From Michael…
Friday morning I had the privilege of addressing about 80 of the most knowledgable, curious, intelligent and sensitive horse racing fans I’ve ever met. They asked precise questions about the life expectancy, veterinary care and personalities of retired race horses. They wanted to know about what happened to Ferdinand and what Old Friends was doing to make sure the post racing and breeding lives of the Thoroughbreds was secure. They donated carrots and peppermints for the horses’ Christmas presents.And they also handed over an envelope filled with cash and checks and a marvelous poem. Aside from their love of horses and racing, they had one other thing in common. They are all second graders at Western Elementary School in Scott County…right up the street from Old Friends. In just over an hour, they restored my rapidly diminishing faith in the future of the Thoroughbred. .
These students are too young to bet at Keeneland, own or train racehorses and, yet, they were as passionate about the sport and its future than any group I’ver ever spoken to. After our conversation concluded, one girl wearing a pink shirt with a sequined horse came up to me and said, “All I want for Christmas is to come to see Little Silver Charm at Old Friends. Are you open on Christmas.” I told her we’d be open anytime she and her parents could make it. I want to thank them all for giving me the greatest Christmas present I’ve ever received.
Marquetry is recovering very nicely. Thanks so much to all who contributed toward his surgery. Thanks to everyone at Hagyard’s…especially Dr. Kim Sprayberry and Dr. Clark. Kim advised us to go ahead with the surgery and Andy told us to just send in whatever we could toward the bill and Hagyard’s would take care of the rest. Ferdinand’s Star just arrived from the Secretariat Center. Thanks to everyone at the Center and the TRF, along with his biggest fan, Jack Taylor, for allowing us the honor of giving Ferdy a home at Old Friends. Thanks to Walter Downey for sending us his magnificent gelding, Fabulous Strike. The multiple stakes winner and Old Friends’ third Vosburgh victor (Affirmed Success and Bonapaw) is one of the great sprinters of his generation and is already a big hit among the visitors and tour guides. Finally, Mikethespike has come to Old Friends. Thanks to Viv and Bea and Facebook fans and to Gail Hirt for taking such great care of this beautiful grandson of Black Tie Affair. He’s already bonded with Northern Stone and Affirmed Success.
Old Friends now cares for 115 Thoroughbreds who earned more than $88 million on the racetrack. On their behalf, I’d like to thank all of our supporters for their support. My dream for 2012 is that I get to say no less often to people who want to donate their deserving Thoroughbreds to Old Friends.