Old Friends

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...

Old Friends, the popular Thoroughbred retirement facility located in Georgetown, KY, debuted the first in a series of virtual farm tours Monday that will allow visitors to continue to monitor the activity of the farm's over 100 equine retirees during this time of the COVID-19 quarantine. "Monday Mornings With Michael," is, as the title implies, hosted by Old Friends founder Michael Blowen and will feature brief visits with a handful of horses each week. Old Friends is posting the clips across its social media channels and also at the Old...

Michael Blowen, founder and President of Old Friends, released the findings of the necropsy report regarding the recent passing of dual Classic winner War Emblem. The 21-year-old was found deceased at Old Friends Mar. 11 after what was initially perceived to be a fatal paddock accident. A full medical report was pending at that time. The following statement was issued by Old Friends resident veterinarian, Dr. Bryan Waldridge of Park Equine Hospital in Versailles, KY: "After War Emblem's sudden death, a complete necropsy was performed at the University of Kentucky...

Old Friends elected owner/breeder Susan Chu to its Board of Directors Mar. 9. Chu and her husband have campaigned the likes of champion Drefong (Gio Ponti) and MGISW Bast (Uncle Mo) under the Baoma Corp. banner. "I am honored to be able to participate in such a worthwhile organization," said Chu. "Old Friends contributes so much to the welfare of these incredible retired Thoroughbreds." Chu will join current Old Friends board members: President Michael Blowen, Vice President Bill Vandendool, Chairman Cynthia Grisolia, Secretary Barbara Fossum, Treasurer Mark Otto, and voting...

Multiple graded stakes winner Pollard's Vision (Carson City - Etats Unis, by Dixieland Band) has been retired to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. The 19-year-old stallion arrived from Mighty Acres in Pryor, Oklahoma, where he had stood since 2015. Bred by Charles A. Smith, Pollard's Vision was campaigned by Edgewood Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher. He earned a spot in the 2004 GI Kentucky Derby with a win in the GII Illinois Derby. Only 17th on the First Saturday in May, the dark bay returned to capture...

War Emblem (Our Emblem-Sweetest Lady, by Lord at War), winner of the 2002 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. died early Wednesday morning at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Kentucky. Pensioned at Old Friends since 2015, he was 21. While the cause of death is thought to be the result of a paddock accident, exact details are unknown. However, results from a necropsy report are expected to be forthcoming. In 2015 Old Friends re-repatriated War Emblem from the Yoshida family's Shadai Stallion Farm in Japan. He was...

Cajun Beat (Grand Slam--Beckys Shirt, by Cure the Blues), the 2003 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, has died. The 20-year-old gelding had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, Kentucky, since 2016. Details of Cajun Beat's death are pending following a full necropsy. "He was a lovely horse, a real champion," said co-owner Satish Sanan of Padua Stables. "With all of the horses we've had, he was one of our favorites--he was my wife's favorite. He didn't show much talent until we gelded him, and...

Peggy Gdovka was elected to the Board of Directors of Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Facility Dec. 4. She will begin her term immediately. Currently the Sr. Director of Corporate Partnerships & Licensing/Merchandising for Breeders' Cup Ltd., she previously served a stint in Keeneland's sales department. "I could not be more pleased for the invitation to sit on the Board of Old Friends," said Gdovka, who grew up in Woodford County. "When I look at the amount of past Breeders' Cup participants and champions that have benefited from Old...