On the morning of July 8, the word "irreplaceable" kept bouncing around the head of Old Friends founder Michael Blowen as he thought about the previous night's death of Central Kentucky veterinarian Doug Byars, D.V.M.
Eldaafer, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III), has been retired to Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky., along with his goat companions Yahoo and Google.
Rebel Stakes winner and Old Friends retiree Clever Allemont was euthanized due to colic the morning of May 26. The son of Clever Trick was 32.
Bourbon Lane Stable, the national racing partnership based in Lexington, has established a retirement pasture for its horses at Old Friends, the country's premier Thoroughbred retirement care facility.
English group II winner Radiohead has been retired from racing and will spend the rest of his days at Clermont Farm near Germantown, N.Y.
The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition announced April 14 a partnership with Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky.
Bull Inthe Heather, winner of the 1993 Florida Derby (gr. I), was euthanized April 5 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Kentucky.
Old Friends and New Vocations have entered into an agreement to jointly benefit Thoroughbreds in their post-racing and post-breeding careers.
Hops and Horses, a celebration to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement, is set for April 10 in Lexington.
Dancin' Renee, a graded stakes winner and 1997 New York Horse of the Year, has died. The 22-year-old mare lost a long battle with laminitis and was euthanized Jan. 11 at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm.
Champion grass horse Sunshine Forever died Jan. 7 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm near Georgetown, Ky. A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of the 29-year-old stallion's death.
Patton, a stakes-winning son of Lord at War and a retiree at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement farm near Georgetown, Ky., was euthanized at Hagyard's Equine Medical Institute Jan. 5.
Grade I winner Rail Trip is headed for retirement at Old Friends farm in Kentucky, owner Samantha Siegel confirmed Jan. 5.
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has announced that 23 accredited facilities are now eligible to receive financial grants from the organization for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds.
Klassy Briefcase, a record-setting sprinter and broodmare, died Sept.18 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center near Georgetown, Ky. The daughter of Medieval Man out of the Pruner mare Leather Gallery was 28.
Silver Ray, a graded stakes winner rescued from potential slaughter, has arrived at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky.
The board of directors of Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center located near Georgetown, Ky., announced July 30 the election of Dr. Steven Allday to the organization's board.
Old Friends at Cabin Creek, the New York division of Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, Ky., will be hosting two special events this summer to coincide with the Saratoga Race Course meet.
The second annual Old Friends at the Oheka Castle fundraising event will take place June 5 at Gold Coast mansion in Huntington, N.Y. The evening is a benefit for Old Friends.
Saturday April 20, 2013 Arson Squad visited Keeneland with Michael Blowen to help raise awareness of Old Friends Retirement facility and educate fans on the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare. read blog
A bourbon tasting and dinner to benefit the Old Friends equine retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., will be held Feb. 23 at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Louisville, Ky.
Sean Avery, a grade I winner at Saratoga, has been retired from racing and will reside at Old Friends near Georgetown, Ky.
"Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby," the fourth annual online charity auction produced by Old Friends and custom millinery Maggie Mae Designs, continued as bidding opened on a new handcrafted Kentucky Derby hat.
Three-time grade I winner Marquetry, whose 1991 upset of Farma Way at 27-1 odds ranks as the largest in Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) history, died Feb. 1 at Old Friends in Georgetown, KY.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) victor Sarava became the first Classic winner to be retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, Ky., when he arrived the morning of Sept. 29.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky. has welcomed new retiree Dancin' Renee, a graded-stakes winning mare and the 1997 New York Horse of the Year who arrived Sept. 14.
The Old Friends equine retirement program is launching Old Friends Scene, a magazine featuring the retirees at the Thoroughbred retirement facilities located in Georgetown, Ky., and Greenfield Center, N.Y.
Benburb, Canada's Horse of the Year in 1992, has died.
Racing's losingest horse will be at the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, Ky., this summer. Zippy Chippy traded places with Commentator, who was shipped to the organization's New York farm.
Eternal Orage, a multiple stakes winner on the New England circuit, died July 15 at Old Friends retirement center of an apparent heart attack.
Key Contender, winner of the 1995 Suburban Handicap (gr. I), died June 29 at Old Friends NY at Cabin Creek-the Bobby Frankel Division in Greenfield Center, N.Y., because of complications from colic.
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., hosted a welcome reception and press conference for media and fans to meet new retiree Rapid Redux June 1 .
Rapid Redux, who established the modern North American record of 22 consecutive wins in January, will be permanently pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, KY.
Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, racing manager for Thoroughbred owners Jerry and Ann Moss, will receive the inaugural Frankel Award from Old Friends equine retirement center.
The Turfway Aftercare Program has written its first checks, sending funds to four racehorse adoption groups in April and May. The program was developed last year to assist groups that accept retiring racehorses.
Fortunate Prospect, a successful sprinter and broodmare sire, was euthanized March 15 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Ky., because of complications from old age.
Fortunate Prospect, a top sprinter and broodmare sire, was euthanized due to complications of old age March 15 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky.
Grade II winner and millionaire Arson Squad was released from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington Feb. 16.
Diamond Stripes, a group II winning son of Notebook, has been retired to Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center near Georgetown, Ky.
As retirement looms for Rapid Redux, the trainer of the horse that tied Citation's modern day record for most wins in a year is seeking a retirement home for the 5-year-old gelding.
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Ky., has joined with Lexington's Maker's Mark Secretariat Center and CANTER Michigan to retire Ferdinand's Star and Mikethespike.
Fabulous Strike, winner of the 2007 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I), has been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Ky.
Old Friends, a non-profit Thoroughbred retirement facility, has received a second $50,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
On Oct. 17, I was graciously invited to attend a benefit for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility near Georgetown, Ky. honoring Hall of Fame members Skip Away, Noor, and Precisionist. read blog
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Ky., and its 30 retired Breeders' Cup stars invite fans to join them for a special celebration of the 2011's Breeders' Cup on Sunday, Nov. 6 at noon EST.
You and I, winner of the 1995 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) and most recently a stallion in Washington, arrived Oct. 27 at Old Friends near Georgetown, Ky., where he will be pensioned.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm near Georgetown, Ky., has partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Nick Ryan's Saloon to present "Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends" Monday, Oct. 17.
The Bourbon County Secretariat Festival Committee announced Sept. 13 the complete schedule of events for the Secretariat Festival. The festival will be held Sept. 2324 in Paris, Ky.
River Downs will host an "Old Friends Day" at the Cincinnati, Ohio track Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Esther Marr updates the status of Noor's remains, and remembers Awad. read blog
