Tag Archives: Thoroughbreds

Top Sire Fortunate Prospect, 31, Euthanized at Old Friends

Fortunate Prospect at Old Friends after celebrating his 31st birthday. Photo by Rick Capone.

GEORGETOWN, KY — MARCH 16, 2012 — Fortunate Prospect, a top sprinter and broodmare sire, was euthanized due to complications of old age on March 15 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY. The son of Northern Prospect out of the Lucky Debonair mare Fortunate Bid was 31.

Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends, where the stallion had been pensioned since 2006, made the announcement this morning.

According to Blowen, Old Friends veterinarian Dr. Doug Byars arrived at the farm within minutes of Fortunate Prospect showing signs of distress and advised euthanasia after a thorough examination.

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“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to The Derby” – An Online Auction of Kentucky Derby Hats Continues with a Chapeau Inspired by Florida Favorite Fortunate Prospect

Proceeds to Benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 31, 2012 – The 3rd Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online auction of exclusive handcrafted Kentucky Derby Hats, continues February 1st with a hat inspired by the great sire Fortunate Prospect.

This is the fourth hat in a series of six magnificent chapeaus to be auctioned by Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY.  Each hat has been custom crafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Old Friends, the 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to the dignified retirement of former racehorses.

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Diamond Stripes Retires at Old Friends

GEORGETOWN, KY — JANUARY 3, 2012 — Diamond Stripes, the 9-year-old son of Notebook, has been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY,

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

Bred in Florida by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rogers Jr, for their Four Roses Thoroughbreds, Diamond Stripes won six of his 16 starts, including three black-type victories. His earnings total $1,479,014.

Diamond Stripes broke his maiden in the 2006 Pegasus Stakes (GR3) and the following year he captured the Meadowlands Cup (GR2). The win earned him entry into that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he finished 8th on an off track.

His greatest victory, however, came in 2008 in Dubai where he triumphed in the $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) under jockey Edgar Prado.

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Ferdinand’s Star Retires to Old Friends

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 19, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, has joined with Lexington’s Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center and CANTER Michigan to permanently retire two Thoroughbreds, Ferdinand’s Star and Mikethespike.

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

Ferdinand’s Star, a son of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand out of the Dare to Command mare Rose and Betty, comes to Old Friends from The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, an equine adoption and rehabilitation facility located at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The 16-year-old gelding is a testament to the versatility of the Thoroughbred as he has run the gamut of careers since making his first start on the racetrack in 1998.

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“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to The Derby” Online Auction of Kentucky Derby Hats Continues with a Chapeau Inspired by Breeders’ Cup Champion Prized

Proceeds to Benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement

GEORGETOWN, KY – NOVEMBER 30, 2011 – “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” a charity auction of fashionable Kentucky Derby Hats, continues December 1st as bidding opens on “The Prized.”

“The Prized” hat is the second chapeau to go on the virtual block in this six-month-long auction, which kicked off November 1st.

Proceeds from this exclusive event benefit Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in central Kentucky, and features beautiful hats handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs.

Each of the six unique designs are inspired by one of the pensioned racehorses at Old Friends, and a new hat will be offered for bid each month leading up to the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, held in 2012 on May 5th at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.

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Vosburgh Winner Fabulous Strike to Old Friends

GEORGETOWN, KY – NOVEMBER 23, 2011 – Fabulous Strike, winner of the 2007 Vosburgh Stakes, has been permanently pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY.

The 8-year-old Pennsylvania bred was retired from racing in September and was donated to Old Friends by his owner and breeder, Walter Downey and his Tea Party Stable.

Fabulous Strike (Smart Strike – Fabulous Find by Lost Code) is a five-time graded stakes winner and was one of the nation’s top sprinters between 2007 and 2009. In addition to the Vosburgh, his victories include the GR1 Aristides Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2007 and the GR2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. in 2009. In all, the gelding captured 15 of his 28 starts and had total career earnings of $1, 448, 399.

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Old Friends Receives Second Grant from ASPCA

Funds to Provide New Paddocks for More Retirees

GEORGETOWN, KY – NOVEMBER 21, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility and 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, has received a second $50,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The announcement was made today by Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen.

In 2009 Old Friends was one of five organizations chosen to participate in the ASPCA’s “Rescuing Racers Initiative,” a $1 million granting opportunity made possible by a generous donor designed to support horses impacted by the racing industry.   Old Friends also received a $50,000 grant in 2010.

The majority of the funds will be used to construct four new paddocks on Old Friends’s Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, KY, allowing the organization to provide safe retirement for even more Thoroughbreds.

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“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to The Derby” Online Auction of Couture Kentucky Derby Hats Returns for Third Year

Proceeds to Benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement

GEORGETOWN, KY – OCTOBER 31, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, is happy to announce the launch of the third annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online auction of exclusive Kentucky Derby hats.

The first of six hats exclusive Derby chapeaus will go on the virtual block November 1st and bidding will be open for 10 days. The first hat will commemorate Hall of Fame Champion Noor.

Interested bidders can visit www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

In the past two years this the six-month-long charity auction, featuring beautiful hats handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinman, has raised nearly $9,000 for the more than 100 retired racehorses cared for by Old Friends.

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Stakes Winner You and I Arrives at Old Friends

GEORGETOWN, KY — OCTOBER 28, 2011 — On Wednesday October 27 Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, happily welcomed GR1-winner and top sire You and I.  The stallion arrived from Washington state and will now be permanently pensioned at the farm.

Woodstead Farm in Chehalis, WA, where he most recently stood stud, donated the 20-year-old son of Kris S to Old Friends.

Campaigned by prominent owner Edmund A. Gann and legendary trainer Bobby Frankel, You and I (Kris S – La Chaposa, by Ups) won 6 of 16 starts including the GR2 Cowdin stakes as a 2-year-old.  The following year he set a track record in the GR3 Riva Ridge Stakes, running the 7 furlongs in 1:20.33. At 4 You and I finally earned his GR 1 capturing the 1995 Metropolitan Handicap and later that year the GR 2 Brooklyn H. His career earnings totaled $701, 235.

During his stallion career You and I sired 15 stakes winners, most notably the five-time GR1-winning filly You.

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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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