Old Friends along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Louisville’s Historic Seelbach Hotel to Host 3rd Annual Old Friends Benefit Saturday, February 19, 2011

LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 18, 2011 – The Historic Seelbach Hilton today announced that it will host the third annual “Old Friends along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” a progressive dinner and Bourbon-tasting that will benefit Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Central Kentucky.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, at the hotel, 500 South Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. Tickets are $100 per person, and the hotel is offering Bourbon Trail guests a special reduced room rate of $95 per night.

The benefit will be highlighted by live and silent auctions of exclusive equine artwork, autographed Bourbon items, racing memorabilia, fine jewelry, and more.

Old Friends, which has locations in Georgetown, KY and in Greenfield Center, NY, is devoted to providing a dignified retirement to horses whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. The farm is home to such retired champions as Eclipse winner The Wicked North, Breeders’ Cup victor Gulch, and Travers stars Will’s Way and Thunder Rumble, along with many non-black type ex-racers.

“The Seelbach is pleased to be hosting this benefit for the third year,” said Events Coordinator Melissa Getz. “Old Friends is such a worthy cause and this unique night of fund-raising has become one of Louisville’s premiere events.”

“This is the perfect Kentucky experience,” said Old Friends President and Founder Michael Blowen, “It brings together our signature industries, horses and Bourbon, and all at a world-class venue. We are very grateful to both the Seelbach and the Kentucky Distillers Association for their support.”

On arrival, guests will receive a gift tote from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, whose world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour features six of the state’s legendary distilleries.

The night begins in The Seelbach’s famous Rathskeller, the only surviving Rookwood-Pottery room in the world. There, Bourbon-inspired appetizers will be served and Kentucky’s celebrated Master Distillers will serve samples of the Commonwealth’s finest brands, including Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, Heaven Hill Bulleit, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, and Wild Turkey

Guests will then proceed to the hotel’s Five Diamond, Triple AAA-Awarded Oakroom for a two-course dinner created by the Seelbach’s Chef de Cuisine Bobby Benjamin.  This year’s featured menu:

First Course

THE ARTISAN

Greg’s Grateful Greens, Colonel Newsom’s Aged Country Ham

Capriole Farm Pipers Pyramid Goat Cheese

Sweet Potato, Fig Vincotto, Bourbon Mustard

Second Course

WAGYU SHORT RIB

Horseradish Potato Puree, Pickled Radish

Bourbon Glazed Farm Carrots, Bourbon Pecan Gastrique

Guest will then return to the Rathskeller for a wonderful assortment of candies and desserts.

Old Friends President and Founder Michael Blowen, KDA President Eric Gregory, and the Seelbach’s celebrity historian Larry Johnson will all be on-hand to meet with guests.

In addition to the special reduced room rate there will be an after-hours party in The Old Seelbach Bar featuring the music of Dick Sisto until 11pm. Sunday brunch at will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $29 per person.

Tickets to the “Old Friends along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail” are $100 and reservations can be made by calling Melissa Getz at the Seelbach at (502) 585-9292.

The Historic Seelbach Hilton is a four-star diamond luxury hotel located in the heart of Louisville, KY. Built in 1905, the hotel appears on the National Register of Historic Places and it is considered a landmark to “the golden era.” For more information see www.seelbachhilton.com.

For more information about Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour call the KDA at (502) 875-9351 or visit them online at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 100 retired racehorses.  With locations in Georgetown, KY and in Greenfield Center, NY, Old Friends is open to visitors daily by appointment. For more information on tours, reservations at the Old Friends B&B, or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Seelbach Hilton

Melissa Getz

Melissa.getz@ihrco.com

(502) 585-9292

Old Friends

Cynthia Grisolia

cagrisolia@yahoo.com

(347) 423-7322

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour

Eric Gregory

enjoy@kybourbon.com

(502) 875-9351

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