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Black Tie Affair 1986 - 2010
Miswaki - Hat Tab Girl, by Al Hattab
Photo by Rick Capone
At Old Friends, we are overwhelmed, but not surprised, at the outpouring of sympathy over the passing of the great champion and our great friend, Black Tie Affair.For those who had the good fortune to spend just a few minutes in his company, you need not read any further. His intelligence, toughness and class were apparent to even the most uninitiated. It poured out of him.
I know Jeffery Sullivan and Ernie and Dee Poulos and Ruben and Jerry Bailey and Donna Hayes were thrilled to be near him when he was at his athletic peak, mowing down the opposition and breeding hundreds of racehorses, including Formal Gold and Evening Attire. And, I also know, that we are an old age home and, sometimes, a Hospice. We get many of our retirees when they really need us. We, especially Janet and Kent and Dr. Byars, did the best we could for as long as he would let us. But, when his eyes began to sag and his one good leg swelled up and he showed little interest in grazing, it was time. That's the least we could for him.
I used to make my living as a writer but I find that, at times like these, words are woefully inefficient. I feel honored to have had him as my old friend during his final days. Thanks to everyone who contributed to his retirement and made him such an important part of our lives. I guess, in the end, all I can say is that I loved him.
Michael
“This horse has a heart as big as his body.” ....Ernie Poulos
Old Friends began as a retirement and rescue facility for pensioned Thoroughbreds. Then news broke of the inconceivable death of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in a slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002 (read more about Ferdinand). The discovery gave even more impetus to our organization. "We went from getting five emails a day to hundreds," noted President and founder Michael Blowen. We knew such a death must never happen again. And so the plan became to bring at risk racehorses--those whose racing and breeding careers had come to an end--to Old Friends, provide them with the dignified retirement they deserve, and open the space to the public. By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we realized we could draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need.
We are the only thoroughbred rescue / retirement facility that accepts stallions, & so we take exceptional pride in our pensioned champions, among them 1988 Eclipse-winning Turf Champion, Sunshine Forever & one of the last great sons of Damascus, Ogygian. In addition to our pensioned stallions, Old Friends is home to some very deserving retired mares & geldings. (See Our Horses).
Old Friends hosts two to five tours daily (See Visit Us), and while our guests come to visit a few ex-racehorses, they leave having been touched by the heart of a Thoroughbred hero. |
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