- Old Friends Equine
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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]
Contents
Notable residents in Kentucky
- Affirmed Success - Winner of 1998 Forego Handicap and Vosburgh Stakes, 1999 Cigar Mile Handicap, 2002 Carter Handicap, 9 stakes wins
- Awad - Winner of 1993 Secretariat Stakes and 1995 Arlington Million [3]
- Bonnie's Poker - Dam of Silver Charm [4]
- Bull Inthe Heather - Winner of 1993 Florida Derby [5]
- Commentator - New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008)[6]
- Creator - Winner of 1990 Prix Ganay [7]
- Fortunate Prospect - Winner of 1984 San Vincente Stakes, sire of 537 winners [8]
- Futural - Winner of 2001 Mervyn Leroy Handicap and San Bernardino Handicap [9]
- Kiri's Clown - Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for 1.5 miles at Saratoga [10]
- Kudos - Winner of 2001 Oaklawn Handicap [11]
- Ogygian - Winner of 1985 Belmont Futurity, 1986 Riva Ridge Stakes, 1986 Dwyer Stakes and 1986 Jerome Handicap[12]
- Popcorn Deelites - Professional actor, performed the title role in Seabiscuit, Winner of 11 races[13]
- Special Ring - Winner of 2003 and 2004 Eddie Read Handicap [14]
- Sunshine Forever - Champion Turf Horse of 1988, Winner of 1988 Budweiser International, Turf Classic, and Man o' War Stakes [15]
- Thornfield - 1999 Canadian Horse of the Year
- Wallenda - Winner of 1993 Super Derby[16]
- Williamstown - former mile record holder at Belmont[17]
Notable residents in New York
- Thunder Rumble, the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Grade I Travers Stakes.[18]
Former Residents
- Ballindaggin - Winner of 1988 Molson Export Challenge. Euthanized on July 22, 2008.[10]
- Flying Pidgeon - Winner of 1986 Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap. Euthanized on December 4, 2008.[19]
- Ruhlmann - Winner of 1990 Santa Anita Handicap. Died December 24, 2008.[20]
- The Wicked North - 1994 Eclipse Award winner. Euthanized March 2011.[21]
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
- ^ Old Derby champs rescued by horse retirement farm | ajc.com
- ^ Int’l Fund for Horses - December 8, 2009
- ^ Taylor's Special Euthanized; Awad to Join Old Friends Roster| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Bonnie's Poker, dam of Silver Charm, joins Old Friends - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Old Friends Finding Company Outside Horse Industry| bloodhorse.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ Old Friends welcomes Sunshine Forever, Creator - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Old Friends acquires pensioned Farnsworth stallion Fortunate Prospect - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Futural Retired to Old Friends| bloodhorse.com
- ^ a b Old Friends adds Kiri's Clown and Ballindaggin - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Futural Retired to Old Friends| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Fraise, Ogygian Arrive at Old Friends| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Seabiscuit Horse To Be Featured at Keeneland| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Fraise, Special Ring join Old Friends - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Old Friends welcomes Sunshine Forever, Creator - Thoroughbred Times
- ^ Old Friends Welcomes Super Derby Winner Wallenda| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Old Friends Welcomes Williamstown| bloodhorse.com
- ^ Bloodhorse.com - December 2, 2009
- ^ Old Friends Equine: A Retirement Home for Thoroughbred Race Horses Flying Pidgeon biography
- ^ Ruhlmann Arrives at Old Friends| bloodhorse.com
- ^ http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/03/24/the-wicked-north-euthanized.aspx
Categories:- Charities based in the United States
- Horse racing in the United States
- Equestrian organizations
- Animal welfare organizations in the United States
- Horse welfare organizations
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