Retiring a Horse to Old Friends
PLEASE NOTE: To learn more about placing your horse with an Old Friends sanctioned facility, REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW to determine if your horse meets our criteria. Please submit requests only for horses who meet these criteria.
Old Friends is near capacity at our four farms in Kentucky. We continue to work on expansion opportunities, but current estimated wait times for horses who have been accepted to our waitlist are several months or more in length.
- Old Friends accepts Thoroughbreds only.
- Stallions in need, stallions being returned from overseas, and geldings exiting the race track receive preference.
- Horses at significant risk will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- We do not accept sport horses or horses that have transitioned into other careers or homes. Visit the website for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at thoroughbredaftercare.org for a listing of additional accredited Aftercare facilities, or the websites for your discipline governing bodies.
- Because of the presence of stallions, we have limited space to house and care for mares.
- Old Friends does not pay shipping charges. Owners are responsible for all transport costs.
- Important Note Regarding Donations: Beginning in 2025, Old Friends recommends that retiring horses be accompanied by a suggested donation in the amount of $10,000.00, which will help to cover a majority of the cost to care for your retiree for his first year with us. If you cannot donate all or a portion of this amount, or if you believe you should be exempt from making a donation, please write to us about your situation so that we may consider making an exception for your horse.
- IF YOUR HORSE MEETS THE CRITERIA for placement at an Old Friends sanctioned facility, fill out the application below.
- We will reply to your request within seven business days. You may be asked to provide additional information before we make a determination as to whether your horse is a good fit for our retirement program.
- Your horse will not be considered for placement until you submit this application. This is an information-only form. It does not imply acceptance or placement on our waiting list.
- Do not presume that your horse has been placed on our waiting list or has been accepted until we have contacted you with a confirmation of acceptance.
