On February 28, Louisville’s Seelbach Hilton will present “Old Friends Along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” a dinner and bourbon tasting to benefit the haven for retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
Tickets are available for $100 per person, and the hotel is offering a reduced room rate of $75 for the night.
The inaugural event will be highlighted by a live and silent auction, proceeds from which will go to Old Friends. Donations are still being accepted, and a collection of select items are already scheduled to be on the block, including:
--A stunning signed and numbered giclee print, Clydesdale #18, by renowned equine painter Katie Upton.
--“Horse # 16”, a one-of-a-kind slab-constructed pottery sculpture by Texas artist Richard T. Hess.
--The “Indy 500” package, including tickets for two to the 93rd Indianapolis 500 held in May.
--Tickets for two for an evening with the Louisville Orchestra.
--Beautiful four-color print of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and Triple Crown champion Secretariat signed by owners Gretchen Jackson and Penny Chenery.
--A Churchill Downs “Trifecta Package,” which includes a table for eight on Millionaire’s Row, lunch, and admission to the Kentucky Derby Museum (good any race day except Oaks, Derby, or Thanksgiving).
--Professional website design by Howard McClurkin.
The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Seelbach, located at 500 South Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. Tickets are $100 (including tax and gratuity) and will include a three-course dinner, tastings of the Commonwealth’s finest bourbon, a complimentary cocktail, and a commemorative Kentucky Distillers/Old Friends shot glass. Bluegrass and other regional music will be played by Steve Cooley and Mike Shroeder.
Old Friends, located in Georgetown, Kentucky, is a home for Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. Among the many champions are the great sprinter Ogygian, stakes winner Danthebluegrassman, and Eclipse winners Sunshine Forever and The Wicked North.
For more information, call (502) 585-9292 or go to www.seelbachhilton.com.
In addition to the special reduced room night, there will be an after-hours party in The Old Seelbach Bar featuring jazz musician Dick Sisto.
For more information on Old Friends Equine, call (502) 863-1775 or go to www.oldfriendsequine.org. The farm is open daily to tourists by appointment.