War Stakes. Died January 7, 2014.^[24]
• Williamstown - former mile record holder at Belmont^[25] He was euthanized February 25, 2015 due to complications from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.^[26]

External links

• Old Friends Official Home Page
• Old Friends Equine at MYSpace
• Old Friends Equine at facebook
• Old Friends Featured On The Cover and Inside Stride Magazine
• Online article with video - "Is Michael Blowen Crazy?

References