Tag Archives: Old Friends

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Old Friends Receives Donation from Fasig-Tipton to Create John Hettinger Memorial Barn

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A fire at Old Friends destroyed an 8-stall Hospital Barn. No horses were lost or injured.

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 28, 2016 – On January 24, 2016, fire destroyed a “hospital” barn at the Old Friends farm in Georgetown, KY. Old Friends is a retirement sanctuary for more than 150 Thoroughbreds, including such racetrack heroes as Silver Charm, Sarava, Alphabet Soup, War Emblem and Game On Dude.

Today, Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen announced that Fasig-Tipton, through its subsidiary Blue Horse Charities, has donated $50,000 towards the rebuilding of this structure, which in the future will be known as “The John Hettinger Memorial Barn”.

“Blue Horse Charities was conceived and created by John Hettinger,” noted Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, “during the time of his family’s ownership of the company. We are delighted that Old Friends will name the new barn in John’s honor.”

“John Hettinger’s commitment to caring for Thoroughbreds in retirement was unparalleled,” said Blowen. “I remember many years ago sitting on John’s porch in Saratoga discussing what we needed to do to protect these retired racehorses. I think he would have loved Old Friends as much as we love him. Blue Horse’s $50,000 donation is like hitting the Pick 6 without even buying a ticket!”

Blowen noted that all of the donations received will go to re-building a new, fire-safe hospital barn and also to updating and fire-proofing the larger, main barn on the organization’s property.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 155 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

Racing

Oldest Living Breeders’ Cup Champion Gulch Dead at 32

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Gulch in retirement at Old Friends (Photo by EquiSport)

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 17, 2016 – It is with a heavy heart that Michael Blowen, founder and President of Old Friends, announces today the passing of Gulch. The 1988 Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion and Eclipse Award winner was euthanized this morning due to complications from cancer.

At 32, Gulch was the oldest living Breeders’ Cup Champion.

A son of Mr. Prospector out of the Rambunctious mare Jameela, Gulch has been a resident of the Thoroughbred Retirement Center based in Georgetown, KY since 2009 and was one of the farm’s flagship stallions, attracting visitors and fans from all around the country.

As both a runner and a sire, Gulch blazed an unforgettable trail. Bred by Peter Brant in Kentucky, Gulch became a Grade 1 winner as a two-year-old when he captured the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. At three he won the GR 1 Wood Memorial and the first of his two consecutive wins in the GR1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

As a four-year-old, Gulch captured the GR3 Potrero Grande Handicap and the GR1 Carter Handicap en route to his final start and greatest victory in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Sprint for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. For his efforts Gulch was named 1988 Eclipse Champion Sprinter.

The stallion retired with 13 wins from 32 starts and earnings of $3,095,521.

Gulch continued his career success as a sire at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, KY.

His most notable offspring is 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Thunder Gulch. Other Grade 1 winners include Court Vision, Great Navigator, The Cliff’s Edge, and Wallenda, who is also a retiree at Old Friends.

In all, Gulch is represented by 71 stakes winners, 30 of which are grade or group winners, 72 stakes-placed runners and the earners of $80 million.

Due to declining fertility, Gulch was pensioned from the breeding shed in 2009 and was later graciously donated to Old Friends by Lane’s End.

At the time, Lane’s End principal Bill Farish noted that the stallion’s popularity with fans influenced the farm’s decision to send him to Old Friends, which is open to tourists daily.

“He was a horse that was well known to the public having been through the Triple Crown trail and having been a top two-year-old and a champion sprinter,” said Farish in a 2009 release. “He was a horse that people always wanted to see. Plus, he’s kind of a ham, and he will enjoy the attention immensely.”

“As Leroy Jolley, who was Gulch’s first trainer, once said, ‘Gulch must be the toughest horse who ever lived,’ and he was,” noted Old Friends’ Blowen. “He was confident, self-possessed and regal. He didn’t demand respect – he earned it. He is irreplaceable.”

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 155 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

Racing

Stakes Winner Flick Euthanized at 24

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Flick at Old Friends (Photo by Rick Capone)

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 8, 2016 – Stakes winner Flick has died. The 24-year-old gelding, who resided at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, was euthanized Friday morning due to complications from colic.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement this morning.

Bred in England by Side Hill Stud, Flick (Kris (GB) – Thakhayr (IRE), Sadler’s Wells) had three starts in England before coming to the U.S. near the end of his 2-year-old season. He made his first start for new owner Judith Carmel at Hollywood Park, placing 5th.

Flick continued beating good horses at major West Coast tracks on both the dirt and the turf. His first stakes win, in fact, came on the grass at Turf Paradise in the one-mile Paradise Mile Handicap in 1997.

The following year he captured his greatest career victory, the Wicked North Handicap at Santa Anita. That same year he placed in the Grade 2 Mervyn LeRoy and the Grade 2 San Pasqual.

In 2000, at the age of 8, Flick tore a suspensory ligament and became one of the first Thoroughbreds to successfully undergo autologous stem cell and bone marrow treatments. He returned to the track and continued racing until he was 10, making his final start at Santa Anita in 2002.

In his 51 lifetime starts Flick had 8 wins and career earnings of $515,738.

“He was all heart every time he went to the track, and he always went to win,” said Ms Carmel from her home in California. “He was everything you wanted a horse to be and he was always my favorite.”

Carmel made an attempt to retrain Flick for a second career but “he was just a racehorse at heart,” she said. “He didn’t enjoy it.” Carmel donated Flick to Old Friends in January of 2009.

“Our consulting vet Dr. Bryan Waldridge did all he could for Flick, who was taken to the Park Equine Clinic in Versailles on Tuesday,” said Old Friends’ Blowen. “But the horse’s health continued to deteriorate and it was decided that we should not prolong his suffering. Bryan was with him until the end,” added Blowen, “and for that we’re very grateful.

“He was a wonderful horse and a favorite among our volunteers and our visitors,” Blowen continued. “We’re also so thankful to Judy Carmel. She’s been a great friend and a great supporter and we’re so glad she let us care for her terrific athlete all these years.”

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 155 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

Auctions, Community/Charity, Racing

“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Continues with “Yankee Fourtune” Chapeau

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Brian Hernandez with Joshlyn, Yankee Fourtune and Jamie Hernandez (Photo by EquiSport)

Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 4, 2015 – The online fashion auction, “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, continues today with a third handcrafted Derby chapeau on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

This new hat was inspired by Old Friends retiree Yankee Fourtune, a graded-stakes winner bred in Kentucky by Brereton Jones.

For the Old Friends campaign, the beautiful chapeau is modeled in accompanying photos and behind-the-scenes video by Jamie Hernandez, her husband, leading jockey Brian Hernandez, and their daughter, Joshlyn. (Jamie’s lovely ensemble is courtesy of Lexington’s Bella Rose boutique.)

For photos and addition information, go to http://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Hat-YankeeFourtune.htm.

For a behind-the-scenes video, go to: https://vimeo.com/150387295.

Bidding on “The Yankee Fourtune” began on January 2nd and will be open for 10 days only, ending on January 12th at 8 pm. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six exclusive Derby hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 155 retired racehorses.

Yankee Fourtune was owned by Harvey A. Clarke and Andrew Albstein, who purchased him for $37,000 at the Keeneland September 2008 yearling sale.

The son of Yankee Gentleman out of the Mi Cielo mare, Madam Ann, Yankee Fourtune was unplaced as a 2-year-old, but went on a winning spree – five straight victories – at three after conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin switched him from dirt to turf. His stakes wins include the GR3 Hawthorne Derby and the GR3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes.

In all, Yankee had 31 career starts, winning nine of them and earning over $390,000.

The “Yankee Fourtune” was fashioned with a flat, wide-brim of silver dupioni silk, which is adorned with a fluid outer layer of ruffled, pale-silver organza.

The hat’s trim is highlighted by a large anemone – a new innovation from Maggie Mae Designs® created especially for Yankee Fourtune – that’s surrounded by a medley of emerald green silk and taffeta leaves. The center of the anemone is a shimmering black-pebble button circled with a ring of softly gathered green tulle and ruched charcoal silk organza.

Long, charcoal colored silk organza “feathers”, a MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® trademark, were then carefully stitched to add a splash of dramatic detail to the floral trim.

As always, a physical remembrance of Yankee Fourtune, several strands of the gelding’s tail hair, were braided and woven into the trim.

Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for 155 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; Maggie Mae Designs (508) 430-1626, sally@maggiemae.com

Products/Services, Racing

The Old Friends “Winter” Tee, Featuring Artwork by Daily Racing Funnies, Now Available on Booster.com

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GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 29, 2015 – In June Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, launched a quarterly Booster campaign offering seasonal T-shirts with artwork by Daily Racing Funnies.

The “Summertime” and “Fall” tee were great successes, and now the “Old Friends Winter Edition T-Shirt” is available via Booster.com, the online crowdfunding site for charitable causes that revolves around selling custom T-shirts directly to supporters.

You can complete your 2015 series with this third shirt, “Winter”, which celebrates the holidays and offers some seasonal cheer: Horses, including Little Silver Charm, wave their “hoof” mittens in the snow, while Buddy the Cat watches from the window.

And this time, the shirts, all with full color designs, are available in various styles, including hoodies.

–Gildan ladies 100% cotton long-sleeve T-shirt, white, $ 25
–Hanes unisex crew-neck sweatshirt, white, $ 35
–Unisex Gildan ultra-cotton T-shirt, white, $ 20
–Ladies, Gildan ultra-cotton T-shirt, white, $20
–Hanes unisex hooded sweatshirt, white, $40

(Prices do not include shipping & handling fees.)

The shirts will be available until January 10, and the goal will be to sell 50 tees and/or sweatshirts. To order, follow this link: https://www.booster.com/old-friends-equine-winter-fundraiser?share=3781450883961542.

Old Friends Inc. will receive 85 percent of the shirt sales and 100 percent of any additional donations made on booster.com. Complete the series and order yours today!

The Lexington, KY-based Daily Racing Funnies has been creating whimsical horse racing-themed comics via its website, including humorous looks at such champions as Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

To learn more about Rick and Marcy (Mel) of Daily Racing Funnies, visit their website at www.dailyracingfunnies.com or join their Fan Page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/drfmel.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for 150 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 or Sylvia Stiller, (502) 863-1775, sylvia@oldfriendsequine.org

Racing

Belmont Stakes Winner Touch Gold Retired to Old Friends

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Touch Gold at Old Friends (Photo by Rick Capone)

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 21, 2015 – Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold, the horse famous for denying Silver Charm the Triple Crown in 1997, has been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement today.

The 21-year-old stallion comes to Old Friends from Adena Springs in Paris, KY., and has been generously donated by Adena owner Frank Stronach along with an endowment. In October, Old Friends also accepted the Stronach-owned Alphabet Soup.

Sired by Deputy Minister out of the Buckpasser mare Passing Mood, Touch Gold began his career in Canada with trainer Daniel J. Vella. He came to United States as a 3-year-old and was campaigned by David Hofmans. In the U.S., Touch Gold won the GR2 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Not entered in the Kentucky Derby, he ran fourth in Preakness Stakes after a troubled trip and a suffering a hoof injury.

In the Belmont, Touch Gold laid Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm’s Triple Crown bid to rest when he went wide and surged ahead to catch the favorite in the closing yards.

Silver Charm was repatriated from Japan in 2014 and is also now pensioned at Old Friends.

Touch Gold went on the capture the GR1 Haskell Invitational before retiring with 15 starts, 6 wins and career earnings of $1,679,907.

As a sire, Touch Gold is well represented by four Grade I winners, including Royal Challenger, who won the Breeders’ Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, and Seek Gold, who won the GR1 Stephen Foster Handicap and is now also retired at Old Friends. His son Medalist is also a multiple-graded-stakes winner.

“It’s amazing to reunite these two great rivals,” said Blowen of Touch Gold and Silver Charm. “We also now have War Emblem and the horse who ended his Triple Crown Bid, Sarava. It’s a great to revisit and recount these wonderful racing stories.

“Our thanks again to Mr Stronach and everyone at Adena Springs for entrusting us with this amazing horse,” Blowen continued. “We hope all of Touch Gold’s fans will come visit him.”

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 155 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

Racing

Old Friends Receives Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accreditation for 2016

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GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 16, 2015 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility located in Georgetown, KY, is proud to announce that it has been renewed for 2016 as a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Accredited site.

To obtain accreditation, Old Friends has undergone a thorough application, inspection, and review process in order to meet the TAA’s code of standards in the categories of operations, education, horse health-care management and facility standards.

The TAA recently announced that it will divide $2.48 million in grants among its 56 accredited aftercare organizations.

This financial assistance will help Old Friends continue to provide a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have ended.

Currently Old Friends cares for more than 155 retired horses in four states, and has two satellite facilities: Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, NY and Old Friends at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, KY.

“We are indebted to the TAA for its continued support and its continued faith in our mission,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “The TAA has helped changed the face of Thoroughbred aftercare in this country and in turn it has helped to enriched the sport of racing. We are very proud to be an accredited site.”

Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 56 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 155 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

7th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Continues with the Mixed Pleasure Chapeau

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Julien Leparoux, Shea Leparoux and baby Mitchell (Photo by EquiSport)

Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 7, 2015 – The online fashion auction “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” continues with a second beautiful Derby chapeau going on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

This new hat pays tribute to Old Friends retiree Mixed Pleasure. Best known as the oldest living descendant of the great Seabiscuit, Mixy passed away at age 30 in October.

The hat crafted in his honor will be showcased by Shea Leparoux, her husband, leading jockey Julien Leparoux, and their baby son, Mitchell, and will be up for bid through December 14th.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six handcrafted Kentucky Derby-style hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 155 retired racehorses. Steinmann’s works of millinery art have raised more than $25,000 for Old Friends.

The Mixed Pleasure chapeau was fashioned as a flat, wide-brim design using chestnut dupioni silk for the foundation. A large Marguerite, sculpted out of several shades of yellow organza, adorns the front of the hat. The center of the Marguerite is a rose curl in royal blue silk organza with a beaded center created out of shimmering royal blue seed beads.

Dozens of long slender blue and yellow silk organza “feathers”, a Maggie Mae Designs® trademark, were carefully stitched, layered and then shaped to cradle the Marguerite. Lastly, a yellow taffeta under brim creates a vibrant, colorful effect when upturned against the wearer’s face.

As a physical remembrance of Mixed Pleasure, several strands of his tail hair were also braided and woven into the trim of the hat.

For additional photos and to read more, click here: http://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Horse-MixedPleasure.htm.

Bidding on the Mixed Pleasure began at 8 pm on December 4th and will be open for 10 days only until 8pm on December 14th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

The photo shoots for each hat, done by EquiSport Photographers Matt and Wendy Wooley, took place this fall at Old Friends and matches Steinmann’s beautiful hats with ensembles from Lexington’s Bella Rose Boutique. For a video of Shea and Julien’s photo shoot, click here: http://vimeo.com/147510596.

Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 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; Maggie Mae Designs (508) 430-1626, sally@maggiemae.com

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Old Friends Update

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War Emblem enjoying a roll – photo © Rick Capone.

From Michael:

These are the perfect days at Old Friends. The slight chill in the air eliminates the flies, the horses love the soft ground and cool temperatures and everyone can take a deep, relaxing breath after all the excitement of the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland and the arrival of War Emblem.

This week also marks the one year anniversary of Silver Charm’s retirement to the farm. There’s not a day that goes by that he doesn’t impress us with his dignified, but friendly, demeanor. I know I’m prejudiced but he’s such an amazing combination of charisma and intelligence.

War Emblem is finally here. He still must satisfy some quarantine requirements so he’s not part of the regular tour just yet. But when the weather’s good, he’s out for several hours. I know that winning the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes must have been a great thrill for Bob and Jill Baffert and all of those associated with this magnificent athlete. But last week, when he finally got out of his stall and into his double-fenced, quarantine paddock, he gave everyone goosebumps. He took a few steps, checked out the run-in shed, sniffed a few poops left by Rapid Redux and Amazombie, jogged around the fence line twice, jogged to the middle, and reared up and roared to the heavens. In my whole life, I have never seen such an exhilarating expression of pure joy. His black coat gleaming, War Emblem declared his presence with confidence and superiority and every horse within earshot stood at attention. What a moment.

I’d like to thank all the people who supported War Emblem’s return by donating toward the numbered Inner Circle certificates signed by Bob Baffert and Victor Espinoza, especially Amy Osborn. We still have some left if anyone is interested in donating to War Emblem’s future. Thanks again to Mr. Yoshida and everyone at Shadai Stallion Station for trusting us with their special horse.

For our War Emblem Inner Circle certificate holders who have been waiting to hear, we have set the date: The “War Emblem Inner Circle” reception will be held on Thursday, April 7th. It’s the opening weekend of Keeneland, so now you have two reasons to come to town.

We’re working on the expansion because we have several deserving retirees on the waiting list. Some, like Touch Gold and Sun King and Ide, are the cream of the crop. But there are others, like Archie’s Echo, who need a place as well.

I hope you will take the opportunity to visit soon. We conduct one tour every day at 11 a.m. during the winter and we’d love to show off all of these invaluable athletes. Thanks again for allowing me to have the time of my life.

The “Mixed Pleasure” Hat

A winning hat inspired by our beloved Mixed Pleasure. This auction ends Dec. 14 at 8PM EST. MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® one-of-a-kind handmade chapeaus have raised over $25,000 for our horses! Sincere thanks to MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® for another lovely hat. Thanks, as always, to Equisport Photos, Bella Rose Boutique AND Shea & Julien Leparoux and baby Mitchell for their continuing support. This auction ends Dec. 14th.

Click here to bid!

A Special Subscription Offer for Supporters of Old Friends

We wanted to share with you this link to the new issue of PONIES 24-7. There is a terrific article by Rick Capone on the retirement of Genuine Reward to Old Friends that we hope you will enjoy.

To read the latest issue of PONIES 24-7, click here: http://www.ponies247.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ponies247-Volume-1-Issue-2.pdf.

The editors and publishers of PONIES 24-7 are now planning the release of its third issue by mid-December, and they would like to offer a ‘special’ subscription deal to our supporters and friends.

For every *subscription to PONIES 24-7 that is received by December 10th, 2015, they will donate $1 from either of our 5 or 10 issue subscription offers, or our Silver or Gold Premium Club Packages, to OLD FRIENDS KENTUCKY!

So you could say it’s a win/win situation; you won’t miss a single issue of PONIES 24-7 and all of its exclusive editorial features, while at the same time helping Old Friends.

*Subscriptions for this offer begin with the third issue of PONIES 24-7. To subscribe, go to www.ponies247.com, and select either our Subscribe Page for magazine only subscriptions, or to the Premium Club page, where either of our Silver or Gold Packages will include the PONIES 24-7 digital magazine, regular handicapping newsletter, and other exclusive content!

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 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: Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Auctions, Community/Charity, Racing

Top Jocks and Their Kids Pose for the 7th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”

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Rosie Napravnik, Joe Sharp, and baby Carson with Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm (Photo by EquiSport)

Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – NOVEMBER 4, 2015 – For the third consecutive year, jockey Rosie Napravnik will model handcrafted, one-of-a-kind Kentucky Derby chapeaus to support the 7th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online fashion auction that raises money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

This seventh season, however, was a family affair. Napravnik posed with her husband, trainer Joe Sharp, and their new baby Carson. Joining them were leading rider Julien Leparoux, who posed with his wife Shea and their son Mitchell, and top jock Brian Hernandez, who posed with his wife Jamie and their daughter Joshlyn.

This is the seventh year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six exclusive Kentucky Derby hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 156 retired racehorses.

To date, this unique fundraiser has earned over $23,000 for Old Friends.

The six couture hats that will go on the block the first of every month between now and the 2016 running of the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

The fashion auction kicked off November 1st with Napravnik and Sharp showcasing the “The Silver Charm,” a design inspired by the 1997 Kentucky Derby Champion who is now retired at Old Friends.

To view the hat, visit http://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Horse-SilverCharm.htm.

Bidding on “The Silver Charm” began at 8 pm on November 1st and will be open for 10 days only, until 8 pm on November 11th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link. Or click this link: http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/hats-current.html.

SilverCharm2The photo shoots for each hat, done by EquiSport Photographers Matt and Wendy Wooley, took place this fall at Old Friends and matches Steinmann’s beautiful hats with ensembles from Lexington’s Bella Rose Boutique.

For a video of the EquiSport photo shoot, visit http://vimeo.com/143786158.

Rosie Napravnik has been one of the most successful and influential women in the Sport of Kings. In 2012 she became the first woman to win the Kentucky Oaks, a feat she repeated in 2014. Napravnik, who retired from riding last year to begin a family with husband Sharp, also sits on the Old Friends Board of Directors.

Eclipse-Awarding winning Julien Leparoux is also one of horseracing’s leading jockeys. The France-born rider has earned titles at Churchill, Keeneland and at Turfway Park. In 2015 he won the Breeders’ Cup Mile aboard Tepin.

Brian Hernandez was an Eclipse Award winning apprentice in 2004. He has over 1,000 wins to his credit, including the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard Fort Larned in 2012.

About Silver Charm

In 1997 Silver Charm won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Gary Stevens. The dual-classic wins helped him capture that year’s Eclipse Award as Champion Three Year Old Male. He went on to win the 1998 Dubai World Cup and, with nearly $7 million in career earnings, he was inducted in Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. After 10 years in Japan, Silver Charm retired to Old Friends in 2014.

About the Silver Charm Hat

The wide-brimmed “Silver Charm” hat features three varying shades of gray and white silk organza at its base. It is adorned with a single rose curl sculpted out of alternating layers of deep yellow dupioni silk and yellow silk organza, which reflect the stallion’s famous racing colors. A fancy charcoal braiding was top stitched to the ruffled-brim edges and along the under brim for a lovely finishing touch, while several free form bow loops, created out of gray veiling, adds just a hint of wispy elegance.

Dozens of long slender gray, white and charcoal silk organza feathers, a Maggie Mae Designs® trademark, were also carefully stitched, layered and shaped to frame the face beautifully when the hat is worn.

For additional information, contact Maggie Mae Designs® at sally@maggiemae.com.

Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

About Old Friends
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for 156 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.