Blog

Star Plus was a longtime favorite and loved by many visitors. Some met him a decade ago when he had the paddock where Birdstone now lives and played enthusiastic host to every tour. Read more here.

Thornfield, by Sky Classic out of Alexandrina, a daughter of Conquistador Cielo, was bred in Canada by Knob Hill Stable, which raced him. He specialized on the turf and ran all but one of his starts at Woodbine in Ontario. Read more here.

He was not famous. He never won a stakes race. But Hussonfirst was one of the sweetest horses ever to grace Old Friends. Read more here.

Grade 1 winner. Record holder. Character. Survivor. Friend. When Kudos died we lost one of our most beloved residents and a foundation builder for Old Friends. Read more here.

If ever there was a Hall of Fame race horse who needs no introduction, that horse arrived at Old Friends last week. That horse is Lava Man. Of living horses, he is one of the few who can genuinely lay claim to the title of superstar. Read more here.

You probably know Laura Battles as the photographer whose knowledge of Old Friends’ horses as individuals, as much as her camera skills, make her photos so extraordinary. Read more here.

Albertus Maximus won the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. In 2009 he prevailed in the prestigious Donn Handicap, and he also won the Windy Sands Handicap in 2008. Read more here.

One of the questions I get asked the most these days, whether in person or on social media, is how Special Ring is doing after the passing of his best friend, Popcorn Deelites. Read more here.

Yesterday was a sad day at the farm. We had to say goodbye to two valiant elders. We were coming to love them both very much. Swain and Dumaani lived most of their lives at Shadwell Farm until they joined Old Friends last March. Though we were privileged to care for them for all too […]

Today is the 26th anniversary of Victor Cooley’s win in the Marine Stakes at Woodbine. That day he set a speed record of 1 1/16 mile in 1:41.80 that stands to this day. We are saddened that we can’t go up to Victor’s paddock on the back 40 and celebrate with him. Read more here.