The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition announced April 14 a partnership with Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Ky.
The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is a group of business and civic leaders dedicated to bringing first-class horse racing to Georgia.
Old Friends cares for more than 125 horses, including Georgia-bred Bluesthestandard, a multiple graded stakes winner.
"The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition supports efforts to help find all racehorses—once their racing careers are over—a new home and a new job," said Dean Reeves, coalition president and owner of 2013 Breeder's Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Mucho Macho Man .
"Financial support of these retired athletes will be an integral part of our legislative efforts to bring racing to Georgia. Partnering with Old Friends is an important first step in our commitment to this standard of care for horses after they leave the track."
"Our partnership with the Georgia Horse Race Coalition will help us in our mission to spread the word about the necessity for dignified retirement and second careers for these great horses," said Old Friends founder Michael Blowen. "By promoting these celebrated horses at Old Friends through a campaign of education and tourism, we draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need, and we appreciate the support of GHRC."
The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is a non-profit 501 C (6) organization whose mission is to educate Georgians about the value that horse racing will bring to its state by generating jobs, tax revenues and tourism.
The coalition is working with state leaders to pass legislation allowing pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia in order to encourage and support a statewide racing industry, including a state-of-the-art entertainment complex. Learn more at www.gahorseracing.org.