Tag Archives: Kentucky Derby Museum

Uncategorized

Winston, Kentucky Derby Museum Ambassador and Old Friends Retiree, Dies at 24

Leave a comment

Photo: Mary Greene.

GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 2, 2018 – Winston, the miniature horse that long resided at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, has died.

In February of 2018, Winston announced his retirement from the museum and promptly joined Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY., where he would continue to greet visitors and fans.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the sad announcement of Winston’s unexpected passing.

According to Dr. Bryan Waldridge of Park Equine Hospital in Woodford County, where the mini horse was sent after exhibiting symptoms, Winston’s sudden death was caused by an infection in his abdominal cavity.

Winston would have turned 25 on May 4.

Winston took up residence at the Kentucky Derby Museum, located at Louisville’s Churchill Downs racecourse, as a two-year-old in the fall of 1995. He was donated to the Museum by Norma Aubrey of Posh Petites, Paints & Appaloosa Miniature Horses in Shelbyville, and he spent his tenure at the museum as a companion to more than 30 visiting Thoroughbreds, including Derby contenders Perfect Drift, Phantom on Tour, and Twinspired, as well as Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird.

As part of his Derby Museum ambassadorship, Winston had thrown out the first pitch at a Louisville Bats game, helped Churchill Downs pick the Derby winner ahead of the race, supported many charitable organizations around town, and performed more than 10 marriage proposals with his “Will You Marry Me?” blanket.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of Winston’s sudden passing,” said Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum. “He was such a wonderful ambassador for the Museum, bringing happiness to thousands of visitors for 22 years. He will always be a part of the Museum’s story, and he will always have a special place in our hearts.”

“This has been so devastating to everyone at the farm,” said Old Friends’s Blowen. “We were so proud when the Museum chose Old Friends for Winston when his career there ended, and we were so looking forward to spending many more years with him. He was a joy to be around.

“We’d like to thank Dr. Claire Latimer for her expertise with his Winston’s ongoing eye problems and Dr. Scott Fleming for his podiatry work that helped make the little horse more comfortable in recent weeks,” Blowen added. “And of course Dr. Waldrige and the vets at Park Equine who cared for him in his final days.”

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for over 175 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Community/Charity, Racing

Old Friends Museum Membership Exchange

Leave a comment

GEORGETOWN, KY – March 27, 2017 – On April 1, 2017, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, will enter into a membership share campaign with the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, KY and The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY.

With this unique trade, paid members of both museums will earn free tour admission to Old Friends using their membership cards, and Old Friends members will earn free general admission to both museums.

For this campaign visitors to each venue must have their membership card available.  The promotion is for general museum admission only or one of the daily tours offered at Old Friends (reservations are required).  The promotion is valid until December 31, 2017.

Old Friends is a non-profit organization that cares for more than 170 retired Thoroughbreds. Visitors to the farm take a 90-minute, up-close-and-personal walking tour to meet such luminaries of the turf as Kentucky Derby winners Silver Charm and War Emblem, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, and Belmont Stakes winners Sarava and Touch Gold, among others.

Tours are offered three times daily and can be booked online at www.oldfriendsequine.org. Membership applications are also available via the Old Friends website, or by calling (502) 863-1775. Members receive a free gift, free Old Friends tour admission, and discounted tickets to the annual “Homecoming” event in May.

“This is an incredible opportunity for not just racing fans but all visitors to the Bluegrass,” said Old Friends President and founder, Michael Blowen. “We have always considered Old Friends to be a ‘living history’ museum, showcasing our champions and racehorse aftercare, so working with the Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Derby Museum was just such a natural partnership.”

The Kentucky Derby Museum is located at 704 Central Avenue in Louisville, KY, right next to Churchill Downs Racetrack. The museum is one of the premiere attractions in the region, celebrating the tradition and history of the Kentucky Derby. In addition to its two floors of family-friendly, interactive exhibits, the museum also offers 30-minute historic walking tours of Churchill Downs Racetrack, “The Great Race”, an 18-minute movie that puts you right into the heart of Derby day, as well as a gift shop, and Derby Café.

The Kentucky Derby Museum offers several options for membership, each of which aid the 501 (c) (3) non-profit to promote the museum’s mission. Member perks include complimentary guest passes, Churchill Downs seating options, discounts in the Derby Café and Gift Shop, invitations to exhibit openings as well as Membership Mornings — informative and entertaining presentations and events–and much more.

For more information on membership, contact Carla Grego, (502) 992-5905, cgrego@derbymuseum.org, or visit the website at DerbyMuseum.org.

“We are excited to be a part of this great partnership,” said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. “Members will receive three unique experiences, all celebrating the history and impact of the Thoroughbred racing industry. We look forward to welcoming the members of Old Friends and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame to take in all we offer at the Kentucky Derby Museum.”

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is located at 191 Union Ave. in Saratoga Springs, NY, right across from the historic Saratoga Race Course. The museum fosters education and understanding of Thoroughbred racing by providing public access to equine art, artifacts, memorabilia, film, video, books, and historical archives. In addition, the museum is the Official National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame honoring horses, trainers, jockeys, and Pillars of the Turf.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame also offers numerous membership options, from Individuals to Benefactor. Members actively play a part in preserving the history and legends of racing while receiving access to special members-only events, quarterly newsletters, and tour and gift-shop discounts.

For more information on membership, call (518) 584-0400, ext. 109, email nmrmembers@racingmuseum.net, or visit the website at www.racingmuseum.org.

“The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is pleased to work with Old Friends and the Kentucky Derby Museum on this reciprocal membership program,” said Brien Bouyea, Director of Communications for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “It will be wonderful for museum members to have the opportunity to visit all venues as part of their membership perks. This is a win-win for everyone when great organizations work together like this.”

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 170 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (502) 863-1775, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Brien Bouyea, (518) 584-0400, ext.133, nmrmedia@racingmuseum.net; or Carla Grego, (502) 992-5905, cgrego@derbymuseum.org