Horse Racing's Living History Museum
Old Friends provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. By promoting these once celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of equine aftercare.
A Message From Michael
Thank you so much for visiting our website! Without the support of our fans, Old Friends wouldn’t exist. I hope you find what you’re looking for and, furthermore, you’ll be inspired to visit all of our great retired Thoroughbreds in Georgetown, Kentucky to see these magnificent characters in person.
Our History
In 2003, Old Friends thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, KY, put a new face on the concept of Thoroughbred aftercare. Former Boston Globe film critic, Michael Blowen, started our organization with a leased paddock and one horse. Over the years we have expanded to a 236-acre farm, three satellite locations and a herd of over 240 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions.
We opened our doors to the public, inviting fans to visit their turf heroes. As a result, Old Friends is now the “living-history museum” of horse racing. Annually, our horses attract nearly 20,000 visitors, who come to get up-close-and-personal with racing’s superstars, and also meet a few who never saw the inside of a winner’s circle.
While rock stars like 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm draw crowds, the revenue they raise supports hard-knockers like Popcorn Deelites, a one-time claimer who made a name for himself by starring in a Hollywood movie. Every horse at Old Friends has a story to tell, and our volunteer tour guides enjoy sharing them with their fans.
In 2014 Old Friends was a proud recipient of a Special Eclipse Award, an industry accolade honoring extraordinary service to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. But perhaps the greatest reward of all has been respect and support of the owners, trainers, and fans who not only donate to the cause of protecting these amazing athletes but come out to the farm often and visit with all of their old friends.
“ The ups and downs, the ins and outs, I’ve been here since the beginning. I’ve seen it all. I am Little Silver Charm. I am the eyewitness to Old Friends history."
Our Farms
Dream Chase Farm, our main facility in Georgetown, KY., is home to more than 150 former racehorses and breeding stallions. Residents include Silver Charm, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Hall of Fame Member Lava Man, and four winners of the Belmont Stakes – Touch Gold, Sarava, Birdstone, and Ruler On Ice. Our roster also includes Breeders’ Cup champs Little Mike, Amazombie, Eldaafer, Stormy Liberal, and Work All Week, plus three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Game On Dude. Located just minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park and Keeneland Racecourse, we are open to the public for tours by reservation.
Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, located in Greenfield Center, NY, is just a few minutes from the Saratoga Race Course. Run by farm managers JoAnn and Mark Pepper, Cabin Creek features 15 retired Thoroughbreds, including two-time Whitney Handicap winner, Commentator, and 2007 New York-bred Horse of the Year winner, Naughty New Yorker.
Old Friends at Ashton Grove, also located in Georgetown, KY., showcases a unique relationship between Old Friends Farm and the Ashton Grove Senior Living Community. The location combines horse retirement with exemplary senior living. Based on approximately 40 acres once owned and operated by Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms, the Ashton Grove location features 13 Old Friends retirees.
Team Old Friends
Michael Blowen
Alyssa Coleman
Barbara Fossum
Sallie Gannon
Mary Greene
Rebecca Monakil
Matt Barmes
Susan Smith
Beth Shannon
Alexis
Antonio
Bill
Billy
David
Mario
James B.
James C.
Jose
Jeremy
Marisa
Rafael
Tammy
Zach
Andy
Barb
Becky
Bill
Carol U.
Carol W.
Charlie B.
Charlie F.
Diane
Donna
Ellen
Howard
Joyce
Kelly
Ken
Kurt
Laura
Lisa C.
Lisa W.
Lloyd
Marc
Mary
Matthew
Pam
Pat
Steve
Tom
Wendy
The best job to have at Old Friends, by far, is that of a tour guide. We’re pretty much the face of the farm, the first people our wonderful guests meet when they come to visit our horses. Although our backgrounds are as diverse as the pedigrees of our retirees, we share one thing in common, and that’s our admiration of the great equine athletes whose stories we tell day after day, rain or shine. We’re all unpaid volunteers, so it’s not a job we have to do. To us it’s an honor and a privilege to share the legendary racing and breeding careers of our horses with the thousands of tourists who visit the farm each year.” — Tom Beatty, Senior Tour Guide
Little Silver Charm
Old Friends and Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Spokes-HorseGorgeous George
Old Friends and Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Spokes-HorseWinston
Old Friends Mascot Ashton Grove Senior LivingFonzi
Mari Hulman George Annex MascotBuddy
Chief Greeter, 2004-2022Lucy
Office PotatoSelena
Gift ShopBobby
Rodent ControlBirdie
Michael's MinionBebe
Assistant GuideRufus
Farm PatrolPrincess
Senior Farm CatMichael Blowen
President
Bill Van Den Dool
Vice President
Barbara Fossum
Secretary
Pat Riley
Treasurer
Cynthia Grisolia
Chairman
Jill Baffert
Owner
Patrick Riley
Finance
Susan Chu
Baoma Corporation
Peggy Gdovka
Breeders' Cup Ltd.
Corey Johnsen
CJ Throughbreds
Suzanne Mundy
Canamer Farm
Clark Nyberg
Finance
Bev Passerello
Ashton Grove Senior Living
Ron Portell
Finance
Mark Simon
Daily Racing Form
Ron Wallace
Equine Farm Management
Diane White
Old Friends
Dr. Bryan Waldridge
Veterinary Medicine
Old Friends Volunteer Experience
The following volunteer positions are currently available:
We have limited volunteer opportunities for hands-on horse care. If you have experience working with horses and
would like to volunteer with our horse-care staff, please include detailed information of your equine experience.