Tag Archives: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Grade 1 Winner Game On Dude Nominated to National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Game On Dude at Old Friends (Photo: Rick Capone)

GEORGETOWN, KY – MARCH 2, 2020 — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced its nominees for induction in the class of 2020. Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, is proud to announce multiple-graded-stakes winner and racing superstar Game On Dude was among the equine nominees.

The 13-year-old gelded son of Awesome Again – Worldly Pleasure by Devil His Due retired to Old Friends in 2014 following one of the most prestigious campaigns in racing history, and has been a star attraction on the farm, which is open to the public daily.

Game On Dude is turned out with 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Little Mike in what the farm often refers to as the $10 million paddock.

Campaigned by trainer Bob Baffert and owned by a partnership that includes Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride, the Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable, and Bernie Schiappa, Game On Dude holds the distinction of being the only horse to ever capture three runnings of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. In his final Big ‘Cap victory, in 2014, he covered the 1-1/4 mile distance in stakes record time of 1:58.17.

In addition, Game On Dude is only the second horse in history to sweep California’s three Grade 1 handicaps — the Santa Anita Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Pacific Classic — in the same year.

In his 34 career starts Game On Dude captured 16 wins, eight of them Grade 1 stakes and 14 graded stakes in all. His career earnings are just under $6.5 million.

“Everyone at Old Friends is thrilled by this well-deserved honor bestowed on the irresistible Dude,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “We think he’s a worthy Hall of Famer and has earned the distinction. Thanks to the Hall of Fame nominating committee for appreciating all that Game On Dude has done for our great sport.”

The 2020 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Friday, August 7, at 10:30 am. The event is free and open to the public (seating is limited).

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

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

Old Friends Museum Membership Exchange

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

Old Friends, The National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, and Nick Ryan’s Saloon to Present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends”

GEORGETOWN, KY – OCTOBER 6, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, has partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Lexington’s Nick Ryan’s Saloon to proudly present “Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends” on Monday October 17, 2011.

The event will kick off at 3pm at Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, with an observance for the three great Thoroughbred Champions who have been laid to rest at the farm’s official Hall of Fame Cemetery: Skip Away, Noor, and Precisionist.

The afternoon will be highlighted by tours of the farm and visits with many of the stars of the turf now retired at Old Friends.

Hall of Fame Day continues with an evening soiree (6pm) at Nick Ryan’s Saloon, located at 157 West Jefferson Street in Lexington.

Tickets to Nick Ryan’s are $50 and include a BBQ buffet, drinks, live music, and many special guests; reservations can be made by calling (502) 863-1775.

“We’re flattered that the National Racing Hall of Fame has honored Old Friends by designated us as the official cemetery for Hall of Famer’s whose final resting spots may be in jeopardy,” said Old Friends founder, Michael Blowen. “We’re grateful to Nick Ryan’s for their participation and support and we welcome everyone to the event, especially members of the Hall of Fame.”

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