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 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.
The facility was created in 2003 by former 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.
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.
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, Tour of the Cat, 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.
In January 2016, a fire destroyed the organization's hospital/quarantine barn. Forunately, no horses or people were harmed. Plans are underway to rebuild a new fire-safe barn, aided by donations and fundraising activities.
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.
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.
Residents at the main farm in Kentucky range from Classic winners to claimers. They include:
Affirmed Success (gelding, born 1994) - Winner of 1998 Forego Handicap and Vosburgh Stakes, 1999 Cigar Mile Handicap, 2002 Carter Handicap, retired to Old Friends in 2007 after a stint at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Alphabet Soup (1991, stallion) - Winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic. Retired to Old Friends in 2015 after standing at Adena Springs.
Amazombie (2006, gelding) - Won 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter.
Catlaunch (2001, gelding) - Started over 100 times, earning over $1 million at smaller tracks in the midwest
Commentator (gelding, 2001) - Two time Whitney Handicap winner and New York Horse of the Year (2007, 2008).
Eldaafer (2005, gelding) - Winner of 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 with his goats, Yahoo and Google
Futural (1996, gelding) - Winner of 2001 Mervyn Leroy Handicap and San Bernardino Handicap, joined Old Friends in 2006.
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.
Genuine Reward (1993, stallion) - One of only two living foals produced by Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk, he never raced. Was serving as a sire of polo ponies before being relocated to Old Friends in 2015.
I'm Charismatic (2001gelding) - 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.
Kudos (1997 gelding) - Winner of 2001 Oaklawn Handicap.
Little Mike (2007 gelding) Winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Little Silver Charm (?) - Miniature horse and Old Friends' official spokeshorse. The only non-Thoroughbred horse at Dream Chase Farm. "Author" of A Charmed Life as told to Diane White, published in 2016, the story of life at Old Friends.
Popcorn Deelites (1998 gelding) - Low level claimer turned animal actor, performed the title role in Seabiscuit, joined Old Friends in 2005.
Rail Trip (2005 gelding) - Won Hollywood Gold Cup and over $1.5 million, joined Old Friends in 2014.
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.
Sarava (1999 stallion) - Winner of 2002 Belmont Stakes in the biggest upset in the race's history. Retired from stud in 2012.
Silver Charm (1994 stallion) - Winner of 1997 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and 1998 Dubai World Cup. Hall of Fame inductee. Retired to Old Friends in 2014 after standing in Japan.
Special Ring (1997 gelding) - Winner of 2003 and 2004 Grade 1 Eddie Read Handicap, joined Old Friends in 2005.
Tinner's Way (1990 stallion) - Two time winner of the Pacific Classic, Secretariat's last born son. Retired in 2010 after standing at Stud in Kentucky, California and Texas.
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 Spings.
War Emblem (1999, stallion until 2015, now a gelding) - 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.
Thunder Rumble (deceased), the first New York-bred horse in 125 years to win the Travers Stakes.
Will's Way, 1996 Travers Stakes winner.
Zippy Chippy, modern American record holder for the most losses —-"racing's most lovable loser"
Ball Four (2001 gelding) - Won Kentucky Cup Classic, set two track records
Sgt. Bert (2001 gelding) - Two time winner of the Woodford Stakes, setting a track record
Thornfield (1994 gelding) - Won Canadian International, 1999 Canadian Horse of the Year
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.
Awad - Winner of 1993 Secretariat Stakes and 1995 Arlington Million. Died in 2011.
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.
Ballindaggin - Winner of 1988 Molson Export Challenge. Euthanized on July 22, 2008.
Black Tie Affair - Winner of 1991 Breeders' Cup Classic and Horse of the Year. Died in 2010 after a battle with cancer and arthritis.
Bonnie's Poker - Dam of Hall of Fame Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Silver Charm. Died at age 28 in 2010.
Bull Inthe Heather - Son of Ferdinand, winner of 1993 Florida Derby. Euthanized in 2014 due to ongoing physical infirmities.
Creator (1986 stallion) - Winner of 1990 Prix Ganay. 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.
Fortunate Prospect - Winner of 1984 San Vincente Stakes, sire of 537 winners Died at age 32 in 2012.
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.
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.
Kiri's Clown (1989 stallion) - Winner of 1995 Sword Dancer Invitational, track record holder for 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga. Retired from stud in 2006, passed 2014 due to complications from colic surgery.
Ogygian (1983 stallion) - Winner of 1985 Belmont Futurity, 1986 Riva Ridge Stakes, 1986 Dwyer Stakes and 1986 Jerome Handicap Ogygian was euthanized at the age of 32 due to colic complications. At the time of his death, he was the oldest resident at Old Friends.
Ruhlmann - Winner of 1990 Santa Anita Handicap. Died December 24, 2008.
The Wicked North - Won three Grade 1 races, 1994 Eclipse Award winner for Champion Older Horse. Euthanized March 2011.
Precisionist - Won 1995 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.
Sunshine Forever - Winner of 1988 Budweiser International, Turf Classic, and Man o' War Stakes, Champion Turf Horse. Died January 7, 2014.
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.
Williamstown - former mile record holder at Belmont. He was euthanized February 25, 2015 due to complications from equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
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.
