Old Friends

As soon as Bev Passerello retired as a riding instructor, she and her husband John sold their home in California, bought an RV and traveled the country. At some point along the way, they ended up in Louisville on the first Saturday in May. "After I saw the Kentucky Derby for the first time, every trip back and forth across the United States went through Kentucky," Bev said. "John finally said, 'I give up, it looks like we're going to move to Kentucky.'" So they parked their motor home in...

Former Adena Springs stallions Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew have been transferred to the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm, according to a press release sent from Old Friends Friday afternoon. The announcement follows on the heels of the relocation from Adena Springs of three sires announced last Saturday--Awesome Again's Ghostzapper, Mucho Macho Man, and Point of Entry--who were moved to Hill 'n' Dale Farm's new Xalapa facility to stand at stud. Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew were pensioned from stud duty in 2019. Awesome Again, now 27, retired after an...

Five-time Grade I winner Einstein (Brz) (Spend a Buck--Gay Charm {Brz}, by Ghadeer {Fr}) was euthanized at Park Equine Hospital Wednesday due to complications from cancer. He had been pensioned at Old Friends since 2019. Trained by Helen Pitts, Einstein captured the 2009 GI Santa Anita H. and four Grade I stakes on turf. In all Einstein made 27 starts, winning 11 races. He won or placed in 13 stakes, all of which were graded, and his career earnings totaled $2,703,324. Einstein retired from racing in 2010 to stand at...

Old Friends, the non-profit organization that cares for over 200 retired racehorses near Georgetown, Ky., has formed a unique arrangement with Georgetown's new Ashton Grove Senior Living Community, which is located a few miles from the Old Friends property. Equine retirees from Old Friends will live at Ashton Grove, which is positioned on approximately 40 acres of former Hill 'n' Dale Farm land. Ashton Grove has eight fenced paddocks, a 12-stall barn, and run-in sheds under construction. Old Friends hosted a grand opening of the new location Friday. "This is...

Tony Chamblin, a longtime horse racing industry executive and ambassador for the industry, passed away peacefully Sunday at his home in Lexington, Ky. He was 81. Chamblin played an instrumental role in the passage of the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 and the Pari-Mutual Licensing Simplification Act of 1988, and later became an early supporter of federal legislation intended to align U.S. equine medication policies with International standards. He served in a number of executive capacities during his nearly 50-year career in the horse racing industry As chief executive...

Group winner Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon-Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)), a half-sister to three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova, and Mystery Trip (Belong to Me-Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat), a half-sister to Classic winners A.P. Indy and Summer Squall, have been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY. Represented by Alex Solis II and Jason Litt of Solis/Litt Bloodstock, the Roth family--Larry, Nanci, and Jaime-the owners of LNJ Foxwoods approached Old Friends about securing aftercare options for several broodmares. LNJ has donated the construction...

Birdstone (Grindstone--Dear Birdie, by Storm Bird), who sired the winners of two-thirds of the 2009 Triple Crown with runners from his first crop to race, has been retired from stud duties at Gainesway. He will live out his days at Old Friends Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY. Bred by the late Marylou Whitney and trained by Nick Zito, the year-older half-brother to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town (Cape Town) won two of his three starts as a juvenile, including a 2 1/2-length success in the GI Champagne S. Eighth...

Old Friends is launching an online auction series that will feature pieces from a private collection of racing memorabilia.  The auction series is a collaboration between Old Friends and the estate of Julie Albright, a longtime racing supporter and collector, and will be highlighted by original saddle cloths, collectible stallion halters, horse shoes, tickets, programs and much more from some of America's most accomplished equine athletes. A portion of the sale proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization. The first in the series of online auctions will launch Aug. 30 at...

Breeders' Cup and Maker's Mark have announced the 2020 limited edition Maker's Mark bottle from the Charity for Champions program which will honor former Keeneland and Breeders' Cup president James E. 'Ted' Bassett. The Charity for Champions program began in 2015, with the goal of helping to raise money for Thoroughbred industry charities. Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, has been named as one of the official charity beneficiaries. Old Friends is home to former Breeders' Cup champions Alphabet Soup, Eldaafer, Little Mike and Amazombie. Old Friends cares...

Grade I winner Dinard (Strawberry Road {Aus}--Daring Bidder, by Bold Bidder) was euthanized at Old friends due to the infirmities of old age. The 32-year-old had been pensioned at Old Friends since 2010. Bred and campaigned by Allen E. Paulson and trained by Richard Lundy, Dinard captured the 1991 GI Santa Anita Derby and GII San Rafael S. He retired in 1992 with eight starts, four wins and earnings of $590,250. After retirement, Paulson sent the gelded Dinard to the Kentucky Horse Park with hopes he could be retrained for...

Beginning Monday, June 15, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, will reopen to tourists on a limited basis and with COVID-19 protocols in place, the organization announced Monday. In light of the spread of the virus, Old Friends shut down their daily walking tours Mar. 15, but it has opted to reopen to private groups (five people or fewer) while observing the protocols mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Public Health. Guided tours are generally 90 minutes and will feature select Old Friends residents, including Kentucky...

The Thoroughbred Charities of America will host an online auction of halters worn by Triple Crown and Kentucky Derby winners during the upcoming virtual "Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown." The halter auction is set to open Friday at 9 a.m. and will conclude Saturday at 9 p.m. EST. All proceeds will benefit TCA. "As the 13 Triple Crown winners face off in the virtual running of the Derby, we are excited to offer halters worn by the only two living Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, as well as...