Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, KY, has announced the release of History of Old Friends: A Home for Retired Thoroughbreds, by sports journalist and photographer Rick Capone.
Published by the Charleston, S.C.-based History Press, the History of Old Friends tells the definitive story of the central Kentucky farm Founded by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen from its inception in 2003 to its current position, Old Friends is a home for more than 140 retired racehorses, many of them stakes winners and distinguished stars of the turf.
The book is 160 pages and features over 75 color and black and white images by Capone and other notable photographers, including Matt and Wendy Wooley of EquiSport Photos, Blood-Horse magazine's Anne Eberhardt, Laura Battles, and Connie Bush.
The History of Old Friends can be ordered via the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org for $19.99 plus $5 for shipping and handling; 50% of the sales profit will go directly to Old Friends.
A horse lover and racing fan, author Capone moved to Lexington, Ky., in 2006 and first visited Old Friends in 2008. He has been volunteering his time and donating his beautiful images of all of the Old Friends horses ever since. He is currently the sports editor of The Woodford Sun.
"Rick has done a superb job creating an accurate and detailed account of the farm's journey over these 10 years," said Blowen, now the president of Old Friends. "It's full of wonderful anecdotes and photos, and it's just a great read."
Scheduled book signings are:
*Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. Author Capone, Old Friends founder Blowen, and other guests will be on hand to sign Capone's new book detailing the origins and history of Old Friends.
*Sunday, Aug. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Morris Book Shop in Lexington with Capone and Blowen. They will sign and discuss the book.