|
Old Friends Homecoming Auction May 3rd - Halters Available
Accepting Proxy Bids Thru Friday, May 1st at Midnight (Eastern)
BIG BROWN--Donated by Three Chimneys
(with stallion book autographed by Kent Desormeaux, BB hat, BB scarf & BB mug)
CIGAR--Donated by Kentucky Horse Park
GRINDSTONE--Donated by Overbrook Farm
JAZIL--Donated by Nashwan Stud, Shadwell Farm
MUSTANFAR--Donated by Nashwan Stud, Shadwell Farm
SLEW CITY SLEW--Donated by Airdrie Stallions
TEN MOST WANTED--Donated by Megali Farms--CA
FANTASTIC LIGHT--Donated by Darley
MONARCHOS--Donated by Nuckols Farm
ENGLISH CHANNEL --Donated by Hurricane Hall
(this is the only halter ever donated - extremely rare)
UNBRIDLED'S SONG--Donated by Taylor Made Stallions
(with hat)
CHAMPALI--Donated by Glencrest Farm
(with stallion book & hat)
FLEET INDIAN--Donated by Summer Wind Farm
(halter she foaled in this spring - has framed photo of Fleet Indian & her foal)
SERENA'S SONG -- Donated by Denali Stud
MEDAGLIA D'ORO-- Donated by Stonewall Stallions
(with stallion book)
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY -- Donated by Ashford Stud
(with dvd & book)
DEVIL HIS DUE--Donated by Margaux Farm
(mounted on a lovely wooden plaque with his shoe)
RAGS TO RICHES--Donated by Ashford Stud
HALFBRIDLED--Donated by Hagyards Farm
JOHANNESBURG--Donated by Ashford Stud
(with hat, dvd & book)
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR--Donated by Ashford Stud
(with dvd & book)
JUST ADDED! GIACOMO-- Donated by Adena Springs
CAME HOME
Can't come to the Homecoming Event? You can still bid on halters! Just send us your highest bid for your halter choice. Someone will be bidding for you at the auction. Winners must send payment within 5 working days or item is awarded to the next highest bidder.
Send your email bid to sylvia@oldfriendsequine.org or call us directly at 502-863-1775
Old Friends Rescues Horse from Ernie Paragallo’s NewYork Farm
GEORGETOWN, KY—APRIL 24, 2009—By now, most people have heard about the alledged charges of animal cruelty pending against prominent owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo after more than 170 Thoroughbreds were found starved and neglected at his upstate New York farm.
Many rescue groups have rallied to help, including Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY. Yesterday, one of the ill-fated young horses found at Paragallo’s farm arrived in Kentucky thanks to the combined efforts of Katrina Groboski of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Tim Ford, an Old Friends volunteer, and Morrissey's Horse Pullmans of Pawling, NY.
While little is know about the horse, he already has ties to Old Friends. He is by Aristotle out of Prospect Street, a mare by Fortunate Prospect, the well-known Florida sire who is currently pension at Old Friends. Prospect Street is also the granddaughter of Exceller, whose line was represented at Old Friends by its first retiree, Narrow Escape, a mare who passed away just last week at the age of 26.
“We were contacted about taking one of the horse and originally thought we were getting Prospect Street,” said Ford. “ But then Katrina called and told me there was a mistake and it was actually her 5-year-old-son. We said of course we’d take him, he had been through so much and, at 5 and unnamed, he probably didn’t have much to look forward to as a racehorse or stallion.”
Groboski and Ford went ahead and facilitated the adoption and Morrissey Horse Transport provided a free-of-charge ride from New York to the Bluegrass state.
“The first thing he will need is medical care, food, and love,” said Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen. “The second thing he will need is an identity. So we’re initiating a campaign to name this young fellow and raise money for his treatment and raise awareness of such a tragic situation at the same time.
The public is invited to participate. A suggested donation of $50 and a choice of moniker allows a chance to name the horse. (the horse with no name is currently wearing a halter bearing the name “?”). The best name will be chosen by a formal Old Friends panel and will be announced at the Old Friends “Annual Homecoming” fundraiser being held May 3 at the Georgetown farm. Try often with as many names as you like. (all donations to Old friends are tax deductible).
After a name is chosen, Old Friends will also officially register the horse with the Jockey Club if possible, so players are advise to keep their ideas to no more than 18 characters (including spaces) and to consider already existing names.
For more information, contact Old Friends via mail (1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, KY 40324), email (sylvia@oldfriendsequine.org), on the Old Friends website (http://www.oldfriendsequine.org), or by phone (502-863-1775), and will be considered until midnight on Friday May 1, 2009. The best 'namer' will receive a complimentary gift bag of Old Friends apparel and other goodies. Old Friends's "Lava Luau" Postponed - Lava Man Arrival Now Set for June
GEORGETOWN, KY - MARCH 11, 2009 - Michael Blowen, president and founder of the Thoroughbred
Retirement Facility Old Friends, announced today that the arrival of racing legend Lava Man would be delayed.
The seven-time Grade 1 winner was expected at the Georgetown, KY farm this week, and a public celebration
was scheduled for April 2. This will now be postponed until sometime in June.
Co-owners STD Racing Stables (Steve, Tracy, and Dave Kenly) and Jason Wood made a commitment to
pension their star with Old Friends last fall after he retired from the track with over $5.2 million in earnings due to ankle problems. In these past months it became apparent that Lava Man's injuries proved more problematic. His owners have taken every precaution to improve his health and well being before his journey east, thus insuring a long and comfortable retirement at Old Friends.
The 8-year-old gelding has been undergoing cutting-edge stem cell treatments at the Alamo Pintado Equine
Medical Center to improve his ankle issues. "The procedure is designed to regenerate cartilage," says Steve
Kenly. "Hopefully, it will make him sound for the rest of his life. We brought him to Alamo Pintado for diagnosis
last year, and they recommended this new method," adds Kenly. "And who better to do it on than a horse that
has some recognition?"
So far the prognosis is excellent. "He seems to be thriving," says Kenly. "He appears pain free and, physically,
he's never looked better." Lava Man is recovering at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, CA, where his care has been
"outstanding," Kenly notes.
"I know this will disappoint many of his fans who made travel plans to visit him at Old Friends on April 2," said
Blowen. "And, of course, we'd love to have him sooner rather than later. But not if it means reducing his chances
for a retirement that we all hope will be as long, or longer, than that other great claimer, John Henry.
"The Kenlys and the Woods and everyone associated with this spectacular athlete have made all the right
choices since his retirement last year," continued Blowen. "We thank them for taking such great care of LavaMan.
We apologize for any inconvenience," he adds, "but we'd like everyone to remember that it's never about us,
it's about the horse."
The Lava Man celebration will be rescheduled. If you already made reservations for the 'Lava Luau" scheduled
for April 2nd, please contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775 for further information.
Located on 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, KY, Old Friends is home to more than 30 retired
Thoroughbreds, including 16 stallions. Among the many Champions are Eclipse Award winners Sunshine
Forever and The Wicked North, the great sprinter Ogygian, stakes winner Danthebluegrassman, and millionaire
Awad. The farm is open daily to tourists by appointment. For more information on tours, booking rooms at the
Old Friends Bed & Breakfast, or to make a donation call 502-863-1775 or see their website at
www.oldfriendsequine.org.
Teamwork Brings Siphonizer to Old Friends
OCTOBER 24, 2008—It takes a village to raise a child and, sometimes, it takes a community of compassionate
people to retire a racehorse.
On October 21st the 7-year-old gelding Siphonizer (Siphon—Thesky’sthelimit by Northern Prospect) was retired
to Old Friends, the 92-acre facility in Georgetown, KY. The one-time Delmar Futurity winner ran his last race
only three days before finishing 4th in a $4,000 claimer at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. It was his
38th lifetime start and it added a small paycheck to his final track earnings of just over $313,000.
That’s the end of the story
For the beginning, you have to go back to 2003, to the barn of Hall-of-Fame trainer
Richard Mandella, and to his then-assistant trainer Becky Witzman. “He was a good
horse and he was just one of my favorites,” says Witzman of the promising 2-year
old. “He was very personable. He learned how to nicker for attention and carrots
from another horse in the barn, and so every morning when I arrived in the dark I
would hear him calling for a treat.”
Siphonizer had made an auspicious debut at Del Mar in August of 2003, winning his
first race by 3/4 of a length. He sealed the deal with a solid finish in the
Futurity, his 3rd start, under the control of jockey Julie Krone, and earned himself
a spot in the Breeders Cup Juvenile—a race he lost to stable mate Action This Day,
one of four Mandella trainees to earn a BC crown that day.
“I had been trying to watch him over the years,” says Witzman, who is now the
producer of HRTV’s Race Day America. “And I just kept seeing him drop and drop and
drop. Then, seeing him in a $4,000 claimer, I just thought isn’t this enough? So I
called Michael Blowen and asked how a horse gets to Old Friends.”
Blowen, the founder and president of the retirement facility, was thrilled to give
Siphonizer a home if Witzman could find a way to get him. “We just bought 40
additional acres at the farm,” said Blowen, “but we haven’t had the funds yet to
complete the fencing needed to house more horses. But I couldn’t pass up the
opportunity to retire a horse like Siphonizer,” he continues. “So I thought if Becky
could make it work, so could I.”
Witzman contacted Iowa-based owner Maggie Moss for help. “She was just exceptional,”
said Witzman. “Maggie had the horse at one point in his career and knew his whole
story. She was willing to put up the money and claim him for us.”
To make the claim, Moss and Witzman then contacted trainer Steve Asmussen. “Maggie
has horses with Steve all around the country,” says Witzman. “And the fact that he
was willing to help us out with all that he has going on right now was just
amazing.”
Asmussen was, coincidentally, saddling several starters at Remington Park that
Sunday. He nevertheless took the time out from those obligations as well as from
conditioning his two mounts scheduled to run in Saturday’s Breeders Cup
Classic—including global champion Curlin—to claim Siphonizer.
All that stood in the way of a dignified retirement was the 800 or so miles between
Oklahoma City and Lexington, KY. “Sallee Vans [the company that ships many of the
Old Friends retirees free of charge] had a van going that Monday,” says Witzman,
“but I couldn’t get on because it was a private van.” Not one to give up hope,
Witzman called another friend, trainer Eoin Harty (who will send Colonel John to the
BC Classic), and asked how he was shipping his horses from Remington Park that
week. As fate would have it, the private van was booked by Harty, who was more than
happy to give Siphonizer a lift.
The gelding arrived in Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon. He will board at Jude Feld’s
Chestnut Farm in Versailles until funds are raised to complete the new paddock
fencing at the Old Friends farm.
“This is an outstanding example of racing people coming together to do the right
thing,” said Blowen. “And the fact that Steve Asmussen and Eoin Harty could take
time out from their schedules just days before the Breeders Cup is truly amazing. We
can’t thank everyone enough for their help and their commitment to the horses.
Siphonizer will have a great home here at Old Friends.”
Witzman, for one, is delighted. “I’ve always thought about Siphonizer over these
years,” she said. “I’m so glad Old Friends was able to take him. Give him a kiss for
me.”
The Wicked North to Old Friends GEORGETOWN, KY—OCTOBER 10, 2008— This Sunday, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred
retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY will welcome new retiree The Wicked North to
its 92-acres Dream Chase Farm. Owner Annette Bacola has kindly donated her Eclipse-winning
champion to the facility where he will be permanently pensioned. The Wicked North (Far North--Wicked Witchcraft by Good Behaving) most recently stood at
True North Farm in Versailles, KY. He was pension in 2007, however, due to health problems.
Prior to that he stood at The Stallion Park in Millbrook, NY. By winning 8 of 17 starts he earned over $1.2 million on the track. His stakes victories include
the G3 Bing Crosby Stakes, the G1 Oaklawn H., and the G1 California Stakes, where he set a
track record for 1 1/8 miles when he won in 1:46.68 over the Hollywood Park course. In 1994,
at age 5, he earned the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Horse. Bacola, the former racing commissioner in Michigan, resides in Versailles and will be providing a stipend for her horse. The 19-year-old chestnut stallion has been at Kentucky’s Caddel Equine Therapy Center, owned
and operated by Steve and Linda Caddel, where he has been recovering from colic surgery. “We’re so honored to have the Wicked North here at Old Friends,” said founder and president
Michael Blowen. “We can’t thank Annette enough for choosing us. We know he’ll enjoy his retirement
here and we’re looking forward to introducing him to our many visitors and patrons.” Both the press and the public are welcome to attend his arrival on Sunday Oct. 12. Salle Vans, the
transportation specialist that have shipped many Old Friends retirees free of charge, will pick up the
stallion at Caddel and deliver him to Old Friends.
LAVA MAN IS COMING TO OLD FRIENDS!!
Press Release 9/4/08
Stakes Winning Champion Lava Man to Retire at Old Friends
GEORGETOWN, KY—SEPTEMBER 4, 2008—Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility
based in Georgetown, KY, is proud to announce that California racing legend Lava Man will be permanently pensioned at its 92-acres Dream Chase Farm. Owners the Kenly Family’s STD Racing Stables (Steve, Tracy, and Dave Kenly) and Jason Woods agreed earlier this week to send Lava Man to Old Friends, and arrangements have been made
for him to arrive in the Bluegrass on Sept. 16.
Campaigned by trainer Doug O’Neill, the 7-year-old gelding was retired from the track in July due to unfavorable front-foot x-rays. He ended his career with over $5.2 million in earnings and seven Grade 1 wins, a number unparalleled among California breds.
“From the beginning, Steve and everyone associated with this amazing athlete have done what's best for Lava Man,” said Old Friends founder and president, Michael Blowen. “I can't tell you how thrilled we are that they’ve entrusted the care of this unbelievably talented champion to us.”
“Michael called us about retiring Lava Man, and he was just so energetic and excited,” said Steve Kenly of STD. “I didn’t think there was that much interest in the horse outside of the West Coast, and Michael just said, ‘Are you kidding me?’”
We’re not blue-blood, we’re not the uber-wealthy,” Kenly continued. “Lava Man is a small guy’s horse and Michael is a small-guy’s farm, so we thought it was a perfect fit.”
Sporting a name that foreshadowed his volcanic rise, Lava Man has been called the “greatest of all claimers,” having erupted from the lowest of racing ranks into a stakes-winning champion in little more than a year. Throughout his career he captured 17 of 46 starts. His striking string of victories includes three consecutive wins in the Hollywood Gold Cup (equaling the presumed unmatchable record set by Native Diver in the 1960s), the 2006 Pacific Classic, the 2006 and 2007 Santa Anita Handicap, and both the Sunshine Millions Classic and the Sunshine Millions Turf.
Lava Man (Slew City Slew-L’il Ms Leonard, by Nostalgia’s Star) was bred by Lonnie Arterburn, Eve Kuhlmann, and Kim Kuhlmann at Popular Meadows Ranch near Sanger, California. A dark bay foal, he was born in March and named after the annual Lava Man Triathlon that’s held that same month in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Originally trained by former jockey Arterburn, the horse began his career as a 2-year-old in a $12,500 maiden claiming race at the San Joaquin County Fair in 2003. A switch from dirt to grass initiated a move up the ranks, and the 3-year-old Lava Man was eventually claimed for $50,000 by O’Neill at the urging of his owners. Launching his stakes career with a win in the 2005 California Stakes, the horse soon went from claiming to Reigning King of the California circuit, inspiring the turf press to dub him a modern day Seabiscuit.
His name is now intrinsically linked with numerous racing “firsts.” He is the first horse to win a signature race at each of Southern California’s major racetracks in one year. He is the first horse to equal Native Diver’s record of winning three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cup races. He is the first horse in a generation to win a Grade 1 race on dirt and turf in the same year, and he is the only horse ever to win a North American Grade 1 race on dirt, turf, and synthetic surface.
On Sept. 16, Lava Man will be flown from California to Lexington courtesy of H.E. Tex Sutton Forwarding Co., where he will be met by Sallee Vans and driven the short distance to the Georgetown farm. There he will join the near 30 other retirees, including Eclipse winner Sunshine Forever, champion sprinter Ogygian, eight-time stakes winner Ruhlmann, and fellow California hero Special Ring. An event celebrating his arrival is currently scheduled for Oct. 7 at Old Friends.
“The attention and notice a superstar like Lava Man brings to our organization is multi-fold,” noted Blowen. “It’s the champions that attract tourism and donations; in turn that helps us care for the many geldings and mares we have also retired that are not bold type. We’re really looking forward to meeting Lava Man’s many admirers here at the farm.”
PROJECT - 2010 OLD FRIENDS CALENDAR
We’re also planning a calendar for 2010. Great equine photographers such as Katey Barrett, Barbara Livingston and Robbi Meisel are all contributing photos and Katey is spearheading the publication. We aim to make it the best of all racing calendars with excellent detail and printed on heavy stock. It costs about $100 per day to feed our retirees. So we’re offering every day of the year for sponsorships. For a $100 donation you can have a name printed on the calendar for the day of your choice, on a first-come, first-served basis. You also get a free calendar. Well, I guess it's really not free if you’re forking over $100. Honor a loved one, a pet, your favorite horse, or a memorial date. If you want to help, just send the tax deductible donation to Old Friends, 1841 Payne’s Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324 and write Calendar on the check - include the wording you'd like for the calendar date. You can also donate with paypal or call the office with credit card info at 502-863-1775. click here for calendar form
PROJECT- OLD FRIENDS ARTIST SIGNATURE SERIES OF CHRISMAN MILL WINES
2007 - Our artist signature label wine project with Chrisman Mill Winery kicked off with a flying start that none of us could have imagined! 1000 bottles of their Kentucky Chambourcin with the first Old Friends label. Our very own little Silver Charm - Michael's rescued miniature horse is featured on the label. Actor Jack Nicholson sketched Silver Charm for Michael a few years back & kindly agreed to let us use it. Blended into his sketch is a photo of Silver Charm himself. (http://www.chrismanmill.com/) at 859-881-5007. Read more about the now ongoing wine project here.
Archive area:
EVENT: Friday, April 18th 5:00-8:00pm at Whole Foods Market 4944 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville 502-899-5545 "Five After Five" FRIDAY Benefit for Old Friends Retired Thoroughbreds
Enjoy the flavors of our Derby menu paired with your favorite local beers! Your $5 donation will help Old Friends continue to provide dignified retirements for our thoroughbreds. Five Kentucky beer samples with Derby meal pairings are included with admission - and you get to keep the mug! Check out Whole Foods here.
EVENT: OLD FRIENDS DAY AT LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FIELD
SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH AT 1:15 P.M. TICKETS only $5.00 EACH
Watch the Louisville Bats play the Pawtucket Redsox and help Old Friends!
Old Friends swings for the fences on April 13th when the Louisville bats take on the Pawtucket Red Sox at 1:15 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field to benefit their Thoroughbred counterparts. Tickets are only $5.00 but must be reserved through Old Friends for great seats at this bargain price. Call Old Friends, a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit at (502) 863-1775.
Aside from a great chance to see tomorrow’s superstars today the proceeds will benefit the 29 plus Thoroughbreds at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Plans are for the great jockey, Randy Romero (health permitting), who rode Personal Ensign to her undefeated career, to throw out the first pitch. There will also be a silent auction, at the Old Friends booth, of baseballs dedicated to this year’s AAA All-Star game signed by Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and Triple Crown winner, Jean Cruguet (Seattle Slew). Louisville Bats jerseys and balls signed by selected players will also be auctioned off. It’s sure to be a great afternoon at the ball park made even greater by helping our four-footed Champions
EVENT - Old Friends Day at Santa Anita Race Track. 1/20/08
Very limited seating, but its gonna be a fabulous day! We have some great silent auction items and it'll be a lot of fun. The day includes seeing some of our Thoroughbred's great races, a buffet lunch, valet parking, programs and admissions. We are not charging for the event but we'll gladly accept donations for our program. Call Old Friends 502-863-1775 or email contact@oldfriendsequine.org
EVENT -July 8, 2006 10:00-1:00 OLD FRIENDS OPEN HOUSE!! Come see our new home!
EVENT 4/15/06 - Visit with Old Friends at Keeneland!
Keeneland racetrack has graciously invited Old Friends to participate in the popular “Breakfast at the Works” program on Bluegrass Stakes Day, April 15th. The program begins at 8:45 a.m. & will feature one of our wonderful retirees, Seabiscuit movie star, POPCORN DEELITES. Come out to the track for a morning of food, fun & horses!
|
