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Published by CAD DESIGN, 2017-10-23 14:06:10

OldFriends2017-A

OldFriends2017-A

JANUARY 2018 $10

WAR EMBLEM

BARBARA D.LIVINGSTON

OLD FRIENDS IS AN ACCREDITED AFTERCARE ORGANIZATION

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE

OLD FRIENDS

TOUCH GOLD GAME ON DUDE

1997 Belmont Stakes Adena Springs-bred son of
winner, former Adena Awesome Again; 8x Grade 1
Springs stallion winner of $6,498,893

ALPHABET SOUP

1996 Breeders’ Cup
Classic winner, former
Adena Springs stallion

www.AdenaRetirement.com

CONTENTS

OLD FRIENDS BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Welcome American Faroe? ABOUT US
PRESIDENT
Michael Blowen Old Friends is home to a lot of smart, Little Silver Charm thinks he’s a How to get to Old Friends .............. 35
entertaining horses. Page 2 descendant of ponies from the Old Friends at Kentucky Downs.... 36
VICE PRESIDENT Faroe Islands, which makes him special. Old Friends at Cabin Creek............. 38
William Van Den Dool Baffert collection Page 26 How to help ..................................... 40
Gift shop.......................................... 43
SECRETARY Bob Baffert is represented by a host of The catbird seat
Barbara Fossum good horses at Old Friends. Page 4 ALSO
Selena, queen of the office, helps keep
TREASURER The buddy system things organized, sort of. Page 27 Roster of horses for all sites.......... 44
Mark Otto Hall of Fame horses........................ 79
Horses are paired in paddocks according It takes a community Past performances......................... 86
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD to compatibility. Page 8
Cynthia Grisolia Volunteers have provided a duck house FEATURED HORSES
Our special tour guides and statue, among many things. Page 28
BOARD MEMBERS Albert the Great ....... 46 Nobiz Like Shobiz .... 63
Jill Baffert, Jeff Burch, Corey Johnsen Old Friends has a dedicated group of Support from friends Alphabet Soup ......... 47 Popcorn Deelites ..... 64
Suzanne Mundy, Clark Nyberg volunteers who educate visitors. Page 12 Amazombie.............. 48 Private Zone............. 65
Dr. John Park, Ron Portell, Mark Simon Maker’s Mark helps raise funds from Arson Squad ............ 49 Rail Trip..................... 66
Ron Wallace, Diane White An Australian counterpart sales of special bottles. Page 29 Awesome Gem ........ 50 Rapid Redux............. 68
Bint Marscay ............51 Sarava....................... 69
ADVISORY COUNCIL Living Legends near Melbourne has a Life at Old Friends Cherono.................... 52 Silver Charm ............ 70
Dennis Brida, Rosie Napravnik similar setup as Old Friends. Page 18 Disturbingthepeace. 53 Sokitumi Samurai.... 71
Photos by Barbara Livingston. Page 30 Game On Dude......... 54 Special Ring ............. 72
OLD FRIENDS MAGAZINE PRODUCTION Old girlFriends Genuine Reward ...... 56 Summer Attraction.. 73
Barbara Fossum Saying goodbye Ide ............................. 57 Sun King....................74
Old Friends has a number of mares on Jimbo Fallon............. 58 Thornfield................. 75
Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm the farm, and we’ve started a new club To old friends who passed in the past Johannesbourbon ... 60 Touch Gold ................76
1841 Paynes Depot Road to celebrate their presence. Page 20 year. Page 34 Little Mike................. 61 War Emblem ............ 77
Georgetown, KY 40324 Mikethespike............ 62 Will’s Way................. 78
(502) 863-1775 Extraordinary care Our new silks
COVER
DRF EDITORIAL Park Equine and Dr. Bryan Waldridge Contest yields first set of silks for Old
Jay Hovdey, Joe Nevills, Mark Simon, Mary provide free care to our horses. Page24 Friends. Page 42 War Emblem. Photo by Barbara D. Livingston.
Simon; Featured Horse remembrances written by
DRF editors and writers DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 1

DRF DESIGN
Jim Sewastynowicz
PHOTO EDITOR
Chris Donofry
DESIGNER

DRF SPONSORSHIP
Robert Forbeck, 859-803-4800
SVP/NATIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Mandy Minger
VICE PRESIDENT / MARKETING
Lara Levine, 859-312-0172
DRF BREEDING-DIRECTOR OF SALES & SPONSORSHIP

Information pertaining to pedigrees and production records of
North American horses contained herein ©The Jockey Club
(2017). All rights reserved. Data provided or compiled by or
for Daily Racing Form LLC, Equibase Company LLC, and The
Jockey Club Information generally are accurate, but occasion-
ally errors and omissions occur as a result of incorrect data
received from others, mistakes in processing and other causes.
Daily Racing Form LLC, Equibase Company LLC, and The
Jockey Club Information Systems disclaim responsibility for the
consequences, if any, of such errors, but would appreciate their
being called to their attention.

All proceeds from the sale of this magazine go to Old Friends.

Welcome BarBara D. Livingston

By Michael Blowen

A few decades ago, while mucking a stall for a $3,500
claimer at Suffolk Downs, I heard a groom down the
shedrow exclaim, “These horses are so (bleeping)
dumb.”

Over the years, I’ve heard other declarations about
small brains and dumb animals. Nothing could be
further from the truth.

I’m not a scientist, so I don’t know the precise rela-
tionship between brain size and intelligence, but I do
know that the Thoroughbreds we have at Old Friends
are a lot smarter and have better memories than most
people give them credit for.

Several years ago, Commentator’s primary groom
came to see him after four years of separation.
Commentator heard him cluck to him once or twice
and came tearing down the hill literally leaping for joy.

Ask Bob Baffert and Gary Stevens, who hadn’t seen
Silver Charm in more than a decade, about the horse’s
response when they showed up. Ask Richard Migliore
about Hidden Lake and Affirmed Success or Mike
Smith about Amazombie or Jill Baffert about Game On
Dude – and how these horses never forget them.

And what about breeding? While many people
believe that a top pedigree is needed for classic success,
Hall of Famer Silver Charm is a son of Silver Deputy,
who raced but twice at age two, and out of Bonnie’s
Poker, a tough old girl who never won a stakes. And he’s
turned out on his left front. War Emblem, with similar
credentials, is by Our Emblem, a sprinter who never
sired anything remotely close to him again.

War Emblem came to us as a tough customer. He
would bite and kick at the slightest provocation, even
after he was gelded. It was his way or the highway. And,
once we started to comply with his wishes, he began
settling down. While, thank goodness, he hasn’t lost
any of his haughty self-respect and he’s still the boss,
he has made it very clear what he likes and doesn’t
like. He allows me to now scratch his back, and farm
manager Tim Wilson has picked out his feet without a
lead shank.

A key attribute in all these retirees is their remark-
able intelligence and ability to adapt. During their
racing, breeding, and possible eventing and trail-riding
careers, they must accommodate their owners and
trainers. When they arrive here, the shoe is clearly on
the other hoof. They train us. And that’s where their
intelligence clearly manifests itself. These horses are
great teachers.

A lot smarter than their pupils.
Visitors to Old Friends see the warmth, intelligence,
and character of our residents daily.

PAGE 2 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

HONORING
OUR MISSION

Founded by horsemen, Keeneland’s mission to reinvest
in the industry continues to guide us to this day. Our
world-class racing and industry-leading sales fund
initiatives that strengthen the sport year after year.

Through the dedication and loyalty of our horsemen,
customers and fans, we look forward to proudly

advancing this mission for many decades to come.

The Baffert collection

BarBara D. Livingston

Bob Baffert has trained six Old Friends residents, including Game On Dude, above, who won 14 graded races and earned $6.5 million before retiring.

By Jay Hovdey The image of Bob Baffert and his first champion when people visit they discover horses who deserve this
having a moment to themselves, far from the glare of kind of retirement just as much.”
It takes a little effort to visit Old Friends. The farm Silver Charm’s glory days in Louisville, Baltimore, and
is closer to Georgetown than the Lexington hub, with Dubai, is somehow reassuring. For a game that revels Bob Baffert trained six Old Friends retirees for all
modest markings off a state road and a climb to the in its loud pageantry and desperate competition, there or part of their careers. Besides Silver Charm, there is
farmhouse headquarters, sitting hard by a memorial is value in its long stretches of quiet and calm. dual classic winner and champion War Emblem, multi-
garden blooming with the markers of the Thorough- millionaire Game On Dude, stakes winner Danthe-
breds who have lived and died there. For years, fans have flocked to Old Friends to bask in bluegrassman, allowance race winner Jimbo Fallon,
the glow of horse heroes, along with the owners, jock- and Sarava, the 2002 Belmont Stakes winner who was
Michael Blowen, the man behind Old Friends, eys, and trainers who look to an Old Friends visit as a trained by Baffert at ages 4 and 5.
happened to look out the farmhouse kitchen window special pilgrimage. The Baffert family is among many
one afternoon in the direction of the paddock where who make the farm a regular stop whenever they travel According to Blowen, Baffert breathed a sigh of relief
Silver Charm lives. This is something he does often, to the Bluegrass. when Game On Dude retired to Old Friends in late 2014
Silver Charm being one of the headline retirees at Old after a career that included an unprecedented three
Friends Farm, as well as a pretty cool old horse. Blowen, a former journalist, has tapped into the victories in the Santa Anita Handicap and earnings of
celebrity-driven culture to present Old Friends as a nearly $6.5 million. The gelded son of Awesome Again
On this particular afternoon, Blowen noticed a lone living museum for equine works of art. Such splashy had been a part of the Baffert stable for more than four
figure at the paddock fence, his white hair a match of names as Gulch, Sunshine Forever, Precisionist, Char- years, and to say he was a barn favorite is a rank under-
Silver Charm’s flea-bitten, bleached-out gray. The horse ismatic, and Alphabet Soup have topped the Old Friends statement.
and man appeared to be locked in a special moment of marquee since the farm was opened in 2003.
wordless conversation, as private as two brothers. “I love him so,” Jill Baffert said. “Like American
“That’s true,” said Jill Baffert, who had a career in Pharoah, he was the sweetest little horse. He had the
“It was Bob,” Blowen said. “Just him and the horse. TV broadcasting before her marriage to Bob. “But Old last stall at the end of the shed row, and when he’d hear
No family, no entourage. I gave them a while before I Friends accepts all kinds of horses, no matter what my voice he would stick his head out of his stall and
went out to say hello.” kind of career they had. It’s the famous horses that nicker.
might attract attention and help the farm survive, but
“We had him for a long time, which is unusual,

PAGE 4 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM Continued on page 6

Donate to Florida Salutes
change lives Old Friends

at Florida Florida-breds
Thoroughbred
Retirement Silver Charm
Foundation, Tour of the Cat
Little Mike
801 SW 60th Ave.,
Ocala FL 34474

The program gives in-
mates an opportunity to
learn equine skills so they
can find employment in
Florida’s equine industry after
release. The farm is funded
by Florida Thoroughbred
Charities, a subsidiary of
Florida Thoroughbred
Breeders’ and Owners’
Association.

SateLcoowneldl CCohrreacnticoneaFl Ianrsmtitute

CH Registration number (CH8627) issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES
BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Silver Charm, winner
of the 1997 Derby for
Baffert, is one of the top
attractions for visitors to
Old Friends.

Continued from page 4 BarBara D.Livingston was almost as if people couldn’t even take that first
step, because it was so overwhelming.”
because when Bob has a good horse they’re usually While the crowd tittered in contempt, Baffert
off to stud. What surprises me a little bit, is that he’s stepped up with a deadpan reply that went something But those steps were taken, by groups like the
kind of an alpha horse in his paddock at Old Friends, like: “You know, Mr. Zayat and I had a long talk about Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, California
because he was such a teddy bear at the barn, always it, and we really feel Pharoah has done all that we’ve Equine Retirement Fund, and many others, to a
laid back. But he’s still a sweetheart whenever I see asked him to do. So we decided we just retire him to point at which there are literally scores of organiza-
him.” Old Friends.” tions now dedicated to the aftercare of racehorses,
with umbrella certification and funding provided by
Bob’s retort? Even though American Pharoah seemed to be the the industry-funded Thoroughbred Aftercare Alli-
“I’m glad he’s with you at Old Friends,” the trainer kind of horse who made his own luck, Baffert wasn’t ance.
told Blowen. “Now I’m back to number one with Jill.” taking any chances. Karma has its dues. After the
Silver Charm also arrived at Old Friends in late colt won the subsequent Belmont Stakes and with it “I feel so proud of what the industry has done,” Jill
2014 after being repatriated by former owner Beverly the Triple Crown, Blowen was heading back at the went on. “There are a lot of wonderful organizations,
Lewis following the end of his stallion career in Japan. barns, mingling with the celebratory crowd, when but I feel like Old Friends has in some ways brought
When the Bafferts hit Kentucky in the spring of 2015, he got a call from racing writer Steve Haskin. the issue to the forefront.”
with American Pharoah heading for the Kentucky
Derby, a sidetrip to Old Friends seemed like a natural. “Did you hear what Bob just said at the press In retirement at Old Friends, horses can relax into
“Bob’s first visit was the Thursday before Ameri- conference?” Haskin asked. their own legacies, without fear of redefinition.
can Pharoah ran in the Kentucky Derby,” Blowen
recalled. “I guess after what happened in the Triple Blowen had not. “Game On Dude brought so much joy to our
Crown he considered us part of his good luck.” “He’s giving Old Friends $50,000!” family,” Jill said. “And not just by the races he
And part of his schtick, like this post-Preakness Such a sum is a significant drop in a very large won. There were all the people who shared in the
exchange, when a reporter not fully briefed on the bucket. The mission of Old Friends is part of a moments, and the excitement he generated.
workings of the Triple Crown asked where American broader effort by those in the industry who feel an
Pharoah would appear next in the wake of his Derby obligation to account for the health and welfare of “It’s hard to reconcile how you become attached to
and Preakness triumphs. their horses after they are no longer able to be mone- horses, but you know it’s going to be a finite amount
tized as competitors or bloodstock investments. to that relationship. When you visit them at a place
“It doesn’t feel like it was that many years ago like Old Friends, it all comes back to you. There they
when it seemed like an insurmountable challenge are – happy and well cared for by people who love
– like where do we even start?” Jill Baffert said. “It them. And noble.”

PAGE 6 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

SALLEEHORSEVANS.COM

The buddy system

BarBara D.Livingston

Rapid Redux, left, and Amazombie are compatible mates who love to run around their paddock together or rush the fence when carrots are offered.

By Mary Simon were soothed by a palomino named Pumpkin. Starspangledheat were moved into herd situations due
Nowhere are the joys of equine companionship more to temperament conflicts with their mates. Racketeer
“My ladies have promised I shall never be sold, so took the opposite path, going from herd to couple.
I have nothing to fear. And here my story ends. My visible today than at Old Friends Thoroughbred retire-
troubles are all over, I am at home.” ment home in Georgetown, Ky. Although the facility is When a lasting match is made a bromance can flower,
home to high-profile stallions and small, happy herds with lovely, sometimes entertaining results.
– Black Beauty of geldings and mares, tourist favorites always seem
to include several prominently placed gelding pairs. Following are some of the noted pairs at Old Friends:
Mammals require certain basics to survive, whether Each has its own special character and since horses are
dwelling on land or at sea, on two or four legs, with fins hierarchal by nature, most teams are comprised of an Special Ring and Popcorn Deelites
or flappers. Despite profound physical differences, none “alpha” and a “beta” personality. And in this setting
can exist without air, water, and caloric intake. where all are regarded as fundamentally equal, the Special Ring and Popcorn Deelites, two of the farm’s
alpha was not always the best racehorse. most popular residents, are a match seemingly made
And just as the warm-blooded body requires contin- in heaven and exemplars of Old Friends’s egalitarian
ual nourishment, so must the soul be tended to. For Geldings at Old Friends are placed together accord- world – Ring a multiple Grade 1 winner of $1 million and
many that entails a sense of togetherness – the prox- ing to physical and temperamental compatibility. Farm Pop a slow-footed, hard-trying claimer who attained
imity of trusted companions who contribute to our manager Tim Wilson employs a trial-and-error method fame as a portrayer of Seabiscuit in the 2003 movie of
well-being and security. This is how we are wired. As to see what works – a fluid process that changes over that name (ironically, he performed racing scenes).
gregarious social creatures, we are at our best, and time as the needs of individual horses change. For They are inseparable.
happiest, as members of pairs, families, packs, or herds. example, $6.5 million-earner Game On Dude went
through three companions following his 2014 arrival During their several years together, the devoted duo
Horses are like people in their sociality, having before connecting last summer with his fourth. One has come up with a routine as funny as any vaudeville
evolved through millennia as animals whose very previous pasture pal had become too aggressive; anoth- act. Ring amuses visitors by flipping his upper lip on
survival depended on others of their kind. Some er’s old injury prevented him from keeping up with the the voice command: “Show your tattoo.” Woefully
believe horses are simple and soulless, incapable of playful Grade 1 winner; a third longtime buddy left unable to perform this trick, Pop, in response, twists
true attachment, but evidence has often proven other- with a neurological ailment. his head sideways wearing a pained expression while
wise: Hall of Famer Exterminator was utterly devoted wiggling his mouth. Both are rewarded with carrots,
to his pony friend, Peanuts, while Seabiscuit’s nerves While some duos seem set in stone, others – as with likely consuming more than any horses on the farm not
Dude – remain works in progress. Jimbo Fallon and named Silver Charm.

PAGE 8 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Rapid Redux and Amazombie

Wilson has called them “Beavis and Butthead,”
and while the reference may not apply perfectly,
it does underscore the goofiness of this relatively
youthful pair. On the track, they could not have been
more different. Zombie was America’s 2011 champion
sprinter and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He
was a happy warrior who brought that sweet tempera-
ment with him to Old Friends. Redux, conversely, is
a full-blown alpha male, who between 2010 and 2012
proved unbeatable in $5,000 starter-allowance races
from ages 4 to 6. In winning 22 consecutive races, he
established a modern American record, a feat that
earned him a Special Eclipse Award in 2012.

The two present quite a picture these days romp-
ing together in their paddock or excitedly rushing
the fence for carrots. With pinned ears and a menac-
ing head toss toward Zombie, Redux makes sure he’s
always first in line.

Game On Dude and Little Mike BarBara D.Livingston

The old adage “third time’s a charm” seemed true Little Mike (left) and Game On Dude are a top attraction for visitors to Old Friends as they made a
for Game On Dude … until this past summer. After lasting impression on the track, collectively earning more than $10 million and winning 23 stakes.
Yankee Fourtune and Starspangledheat failed to work
out for different reasons, the triple Santa Anita Handi- City Hall became a team. racing’s basement – $2,000 claiming at Portland Mead-
cap winner appeared to have found an ideal match in Named for Kentucky governor A.B. “Happy” ows. Even so, he was loved at that small Oregon track
Ohio-bred millionaire Catlaunch. When the two could where his 100th start was publicly celebrated. Over
be bothered to interrupt their busy grazing/loung- Chandler’s son Dan, Danthebluegrassman raced as a 10 seasons, City Hall was claimed nine times, won 15
ing schedule to approach the fence, Dude invariably stallion, won three stakes, and was 50-1 morning-line races, competed at 13 tracks under 47 different jockeys,
won the “race” for any delectable tidbit up for offer. for the 2002 Kentucky Derby (won by Old Friends resi- and banked $268,199 before his well-earned 2015 retire-
While the longtime cribber paused between chews to dent War Emblem), before scratching. He campaigned ment.
compulsively chomp the fence rail, Cat would sidle up through age 9 and was claimed for tags ranging from
cautiously to accept his own reward – then beat a hasty $62,500 down to $5,000, the latter prompting a social These days, the two buddies contentedly roam their
retreat. media poster to lament: “Good Lord, retire this old pasture, only occasionally approaching the fence for
soldier! Hasn’t he done enough?” Others agreed and carrots.
Last summer, Catlaunch was diagnosed with EPM worked together to give Dan a forever home. His early
(equine protozoal myeloencephalitis), a treatable non- life at Old Friends life was eventful. As a newly minted Dinard, Early Pioneer, and Archie’s Echo
contagious neurological disease that can cause some gelding, good-natured Dan became part of a children’s
loss of coordination. Clearly, he could no longer be research project on the effect of music on horses; he Farther down the lane are curmudgeonly Dinard
expected keep up with his rambunctious pasture pal. served as official mascot of Kentucky Horse Park’s and Early Pioneer, longtime mates joined in Septem-
Enter Little Mike. 2008 Festival of the Bluegrass; he was the subject of a ber by Archie’s Echo. Incredibly, in 2018, the combined
song-writing contest; and he took part in a Keeneland ages of this geriatric trio is 82 years.
Mike and Dude make an interesting combo. Born a paddock exhibition.
month apart in 2007, each went on to become a near- Dinard, at 30, is the farm’s most senior citizen; 27
champion in his own realm – Little Mike, a Grade By his 103rd start, Fighting City Hall had reached
1-winning machine on grass; Game On Dude, a Continued on page 10
monster over California dirt and synthetics – together
earning more than $10 million. Both are young, sound,
and full of energy, and both have strong, dominant
personalities. The long-term success of this pairing
remains to be seen. Stay tuned.

Danthebluegrassman and Fighting City Hall

Adjacent to the quarantine barn is a less-famous
duo by farm standards. Initially they were a three-
some – Danthebluegrassman, Fighting City Hall,
and Flick. When the latter passed in 2016, Dan and

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 9

springtimes past he looked to be a champion in the there. While royally bred Eldaafer preferred dirt, racing careers of varying success – Latin was a
making and was favored for the 1991 Kentucky Derby Boule d’Or was a turf specialist of modest lineage. stakes-placed winner of $439,729 and 15th in War
before injury ended the dream. Upon retirement, the After winning the graded 2008 San Luis Rey Handi- Emblem’s Kentucky Derby, while Hussonfirst was a
gelded son of Strawberry Road became a cherished, cap, the Irish-bred began a steep class descent, sadly lightly raced maiden winner – each was dismissed
family pet until his donation to Old Friends in 2010. ending up as so many do in low-level company. As as a riding horse upon retirement.
Unhappy initially in a herd setting, Dinard eventually a $500,000-earner Boule made racing’s “Top Bunk”
landed a suitable companion in Hollywood Gold Cup watch list. Word got out, and with assistance Blowen Latin, described by the Kentucky Department of
hero Early Pioneer. brought him home to Old Friends. Agriculture as a “flea-bitten gray,” has a chronic
nasal discharge due to throat surgery. Hussonfirst
Following a distinguished Grade 1 track career, Arson Squad and I’m Charismatic suffered bone and suspensory injuries that ended a
Earl had been retired in 2001 to a “safe place” – which once-promising career.
turned out to be anything but. At 13, he was sold for a Yet another example of Old Friends’s egalitarian
song to compete on Nevada’s unsanctioned fair circuit. system can be found midway down the main artery When he arrived as a 3-year-old in 2008, Husson
When his true identity was discovered, the millionaire of the farm. Arson Squad was the vastly superior was the youngest horse at Old Friends. For a time,
was brought to Old Friends through the kindness of racehorse of this twosome, having been a bicoastal this pair resided at Old Friends’s Kentucky Downs
strangers. stakes winner of $1.1 million while defeating some division before relocating to the Georgetown farm.
of racing’s best.
Newcomer Archie’s Echo represents another happy Racketeer and Skip’s World
ending for racing. The ancient 29-year-old chestnut As his name implies, I’m Charismatic is by dual
with the widely blazed face that can be seen from miles classic winner Charismatic, who died at Old Friends Racketeer and Skip’s World were brought together
away, won several low-level races in New England a too soon after his arrival. Unlike Arson, this career last year after a brawny youngster named Jimbo
quarter-century ago and earned just $32,324. What claimer ground out his $200,000 bankroll the hard Fallon proved too much for Skip to handle.
happened next is uncertain, but 20 years after his final way, never in 92 starts resembling a stakes horse.
start, he was rescued – skeletal and half-blind – from a After he trailed in 24 lengths in arrears for a $3,500 In 2012, a thin Racketeer had been discovered in
pen at New Holland Sales. claiming price at Beulah Park, fans Mary and Jason a California feedlot, just 24 hours away from head-
Matthews acquired the gelding and secured a home ing to slaughter. Rescued by breeder Adena Springs
In color, Earl, Archie, and Dinard offer strik- for him at Old Friends. and Neigh Savers, the $400,000 earner came to Old
ing contrasts; the first two are bright chestnuts, Friends in September that year.
the latter as close to black as they come. Prior to Arson Squad has an important job these days and
Archie’s inclusion, Early Pioneer clearly regarded has matured into it nicely. He serves as a patient It took the gangly gray Skip’s World 14 tries to win
himself as head honcho, often pinning his ears companion to I’m Charismatic, who has lost his his maiden for Carolyn Hine, who had previously
and opening his mouth like a T. Rex toward his vision over time to a progressive eye disease. I’m raced his Hall of Fame grandsire Skip Away (who is
older companion whenever carrots appeared. But Charismatic follows Arson Squad across their buried at Old Friends). After a particularly dismal
Dinard never really bought it, mostly ignoring his paddock, taking physical cues from Arson when performance, Hine retired Skip in 2016 and kindly
blustering bud. When Archie arrived, by now filled arriving fence-side to greet visitors. donated him to Old Friends.
out and glowing with good health, Dinard took to
him like Romeo to Juliette … and understandably Highland Ack and Northern Stone Tuneintobow and Beau Cashin’ In
so. Unlike bossy, sometimes irritable Earl, Archie
is one of the sweetest horses you’ll ever meet. One Much has been made of New York Old Friends resi- An Old Friends couple as of last August was
farm employee described Earl these days as a bit dent Zippy Chippy’s famous 100-race losing streak. Tuneintobow and Beau Cashin’ In. The former was
on the outside looking in, and wondering: “What But Kentucky’s division has a pair who also made given to the farm by Drawing Away Stable follow-
happened?” losing an art form. Though lacking fame, glory, and ing an unproductive career that netted three claim-
bold-type names, these two graze together today like ing wins. To ensure he would never run again, the
Eldaafer and Boule d’Or equine kings. words “RETIRED FROM RACING” are emblazoned
in bold caps across his Jockey Club papers.
Eldaafer and Boule d’Or are a relatively new pair- Highland Ack was beaten 134 lengths in six
ing. But even before Boule showed up in Eldaafer’s starts, the last for a $3,500 tag. Relinquished in 2014 Beau Cashin’ In is the senior member here by 13
pasture last year, the millionaire son of A.P. Indy by a financially strapped owner, the aged gelding years and is the only non-Thoroughbred residing at
had plenty of company. arrived sick at Rood and Riddle vet clinic where he Old Friends – not counting goats and cats. (Despite
was treated for pneumonia before heading to Old his registration with the American Quarter Horse
Those who suggest cross-species bonding can’t Friends. Association, Beau is more than half Thoroughbred.)
happen need only look to Eldaafer and his goat pals A 250-yard winner for a $5,000 tag, his claim to fame
Yahoo and Google for refutal. The goats remain in Northern Stone has six shots of Man o’ War cours- is that he once served as an ontrack post-Preakness
the paddock today, and it’s crystal clear who their ing through his veins, but like his mate, he was interview mount during a television broadcast.
horse is – they follow Eldaafer everywhere. achingly slow – beaten in three starts by an aver-
age of 39 lengths. Though considerably younger The Old Friends geldings come in all sizes, shapes,
Blowen tells of how Google stayed in Florida than Highland Ack, 13-year-old “Rocky” appears and colors. Some are ancient, others fresh off the
while Eldaafer shipped north for the 2010 Breed- perfectly paired in all other ways with his 27-year- track; a few are boldly assertive, others shy, and
ers’ Cup Marathon; when the gelding suffered a old companion. Unlike other buddy teams, these some a bit aloof. They range from rich and famous
meltdown, Google was swiftly sent for. Alternately, aloof fellows rarely appear fence-side, preferring to virtually unknown, but each is a one-of-a-kind
when Eldaafer headed off to be saddled on Cup Day, instead the lush grass of their pasture. character worthy of attention from doting fans – and
Google threw such a fit he made his pal late for the physically, all are what writer Charlie Hatton called
post parade. But all ended well – Eldaafer came back Lusty Latin and Hussonfirst “a creation of the sublime artist – Nature.”
a winner.
Near the back of the farm, quietly compat- When you come to Old Friends be sure to stop and
Like Eldaafer, Boule was a late bloomer who ible Lusty Latin and Hussonfirst hold court. After say hello to these equine masterpieces. We’ll supply
could run all day; both dark bays were retired at 8 the carrots.
and became “roomies” last year. All likeness ends

PAGE 10 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Game On Dude

We salute Old Friends and thank them
for taking care of some of our favorite friends

who raced at Gulfstream Park.

Photos: BarBara D.Livingston

Meet our tour guides

BarBara D.Livingston

Old Friends relies on a dedicated core of tour guides to make the experience entertaining and educational for thousands of annual visitors.

By Cynthia Grisolia Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I was looking for Most wonderful tour moment: I was taking a
something to do in my retirement. I had always loved bus tour around and had stopped to introduce Rapid
At Old Friends, our lifeblood is the dedicated group horses, and I happened on Old Friends by chance. On Redux. As I described his winning of a Special Eclipse
of volunteers that help us in every aspect of our opera- my tour around the farm I thought, “I could do this.” Award, I would reach back to give him a carrot. But
tion. But we must say, our tour guides are maybe the So I became a tour guide. Aside from getting to know the group started laughing. I turned around to see
most devoted – if not steadfast – of them all. Like our all of the wonderful horses, I get to meet so many Rapid Redux making faces, and I played along with
horses, most of our guides are retirees from many interesting people from all over the United States. his antics. I told the group I felt like my little brother
walks of life, others use free time away from their day Many of the tour guides are retirees like me. One day, was standing behind me making fun of me. It made
jobs to lend a hand. But all of them are unrivaled when on a rainy tour, I told Michael Blowen that I came to me happy to see the visitors enjoying the “horse and
it comes to greeting our nearly 20,000 annual visitors, Old Friends to be with my peers. There was truth in pony” show.
showing them around the farm and sharing – with that. The people at Old Friends all have their own
compassion and enthusiasm, not to mention great style, are kind, patient, work hard, and are as differ- The reviews are in: “Linda is quiet and unassum-
aplomb – the tales of victories, agonies of defeats, and ent as you and me. ing and brings wonderful calm to the horses and our
human narratives behind the careers of our equine visitors. She’s new to horse racing, but is proving to be
athletes. Here are the tour guides you’ll see on your Favorite horse: Sarava. In 2002, he raced in the a fast learner.” (Folks in the office)
visit to Old Friends. Belmont Stakes against War Emblem, the favored
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, and he won! I Tour times: Linda is usually on the Monday and
LINDA BANNIGAN am a great believer in perseverance winning the day, Friday 3 p.m. tour.
even when the odds are against you.
Originally from: I usually just say that I grew up LAURA BATTLES
in Maryland and in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Favorite race: The race world is new to me, but I
This is true, because as my father made more money did go to the Charles Town, West Virginia, track in Originally from: Dallas, Texas
we moved to bigger, nicer homes. 1973. I made one bet on a small bay Thoroughbred Besides Old Friends: I program computers to
that was very muscular; he looked like an athlete to finance my travels to attend races all around the
Before Old Friends: I worked as an elementary me. I chose him based on his conformation knowing world.
school teacher when I was young and as a high school nothing about playing the odds. I made a $2 bet. As it Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I am a lifelong
health teacher as I got older. The older I got, the taller turned out the odds on him were 40-1, and I was very racing fan and feel like a kid in a candy store with all
the students had to be. excited to go home with $80 in my pocket. these wonderful horses I have followed throughout
my life. To get to know these guys (and gals) person-

PAGE 12 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

ally is a great privilege. BarBara D.Livingston KENNETH HAWES
Favorite horse: Childhood hero: Forego. Adult
Charlie Brown, a former field rep for a hospital Originally from: Lincoln, R.I.
favorite: Cirrus des Aigles. Old Friends favorite: Bint equipment company in Washington, D.C., now Before Old Friends: I was a business manager/
Marscay, of course! (Editor’s note: Laura is Binty’s leads tours two days a week at Old Friends. accountant for a non-profit conservation organization
“person,” and helps to care for her daily.) west of Boston.
with his human troop. With the horses, it was pure Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I was inter-
Favorite race: That’s a hard one. I will have to pick love and admiration – and carrots!” (From a comment ested in getting to know the Thoroughbreds, getting
two – one from childhood and one from adulthood. on Trip Advisor) to know their personalities, quirks, etc. – beyond just
Childhood favorite was Forego’s 1976 win in the Marl- knowing them as racing athletes.
boro Cup. Adult favorite: Cirrus des Aigles defeating Michael adds: “Tom is our best-looking tour guide. Favorite horse: Before I started to volunteer at Old
Treve in the 2014 Prix Ganay. I was there and never It says so on the back of his Old Friends cap, so it must Friends, I would have answered Afleet Alex due to his
thought Cirrus could do it, but he showed the heart be true.” athleticism – having almost fallen in the Preakness
of a champion that day coming back after the filly Stakes, he quickly gathered himself together, kept
passed him and winning! Tour times: Tom is on duty Monday afternoons. on running, and won the race easily. Since working
at Old Friends, I have to say it is Silver Charm. The
Most wonderful tour moment: I was taking a CHARLIE BROWN horse, at 23, still glides when he moves and has person-
group of adults with special needs around the farm. ality traits unlike any of the other horses. He poses for
One of the older men in the group was wearing gloves Originally from: Erie, Pa. pictures and is a very kind horse. Even though he’s
and would not feed the horses. When we got over to Before Old Friends: I was a field representative for not a lover of being petted, he will never attempt to
Pops and Ring (Popcorn Deelites and Special Ring), he a hospital equipment company, Steris Corp., working bite but simply turn his head away. When you look at
suddenly whipped off his glove, took a carrot and fed out of Washington, D.C., for 38 years. his eyes you can see equine wisdom in them. In fact,
the boys. He then put the glove back on and stepped Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I really like almost human!
back. The woman who was escorting the group gave being with visitors from all over the world and giving Favorite race: The race I will never ever forget
me a look of disbelief as he never took off his gloves to them info about all of the horses. was American Pharoah finally capturing the Triple
touch anything. Horses are great to all people. Favorite horse: Ogygian. My wife, Charlene, just Crown at Belmont, ending the 37-year drought. Being
fell in love with him when we first visited Old Friends part of the crowd that day was a truly unique expe-
The reviews are in: “In addition to being a top- in 2005. (Editor’s note: Ogygian passed away in 2015.) rience as every single person was pulling for AP to
notch tour guide, Laura is our resident photographer, Favorite race: 1973 Belmont when Secretariat won finally get the job done. We all felt we were part of one
chronicling the day-to-day lives of our horses through by 31 lengths. It took place during my 10th high school giant creature, willing and urging him on to victory.
amazing images, many of which can be seen on our reunion. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event that really grabbed
website and daily on our Facebook page.” (Folks in the Funniest tour question I’ve had: Well, telling all me emotionally. It choked me up as we went back to
office). of my “adult” stories is always funny. the paddock area hoping to get a glimpse of him before
The reviews are in: “We decided to take the walk- he went back to the barn.
Tour times: Laura often helps with overflow on ing tour and we all had a very enjoyable afternoon. Funniest tour question I’ve had: Not sure I
busy weekends Our tour guide was named Charlie Brown (honest!), would call it funny, but it always strikes me that when
a veritable fountain of knowledge.” (From a comment we are doing a tour, and we get to War Emblem’s
TOM BEATTY on Trip Advisor) double-fenced paddock, and I always ask visitors,
Michael adds: “Charlie has great hair, too.” “Why do you think we have two fences here?” Almost
Originally from: Louisville, Ky. Tour times: Charlie is here on Tuesday and Thurs- without fail someone will respond, “Because he might
Before Old Friends: I was a career Air Force offi- day at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. He and Ellen Zehnder often jump the fence,” not realizing that some stallions can
cer for 21 years. Later, I was the television program- join forces on the 1 p.m. tour. be biters.
ming director at Ball State University for 13 years. The reviews are in: “Ken also volunteers at
Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I’ve been a horse Keeneland as a ‘Bet-ologist,’ so if you press him, he’ll
racing fan my entire life, and I wanted to help take probably give you a hot tip or two.” (Folks in the office)
care of these wonderful animals and tell their stories. Tour time: You can meet Ken and his fiancée,
Favorite horse: Swan’s Way. Swannie was a survi- Joyce Patci, on Mondays at 1 p.m.
vor, the last of our founding stallions, and a true blue-
collar worker. He raced until he was 15, had 81 starts MATTHEW KISTENMACHER
overall, and paltry earnings ($64,715) to show for it.
But he hung in there, doing the best he could, and that Originally from: Baltimore, Md.
has to count for something. He was always happy to Besides Old Friends: I work in the film industry,
see me. I didn’t know horses could snore until I met on motion-picture lighting. (Editor’s note: Matthew
Swannie. RIP, Swannie! (Editor’s note: Swan’s Way and his wife, Kim, spend half the year in Hollywood!)
passed away in April 2017.) Why I volunteer at Old Friends: Because my
Favorite race: Without a doubt, Belterra Park, June grandfather took me to the track at Santa Anita when
24, 2016, Race 1 – My horse, Fourinthemorning, wins I was about 5 years old, and I began reading that
his first race! Second favorite race: 2004 Kentucky program nightly for years afterward. Also, because
Derby won by Smarty Jones. Smarty Jones’s brood- someone needs to tell Rapid Redux to behave.
mare sire was Smile, the sire of Swan’s Way. Favorite horse: My heart is with Genuine Reward,
Funniest tour question I’ve had: Not necessarily but my soul is with Rapid Redux!
funny, but definitely the most-asked question: “Why Favorite race: It should be Zenyatta’s win in the
are some horse farm fences white and others black?”
The reviews are in: “Tom, our tour guide, was Continued on page 14
very knowledgeable about the horses. His patience
with the children was great. Encouraging and teach-
ing, chatting and listening, were the tools he used

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 13

2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, but I’m going to go with Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I remember Besides Old Friends: I was an international blood-
her loss the following year in 2010. Watching her walk most of the horses here as racehorses. I remember the stock agent in Kentucky and I owned and managed
in with flashbulbs going off all the way from the far Arlington Million that Estrapade won, for example. I my own racehorse training farm in New Zealand
end of the grandstand to the paddock at twilight was was there, and I even bet on her. I love sharing their from 1999 to 2011. I am a lifelong professional horse-
the best racing moment I’ve ever experienced. stories with others. War Emblem was a Chicago horse man – owner, buyer, consultant, pre-trainer, breeder,
before he went on to national fame. and bloodstock agent for 30 years, buying eight future
Funniest tour question I’ve ever had: On a champions. I am also an author and racing-blood-
children’s group tour I warned everyone to keep Favorite horse: War Emblem, through his Chicago stock columnist. I did the breeding recommendation
their distance from Sarava because he was “bitey.” A connections. that produced Black Tie Affair, who won the Breed-
little girl raised her hand and asked me what “bitey” ers’ Cup Classic, was Horse of the Year, and eventu-
meant. Before I could respond, a loud “Owwwww” The reviews are in: “Steve is our newest guide, but ally an Old Friends retiree.
came from the fence. She then did not need an answer, he’s broken from the gate smoothly and we’re antici-
and turned to the victim and said, “Hey! He said he pating a strong finish. He has the advantage of having Why I volunteer at Old Friends: It’s gratifying
was bitey!” There were no injuries to report. seen so many of our horses during the racing careers, to see the tourists’ enthusiasm for the horses and
which brings a great personal element to the tours.” the sport. I love to share my knowledge and I really
The reviews are in: “Matthew is just an encyclo- (Folks in the office) admire Michael Blowen’s enthusiasm.
pedia of great information about the horses and about
racing – his passion is contagious. And we think it’s Tour times: Steve fills in and helps with group Favorite horses: Poochie – she was a polo pony and
so cool that he leaves his Hollywood celebs for a few tours whenever his schedule allows. she taught me everything about horse psychology. She
months out of the year to come and talk about our was brilliant. She had an IQ that would have gotten
equine celebs.” (Folks in the office) JOYCE PATCI her into Mensa. At Old Friends, it’s pretty much all of
them, but Silver Charm is my absolute favorite.
Tour times: Matthew doesn’t have a regular slot Originally from: Columbia, Mo.
but fills in whenever he’s town. Before Old Friends: I was a transportation coordi- Favorite race: The breathtaking 1973 Grand
nator for Collette Travel in Pawtucket, R.I. National when Crisp was just overcome by Red Rum,
JANE MCCLAREN Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I have always who was 15 lengths behind after the final fence. Watch
loved horses. Read any and all books about horses this superb race on YouTube and admire their bril-
Originally from: St. Louis, Mo. while growing up: “Black Beauty, The Black Stallion” liance and courage.
Before Old Friends: I was in sales and non-profit series, etc. It is an honor and privilege to be around
fundraising. I also worked along with a sterling board the horses at Old Friends. If I’m having a bad day, a Funniest tour question I’ve ever had: “Why are
of prestigious horsemen to create the Southern Pines “horse fix” at the farm will always cheer me up. there flies?”
Sport Horse Foundation, which would offer a retire- Favorite horse: Affirmed Success. Affirmed was
ment solution for show horses – from polo to dressage, my favorite horse of all time, and I always tried to The reviews are in: “Doug has brought interna-
steeplechase to driving, and jumpers. It never came follow as many of his offspring as possible. It was such tional flair to Old Friends! And he has a great sense of
to fruition, but that’s how I met Michael Blowen. I a thrill for me to see Affirmed Success at his trainer humor.” (Folks in the office)
wanted to see what Old Friends and other operating Richard Schosberg’s barn in Saratoga. I actually got
retirements were doing. to feed him mints and wondered why they called him Tour times: Doug also fills in and helps with group
Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I’m paying back Gator. It’s like a dream come true to be able to spend tours whenever his schedule allows.
all the wonderful equine partners I’ve had in my time with him and spoil him rotten.
life, while continuing to promote healthy, stress-free Favorite race: Before the 2015 Triple Crown came BETH TASHERY SHANNON
retirement for our horses. along, I would have said Rachel Alexandra’s Haskell.
Favorite horse: I love and honor them all, from We made a trip to New Jersey just to see her race, and Originally from: Lexington, Ky.
coal-mining ponies to Grand Prix jumpers. On tours, we were not disappointed! Then along came Ameri- Besides Old Friends: I have a master’s in ancient
if I am asked who my favorite horse is, I usually can Pharoah. After so many frustrating Belmonts, it Egyptian art history and was on the staff of the Egypt
answer, “The one I’m standing in front of.” was a dream come true to see the 12th Triple Crown Exploration Society’s 1986 excavations at el-Amarna,
Favorite race: Toss up, Silver Charm’s Derby win winner cross the line. The roar of the crowd was deaf- but there aren’t many jobs teaching Egyptology, so I
and American Pharoah’s Triple-Crown-winning ening, and I nearly beat up the poor guy sitting next got a Ph.D. in English literature and became a visiting
Belmont – a real shot of hope. to me. assistant professor at Georgetown College. Living in
Funniest tour question I’ve had: “When is Little Funniest tour question I’ve had: It wasn’t horse- Georgetown meant I could become a tour guide at Old
Silver Charm going to be in a movie?” Maybe not so related, but it’s still my favorite. At the end of our tour, Friends. Now I design graphics and books and write
funny! a man asked, “Where do we buy those special fence novels. “The Heron”, a sequel to “Tanglevine”, will be
The reviews are in: “Our tour guide was Jane and boards?” I wasn’t sure what he meant, so he pointed published by BearCat Press at the end of 2017.
she was so entertaining and knowledgeable about the to a curvy old top board full of knot holes. At first, I Why I volunteer at Old Friends: Growing up in
horses. Her love of horses radiated, and I could tell thought he was joking, and I heard snickers from the Bluegrass means growing up around racing and
how truly passionate she is about her job.” (From a several people. With a straight face (which was diffi- breeding – Keeneland, Spendthrift, Claiborne Farm
comment on Trip Advisor) cult), I explained they weren’t “special” boards, they – the excitement of watching a great racehorse, was
Tour times: Jane’s here Saturday at 10 a.m. and get that look after many years of being out in the a thrill unlike any other. In 2003, my sister heard
Sunday at 1 p.m., but she’s always on hand for our elements. about Old Friends, so we phoned Michael Blowen and
many group tours throughout the week. The reviews are in: “Joyce’s passion for the horses he gave us “the great horseless tour” – three empty
is undeniable. She and fiancé, Ken Hawes, conduct paddocks at Afton Farm and wonderful dreams for
STEVE PALLARDY tours together and they offer an amazing 1-2 punch. the future. When Old Friends and I both happened to
She also cuts a mean carrot.” (Folks in the office) move to Georgetown in June 2006, the rest was inevi-
Originally from: Chicago, Ill. Tour time: You can meet Ken and Joyce on table. Every day these horses treat me to the greatest
Besides Old Friends: I have had many different Mondays at 1 p.m. beauty, courage, and fun quirkiness I’ve ever known.
jobs in the Thoroughbred industry – groom, cata- Favorite horse: Ogygian will always be the one.
log writer for the Jockey Club, research for a sales DOUG RAWNSLEY To groom him, share companionship with him, and
agency. I was also a bloodstock agent for 12 years and give him extra care as he gracefully negotiated the
have been with Twinspires.com for about 10 years. Originally from: Ireland. last decade of his extraordinary life made some of the
best times I’ve known. Other particular buddies are

PAGE 14 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Afternoon Deelites, Geri, Sun King and, of course, BarBara D.Livingston
Ogygian’s grandson Cherono and great-grandson
Johannesbourbon. But in the last few weeks – oh, Beth Shannon, who has a Ph.D. in English literature, has been a tour guide for years at the farm.
my! – I think I’m falling in love with Johannesburg
Smile. passed away in 2016.) All-time favorite: 1949 Triple nitis, Old Friends, and I became a horse owner. What
Crown winner Assault, “the club-foot comet!” better way to spend retirement than helping these
Favorite race: Just one? You’re kidding, right? magnificent animals that have earned a dignified
Most wonderful tour moment: When Ogygian Favorite race: The 2015 Belmont Stakes when retirement.
and Johnny Cincotta, who gave him his earliest American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. I watched
handling, were reunited after 31 years. the race on TV with some of my Old Friends “family” Favorite horse: I can’t do just one, has to be two.
The reviews are in: “I was especially impressed – Barbara, Beth, Diane, and Laura. When Pharoah Archie’s Echo and Silver Ray. Both came from less-
with Beth, our guide, who took time out of her sched- crossed the finish line we shared screams, hugs, than-ideal circumstances and came close to losing
ule to accommodate and allow me to see the particu- tears, and cheers. Racing needed a boost, fans needed their lives. They are kind, loving horses that can’t
lar horses I wanted. It was very kind of her to go above a winner after 37 years of waiting. What a horse! What get enough attention and hugs. Both are the same age
and beyond.” (From a post on Facebook) a thrill! and have been selected for a special diet of shredded
Michael adds: “Beth is an accomplished novelist carrots (Ray insists upon fresh shredded, not store
and her reviews are nearly as good as her tours.” Funniest tour question I’ve had: In a hushed bought), and both know they got a second chance at
Tour times: Beth’s tours are Saturday and Sunday tone, “Do horses get fleas?” life.
afternoon.
The reviews are in: “Our tour guide, Lisa, was Favorite race: Belmont 2007. Rags to Riches beat-
MERCER VANDENBURG amazing and so knowledgeable.” (From a post on ing Curlin to win. First filly in 102 years. I knew when
Facebook) I saw her in the paddock that day that she was going
Originally from: St. Louis, Mo. to be awesome.
Before Old Friends: I was an executive recruiter Tour times: Lisa is here Friday at 10 a.m. and
in the health information systems marketplace. I am 1 p.m. and often helps with big groups. Funniest tour question I’ve ever had: “So if a
also a retired Army officer. mare doesn’t get knocked up, what happens?”
Why I volunteer at Old Friends: As an avid horse ELLEN ZEHNDER
racing fan, I wanted to have the opportunity to meet The reviews are in: “My husband and I could
fans and talk about these great equine athletes. Originally from: Clarkston, Mich. have walked the farm all day and listened to Ellen.
Favorite horse: Oh, so many. Among those we’ve Before Old Friends: I worked for the 6th Circuit She has such passion for these beautiful creatures.
lost in recent years – Canadian champion Benburb, Court in Oakland County Michigan as the coordina- She appears to love them as her own children. No
The Wicked North, Marquetry, and Awad, who tor for the Adult Drug Treatment Court, a division of kidding.” (From a comment on Trip Advisor)
was the class clown. My favorite mare was Klassy Community Corrections.
Briefcase, a world-record holder who was the sweet- Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I owe it to Tour times: Ellen is a regular on Tuesday and
est mare on the farm. But current favorites include Barbaro. Without too much detail, because of him, I Thursday morning. She and Charlie Brown often tag-
Marshall Rooster, Arson Squad, Ide, and Game On learned about horse rescues, horse slaughter, lami- team on the 1 p.m. tour those days.
Dude.
Favorite cat: Bebe and Stephanie
Favorite race: The 1988 Breeders’ Cup – I hit the
pick six! – and Awad winning the Arlington Million
in 1996.
The reviews are in: “It was very apparent that our
guide, Mercer, really loves the horses and the mission
of the farm to retire these beautiful creatures in a
nurturing and safe environment.” (From a comment
on Trip Advisor)
Tour times: Meet Mercer on Monday and Wednes-
day morning.

LISA Q. WOOD

Originally from: Pensacola, Fla.
Why I volunteer at Old Friends: I have loved
horse racing since I was a little girl. I love Thor-
oughbreds. Being terrified of public speaking, I was
initially very reluctant to be a tour guide, but I quickly
realized I could share our amazing retirees with visi-
tors. I enjoy telling these horse’s stories, and further
reinforcing Old Friends’s mission for aftercare. I also
learn a lot from our visitors. I love the curiosity, the
interaction with our horses, the joy, the fun.
Favorite horse: At Old Friends, Wallenda. I loved
his fiery, cantankerous nature. It took me a long time
to win him over, but I did. I think of him every day
and miss him tremendously. (Editor’s note: Wallenda

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 15

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Old Friends has ‘cousin’ in Australia

BarBara D.Livingston

War Emblem is one of a number of horses Michael Blowen has brought back to the United States from overseas to retire to Old Friends. That model, of
getting horses who have national and international name recognition to a retirement farm for fans to see, is being adopted around the world.

By Joe Nevills Bullish Luck and Sacred Kingdom, and Melbourne Cup formation, Clarke said the Australian farm was modeled
winners Brew, Doriemus, Efficient, and Rogan Josh. closely on England’s Home of Rest for Horses, which is
The roster of Old Friends features horses that arrived now known as the Horse Trust. However, whereas the
from many points on the globe, but some of those places Shortly after his guests left, Blowen contacted Dr. Horse Trust houses all breeds, Living Legends focused
have their own take on the retirement farm model. Andrew Clarke, CEO and veterinary director of Living on Thoroughbreds, beginning with two-time Cox Plate
Legends, to learn more about the farm. The Australian winner Fields of Omagh.
Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old facility was within its first year of operation at the time,
Friends, said the number of international operations and the two quickly began exchanging ideas. Both Old Friends and Living Legends are popular
following the Old Friends model are few, but are dedi- tourist attractions and offer a place for fans to reconnect
cated operations. “Mostly the practical stuff,” Blowen said. “How you with their favorites from the past, but Living Legends is
support yourself; bringing in the money; bringing in the not a carbon copy of Old Friends.
In 2007, Blowen entertained a group of visitors from horses – the kind of nuts-and-bolts stuff.
Australia who told him about Living Legends, a recently In particular, the roster at Living Legends is
opened farm near Melbourne that housed some of the “I said, ‘Once you get the facility up and make it really comprised of only geldings and pensioned broodmares.
region’s most famous retired runners. nice, and then you get a few horses in there, people see it While this can limit the spectrum of horses the farm
and come up with better ideas on how to do it than you can take in, it also creates a new set of opportunities for
In 2017, Living Legends had 19 equine residents, have, and that’s what’s happened with us.’ interaction that might not be possible with the testoster-
including Australian Horses of the Year Better Loosen one of an entire horse, such as taking the farm’s legends
Up and Might and Power, Hong Kong Horses of the Year “That gives them a lightning rod for their generosity.”
While Old Friends was on Living Legends’s radar in its

PAGE 18 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

BARBARA D.LIVINGSTON ROOD & RIDDLE IS
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE
Silver Charm returned from stud duty in Japan to take up residence WORK OF OLD FRIENDS
in a prominent paddock at Old Friends and has been one of the most
popular horses with visitors. A WORLDWIDE LEADER IN EQUINE
VETERINARY HEALTH CARE
for visits to schools and public events. PROVIDING SERVICES IN:
“Living Legends has a very active community program,” Clarke said. With
AMBULATORY, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING,
the spring racing carnival, our horses go on the road attending race meetings INTERNAL MEDICINE, PODIATRY,
and promotional events. The day before the Melbourne Cup, we will parade REPRODUCTION, SUGERY
horses down Melbourne’s main street, Swanston Street, to the delight of large AND SPORT HORSE MEDICINE
crowds.

“These are high-profile events, but a lot of our best work is back at the
farm where we have visiting groups of seniors, school children, and disability
groups.

“Another very touching group of visitors are our ‘bucket-list visitors.’ These
are people who are facing their mortality, usually with a diagnosis of terminal
cancer. For these people, when everything else is peeled away, it is family and
the simple things in life that suddenly become highest priority, with time then
found to spend some time up close and personal with a racing legend.”

While Old Friends and Living Legends are not affiliated, Blowen said he
would be open to his operation having satellite locations internationally,
similar to Old Friends’s Cabin Creek Farm operation not far from Saratoga
Springs, N.Y., and the facility at Kentucky Downs.

Blowen admitted that global branches of Old Friends could mean United
States-bred stallions standing overseas might stay closer to their new homes
instead of returning stateside, but establishing retirement farms could help
develop interest in racing and horsemanship in new ways on a global scale.

“I think it would be just fabulous,” Blowen said. “That’s part of the whole
equation, giving fans access to the horses and even giving people who don’t
know anything about racing a chance, whether it’s in Kentucky or Ireland or
wherever, to learn about horse racing.

“The more people learn about it, the chance of racing surviving and prosper-
ing become so much greater.”

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 19

Old girlFriends

So much is made of the wonderful stallions in resi- her way to Kentucky to be a broodmare, but she had BarBara D. Livingston
dence at Old Friends, such as Silver Charm, Alphabet only a few offspring and was plagued with reproduc-
Soup, and Albert the Great, but we sometimes feel we tive issues. Her babies, however, were top notch. Her Euronfire, who contracted
need to remind our visitors and followers that we also outstanding daughter Bollinger was a Group 1 winner EHV-1 while in training, now
have a lot of girls on the farm, too. in Australia and is the dam of Louisiana Derby winner resides at Old Friends and is
and sire Friesan Fire. Today, Binty is doted on by Old one of nine mares at the farm.
You may not know that Old Friends started with a Friends photographer and tour guide Laura Battles, and
mare named Narrow Escape. She would go on to form she has the title of most photographed horse on the farm!
the foundation of a small but accomplished group of
mares who have called Old Friends home. At 21, Narrow Black Tie Countess is a 22-year-old daughter of 1991
Escape, a former allowance horse, ended up in the sales Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair, who was a beloved
ring at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale. Old Friends resident before his death in 2010. Unlike her
When she failed to meet her $1,000 reserve, we rushed gray sire, the Countess is a beautiful bay and spends her
to make her our principal retiree. Not only was she a days hanging out with her best girlfriend Our Revival.
daughter of the late Exceller, but her name reflected the
possible destiny of future paddock mates. Our farm veterinarian, Dr. Bryan Waldridge, fell in
love with Elusive Honey, an earner of more than $110,000,
Over the years, our girl-herd has included the cham- when she was a patient at Park Equine Hospital. When
pion older female of 1997, Hidden Lake; Bonnie’s Poker, the opportunity arose, he asked Michael Blowen if there
the dam of 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was space at Old Friends for a really sweet mare. The
and current Old Friends star Silver Charm; Grade 1 answer, of course, was yes, and now Elusive Honey’s best
winner Halo America; world-record-setter Klassy Brief- friends are an Australian champion, a daughter of Ferdi-
case; and a champion 2-year-old filly from Australia, nand, and a Grade 1 producer. She fits right in!
Bint Marscay.
The filly Euronfire, by Eurosilver, won three races
Current Old girlFriends in residence include: before contracting the EHV-1 virus. When her physical
Bint Marscay, who won the prestigious Group 1 Golden condition precluded a resumption of her racing career
Slipper in Australia in 1993 against the boys. Binty made and a possible second career didn’t work out, the beauti-

PAGE 20 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

We’ve been going the distance for 180 years

As a partner to horse owners and the equine industry, we provide special equipment
discounts for equine association members like you … and a percentage of every
purchase puts money back into the equine industry to help further the bond
between people, horses, and the land.
To learn more about the benefits to the industry, and how members of
qualifying equine associations can save on John Deere equipment,
call us toll-free at 866-678-4289.
John Deere is a proud supporter of Old Friends.

Official Equipment Supplier of NTRA JohnDeere.com/ag

Some restrictions apply. This offer is available to qualified equine associations members in the U.S. and Canada and is subject to change without notice. Coupon savings offer not to be 12/20/16 11:24 AM
used with full-time equine discount program. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company.

16-500-532 JD Going the Distance-9x10.indd 1

ful chestnut was sent to Old Friends, where she BARBARA D.LIVINGSTON
receives plenty of carrots and love.
Miss Du Bois, a daughter of Mr. Prospector, did not win a race on the track, but as a broodmare produced
Hidden Dark, a daughter of Kentucky Derby Grade 1 winner and $2 million-earner Film Maker before being retired to Old Friends.
winner Ferdinand, did not inherit her great sire’s
talent for racing. She competed 11 times, retiring BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER
as a maiden with one second-place and one third-
place finish to her credit. She didn’t stand out as a Old girlFriends Society
broodmare, either, but she has earned a dignified
retirement at Old Friends. Hidden Dark, a 1990 For your $100 donation you will receive:
foal, reigns as one of the oldest residents on the • An 8x10 photo of the Old girlFriend of your choice
farm and enjoys the company of her paddock • An annual visit to the Old girlFriends paddock(s)
mates Bint Marscay, Miss Du Bois, and Elusive • Your name listed on the Old girlFriends Society page on our website
Honey. Join our Old girlFriends Society today!
(502) 863-1775
Lady Grizzley, a daughter of Canadian Fron-
tier bred and raced by longtime Old Friends
supporter former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C.
Jones, won a race at Presque Isle Downs in
Pennsylvania and had an abbreviated career as a
broodmare before she was welcomed to our band
of girls.

While Miss Du Bois failed to win a race in 15
tries, the daughter of the exceptional sire Mr.
Prospector found her calling as a broodmare. Her
successful daughter Film Maker, by Dynafor-
mer, earned more than $2.2 million and won the
Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes
at Keeneland and twice finished second in the
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Miss Hooligan, a granddaughter of two Old
Friends stallions, Criminal Type and Sunshine
Forever, was a 3-year-old maiden with 11 starts
running for a $5,000 claiming tag when she
caught the eye of a Kentucky partnership. A
bold run and second-place finish at River Downs
suggested that she possessed competitive spirit,
but when the veterinarian advised that a confor-
mational flaw was a risk to Miss Hooligan’s
welfare if she continued racing, her owners did
the right thing and retired her to Old Friends.

Misszoey Belle made 74 lifetime starts racing
mostly in Kentucky and Ohio, winning seven
races and earning $70,075 during her 6-year
racing career. Bred by Old Friends supporter
John Oxley, the pretty bay mare by Jambalaya
Jazz became a resident in 2013.

Our Revival, a daughter of farm favorite Ide,
ran 34 times, recording 11 wins while racing in
Massachusetts, Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida,
and Arkansas. She was a favorite of trainer John
Botty, a longtime Old Friends supporter, and
when she was entered in a small Texas sale, we
were happy to offer her a retirement home at Old
Friends.

Santona was a champion grass mare in Chile
in 1997. Brought to the United States in 1998, she
was unable to reproduce her best racing form and
was retired to be a broodmare. Her son Grand
Hombre won the Pennsylvania Derby in 2003
and earned $972,946. Today, Santona rules her
paddock with an iron fist. She’s convinced life is
all about her.

PAGE 22 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Old Friends is very grateful to Tito’s Handmade Vodka for their enthusiastic support of all of
our Old Friends retirees and their special contributions when an overseas Champion returns.

Tito’s is a proud supporter of Old Friends and numerous other equine charities.

OldFriends_9x10.indd 1 10/16/17 10:33 AM

Park Equine provides extraordinary care

By Cynthia Grisolia Samantha Baker PhotograPhy

On a hot afternoon at Old Friends, Dr. Bryan Dr. Bryan Waldridge and Park Equine provide free veterinary care to the horses at Old Friends, such as
Waldridge squirts a loaded syringe into Catlaunch’s War Emblem, (above). It is an invaluable service for a farm that has an aging horse population.
mouth. The 16-year-old Ohio-bred millionaire had
dental surgery only days before, and Waldridge is afforded the horses consistency of care, and its knowl- to work with other area vets on special problems.
following up. Carefully lifting a lip, he rinses the edge of each individual animal has gone a long way “Dr. Brad Tanner and his interns from Rood and
surgery site and inspects the healing. in treating illnesses often associated with old age.
Waldridge estimates he visits the farm several times Riddle Equine Hospital have been a huge help to me,”
“Oh, that’s a whole lot better,” Waldridge said. a week, and such regularity is invaluable, Old Friends said Waldridge, referring to the veterinary clinic in
“He’s a little snaggletooth, but a whole lot better – he farm manager Tim Wilson said. neighboring Fayette County. “Tanner has special inter-
looks a little like Leon Spinks now.” est and training in dentistry, which is very important
“Not only for noticing small changes in horses over in older horses, and he has been invaluable with emer-
Waldridge laughs, referring to the famously time,” Wilson said, “but also in emergency situations gency situations.”
gapped-tooth boxer. where information is critical.”
And sometimes, the opportunity to participate is some
Waldridge is Old Friends’s resident veterinar- “Park has been so very generous,” added assistant cutting-edge treatments arises. In 2016, the 1996 Breed-
ian and a staff doctor at Park Equine Hospital in farm manager Carole Oates. “For instance, helping ers’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup was plagued
neighboring Woodford County, which provides the with regular bloodwork. This is one way to get an early by melanomas, a form of skin cancer very common to
equine retirees at the non-profit organization with heads-up on many old-age related issues, and in these gray horses, that had developed under his tail. Thanks
the best of medical care on a daily basis – no small cases early detection is so important.” to funding from his former owners, Frank Stronach’s
task considering the farm is home to 104 pensioned Adena Springs Kentucky, Soup was able to undergo an
racehorses, and most are a tad – shall we say – long A herd this large and this constant can offer its share immunotherapy treatment – specifically, the IFx-VET
in the tooth. of medical tests – “There’s a lot of trial and error to keep multi-indication cancer vaccine created by Veterinar-
them happy,” said Waldridge. “What works for one ian Oncology Services-Morphogenesis – that was noth-
“I wish I had the kind of health-care plan that doesn’t always for another.” – but there are a few unex- ing short of lifesaving.
these horses have,” Old Friends president and pected upsides. For instance, it affords the opportunity
founder Michael Blowen said with a laugh. “It’s
much better than mine – they should probably be
advising the federal government.”

Caring for a community of aging equines is not
without its challenges. There are regular injuries,
ongoing treatments, accidents, and on occasion a
serious illness. But Waldridge, Park Equine owner
Dr. John Park, and the practice’s medical students
and interns approach the herd with a combination
of expertise, enthusiasm, and sometimes even curi-
osity. More importantly, they do it all without a fee.
That’s right – zippo, nada, nothing.

In 2016, Park and his staff began treating Old
Friends horses free of charge. The decision to
make such an enormous provision, says Park, was
twofold.

“I just thought it was the right thing to do for
the horse,” Park said. “Old Friend does a wonder-
ful job, so I thought we could contribute to a great
cause and help with the well-being of these horses
in retirement at the same time.”

In addition, Park points to the dedication of
Waldridge, who was committed to Old Friends
before joining Park, and also to the memory of Dr.
Doug Byars, one of the premier equine veterinar-
ians in the country, who died in 2014. In the years
prior to Park Equine’s participation, Byars had
long provided much of the medical care to the Old
Friends horses free of charge.

“Dr. Byars was a dear friend of mine,” said Park,
“and his association to Old Friends was special to
me.” (Indeed, at Park’s Woodford County clinic, the
research library is dedicated to Byars.)

The contribution Park Equine has made to Old
Friends, however, goes beyond economics. It has

PAGE 24 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Drs. Park and Waldridge “feel that Proud to support
veterinarians have an obligation to Old Friends
take care of these horses beyond
their racing and breeding years, godolphin.com
and that’s a huge thing for people
like them.” DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 25

– Michael Blowen

“The vaccine was made from tissue from the horse’s actual tumor, and a
bacterial antigen was added that helps his body’s own immune system recog-
nize and eliminate the cancer cells,” Waldridge explained. “I’ve been really
happy to see that in action on him, and it’s worked tremendously.”

He notes that Alphabet Soup’s melanomas have by reduced by at least 85
percent. The stallion received the injections once a week for a month then
once a month for several months. The treatment has been completed for
nearly a year and Waldridge says the tumors are still continuing to shrink.

“I’ve never seen anything work that good,” he said. “I’ve only treated two
others with this procedure in the practice, but now I get 20 or 30 calls a week
about it since we treated Alphabet Soup.”

Horses have a way of getting under your skin – if not into your soul – making
it all too easy to grow attached to such regular patients. In those cases, the
inevitable goodbye is all the more difficult.

“I don’t know why some stand out,” said Waldridge. “I always like the
horses that tried and had it harder than most.”

He admits that in recent years he developed a particular soft spot for
Futural, a Hollywood Gold Cup winner who was euthanized in 2017 due to
chronic osteoarthritis.

“He was one of my all-time favorites,” said Waldridge. “He was a good
racehorse with a good story. Like him, I know what chronic orthopedic pain
is like, and I suppose I had a lot of empathy. He always had a kind eye and
seemed to enjoy his retirement.”

Despite the bittersweet moments, the staff at Park Equine, especially
interns and students, say it’s genuinely a privilege to care for the Kentucky
Derby winners, Breeders’ Cup winners, the well-known stakes stars, and all
the lesser-known horses at at Old Friends.

“John Park and Bryan really understand, to the marrow of their bones, that
without the horses they have no business,” says Blowen. “They feel that veter-
inarians have an obligation to take care of these horses beyond their racing
and breeding years, and that’s a huge thing for people like them. Because it’s
not just the bottom line, or how much they’re getting paid. If it was, we would
not be getting all the great service we’ve been getting over there.”

Back at the barn, Catlaunch is eagerly licking his lips.
“He’s minty fresh now,” Waldridge said, patting the horse gently on the
neck.
But he’s just one patient on the day’s schedule. There’s also Gasconade,
who’s been receiving ongoing treatment for a particularly problematic
sarcoid, and Alphabet Soup, who had become dehydrated. For Waldridge it’s
more than just a day’s work.
“Everybody’s got to give back,” he says. “You can’t help them all, but you
should help the ones you can. That’s why I do it.”
And we’re so glad he does.

American Faroe?

By Little Silver Charm particularly adorable pony as a gift for his little BarBara D. Livingston
daughter. Some time later, my forebear steps off BarBara D. Livingston
People are always asking me: What are you? his benefactor’s yacht when it lands in America,
Are you a miniature horse? A Shetland pony? land of opportunity, even for little horses.
A combination of both? Or something else?
My mother never told me much about my Just call me American Faroe. Or don’t, actu-
ancestry. She said that she met my father only ally. I’d hate anyone to think that I might try to
once. I guess you could say I’m the product of a take advantage of that other horse’s celebrity.
whirlwind romance. He was the strong, silent
type, she said, and didn’t share anything about I never sought fame, it just came to me. I don’t
his background during their brief encounter. revel in it, except on special occasions. When-
I sometimes like to imagine that I am ever I feel I’m in danger of developing a “big
descended from the miniature horses bred in head,” I remind myself that while I may be one
centuries past to amuse royal children in the of the most famous little horses in the world,
courts of Europe. I may be a little short in the millions of people have never heard of me. It’s a
leg but my bearing, in case you haven’t noticed, sobering thought.
is strikingly aristocratic. Nevertheless I pride
myself on my humility. As Old Friends’s offi-
cial spokeshorse, I can’t give myself airs, unlike
certain famous stallions around this farm. I will
mention no names, but I think you can guess
who I’m talking about.
One day I was hanging around the kitchen,
trying to score a few ginger snaps, when I heard
someone on TV talking about little horses.
I usually confine my television viewing to
major Thoroughbred races and Masterpiece
Theater, plus educational programming like
“Game of Thrones” and the crime channel. But
this program caught my attention because these
little horses looked so much like me.
It was a story about Faroe ponies, a breed
that lives on the Faroe Islands, a remote, wind-
swept, treeless chain located in the North Sea
between Iceland and Scotland. The story didn’t
go into a lot of detail. I needed to know more. So
I commissioned my so-called biographer to do
some research. It seemed like the least she could
do since she appears to have abandoned the
planned full-scale, tell-all, warts-and-all biogra-
phy of yours truly that she was supposed to be
writing. Not that I have any warts. That’s just a
figure of speech.
Faroe ponies, she found, are hardy, long-lived,
friendly, adaptable, smart and sure-footed.
Sound like anyone we know?’
They are extremely strong. Because of
their small size and their strength many were
exported to Great Britain to work in the mines.
They nearly became extinct on the Faroe
Islands, but thanks to a breeding program they
are making a comeback.
Suddenly it all fell into place. I could imagine
the scene, my ancestors herded onto a boat, put
to work in the mines. Then, one day, a wealthy
American visitor decides to bring home a

PAGE 26 Here I am trying teach Michael how to jump over railroad ties. Unlike
someone here, he’s not very elegant at it, is he? I don’t know if I’ll ever
be able to train him properly, but if everyone is looking at me, as they
should be, maybe they won’t notice.
Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

The catbird seat

By Selena apart, as long as I’m wearing my collar. It’s That’s me, the pretty
pink, very girly. I love bling. I’m thinking of one with the pink
I am Selena. I am queen of all I survey, getting another pink collar, with rhinestones. collar. They say I’m
which happens to be the front desk in the Old photogenic, but you be
Friends office. I wasn’t always into fashion. I didn’t have a the judge.
collar when I found my way to Old Friends one
My job is to assist Barbara Fossum, who autumn night several years ago. The moon Photos by barbara D. Livingston
is in charge of checking in visitors, ring- was full and surrounded by an unusual, very
ing up sales and other tasks too numerous dramatic hazy ring. That’s why they named DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 27
to mention. I don’t know what Old Friends me Selena, goddess of the moon.
would do without Barbara. And I don’t know
what Barbara would do without me. I had taken refuge in Ogygian’s run-in shed.
I was cold and hungry and I was complaining
I have been trying to learn to work the cash at the top of my lungs. I scared Ogygian. I
register. One day, I rang up a $23,625 sale. It didn’t mean to. Imagine, a tiny cat frightening
was a mistake. Fortunately for me my credit a Thoroughbred stallion. But I was making a
card was declined. lot of noise. Beth Shannon, Ogygian’s best
friend, lured me out of his paddock with food.
I like to help Barbara send her messages,
too. Especially when she hasn’t quite finished I can’t remember what my life was like
composing them. It makes life exciting for before I came to Old Friends. I think I must
both of us. have endured a lot of trauma. The veterinar-
ian said I was very underweight. My body was
I share the office with three other cats. covered with bites. And my little paws were
Buddy, a ginger and white neutered tom, is bloody.
our official greeter. Lucy, a formerly feral
tortoiseshell, is a very big girl, 25 pounds, Things have improved since then, obvi-
which seems to fascinate visitors. Bobby’s ously. I am very happy to have a good home
Kitten, named for one of Ken Ramsey’s Thor- with loving friends and the opportunity to
oughbreds, is a very handsome black tomcat meet so many admirers. I never dreamed that
manqué. People tend to confuse us, but I am I would have such a responsible job, but after
far more beautiful. Everybody tells me so. everything I’ve been through, I think I can
handle it.
It’s actually easy to tell me and Bobby

A helping hand from the community

The duck house on the pond near the front entrance to Old Friends was built by a local Eagle Scout troop based in Georgetown, Ky. BarBara D.Livingston

Sylvia Stiller, office manager of Old Friends (and poster of Zenyatta. Several years ago, our good friend Fred Krakow-
Director of Everything!), always thought a duck The Landin family first met Michael Blowen in iak gifted us with a magnificent sculpture to grace
house would be a great addition to the pond gracing the main cemetery. The artist, Snell Johnson, was a
the front of the farm. In summer 2017, wishes became 2004 when Sunshine Forever and Creator came from prolific Western bronze sculptor who created more
reality as Eagle Scout Troop 209 based in George- Japan and arrived at Hurstland Farm in Midway, than 500 bronzes, 350 of which are life-size. The life-
town, Ky., led by C. J. Alcorn – with lots of help from Ky., then a site for Old Friends retirees. Jack Landin size version of our sculpture was commissioned by
troop scouts, Dad, and friends – launched the duck was just 4 years old, but Old Friends made a huge the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., for the entrance to its
house in May. We’re still waiting for the first intrepid impression on him, and the Landins stayed in touch horse park, WestWorld. After the piece arrived, it
duck to move in. In the meantime, the duck house has over the years. In spring 2017, when Jack was contem- became obvious that the statue needed a base worthy
been appropriated by water turtles. plating an Eagle Scout project, his thoughts turned of its beauty. Enter Boy Scout Troop 400 from Lexing-
to Old Friends. Several months later, Old Friends ton. Maya DeRosa had played an instrumental role in
With the relocation of Little Silver Charm’s had uniquely designed salt brick holders that honor the early days of Old Friends and her son Justin and
paddock in 2015 came the need for a new run-in some of the great horses to call Old Friends home. his scout troop were looking for a community project.
shed. Thanks to Johnson Controls in Lexington, Ky., We would like to give a big thanks to Jack and Eagle In just a few days, they built the wonderful stone base
and its Blue Sky Involve Employee Volunteerism, Scout Troop #14 in Versailles, Ky., for this awesome that now holds our statue. Beautiful!
Charmie has a spiffy shed, complete with his pin-up gift!

PAGE 28 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Old Friends
benefits from
Maker’s Mark
bottle sales

In 2017, Breeders’ Cup and Maker’s Mark continued a
charitable collaboration to raise funds for important industry
causes with the continuation of Champions for Charity. Old
Friends was proud to once again be a 2017 official charity
beneficiary of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships,
along with the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation.

Fans who supported these causes received a 2017 Maker’s
Mark limited-edition commemorative bottle honoring Cigar,
who won the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic and became the
first American horse to win 16 consecutive races against top
competition since Triple Crown winner Cita-
tion did so from 1948-50. The Cigar bottle
completes the five-bottle collection, which
includes A.P. Indy, Lure, Personal Ensign,
and Zenyatta.

“We have been honored and privileged
to be a part of the Breeders’ Cup Maker’s
Mark Champions for Charity campaign,”
said Michael Blowen, founder of Old
Friends. “We have great memories of the
‘invincible Cigar.’ ”

“His popularity in retirement was
among the things that inspired the
creation of Old Friends. On a personal
level, his two victories in the Massa-
chusetts Handicap took place in New
England, where I am from, so it’s thrilling
that he’s now supporting aftercare.”

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 29

LIFE AT
OLD

FRIENDS

Photos by
Barbara D. Livingston

Michael Blowen and Silver Charm
go for a stroll.

PAGE 30 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Clockwise from top: Ide rolls
around in his paddock at Old
Friends; Popcorn Deelites in
his run-in shed; Amazombie
(left) and Rapid Redux run
around their paddock.

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 31

Clockwise from top left: Eldaafer with one of his
ever-present goat companians, Google; Z Dager
in the new barn at Old Friends; Silver Charm;
Archie’s Echo (left) joined Dinard in a paddock
at Old Friends in September 2017.

PAGE 32 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Old Friends farm manager
Tim Wilson cares for
War Emblem. Below,
several of the mares in their
paddock at Old Friends.

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 33

Saying goodbye

BarBara D. Livingston

Dual classic winner Charismatic, who was at Old Friends for just 2 1/2 months, was one of the farm’s residents who passed away in 2017.

By Mary Simon the van like a king, looking much in the physical cations from EPM, a few weeks before Flip lost his
mold of his ancestors Man o’ War and Secretariat. brave battle with laminitis.
One feels a sense of peace heading down Byars There was every reason to believe this perfectly
Way at Old Friends, past grazing Thoroughbreds, named beauty had years of well-earned retirement A pair of striking grays left us in the height of
some of whom may come greet you at the fence. ahead of him … but fate would allow him only 77 a beautiful spring, showing once again that death
Most are old or aging, some are famous, others not days. Early on Feb. 19, 2017, Charismatic was found knows no season. Diamond Stripes once raced
so much. All came here after their previous careers in his stall, his unconquerable spirit having taken with the best – winning important stakes and
had ended – to be cared for and to live free at last flight sometime during the dark of night. $1.5 million – but time took its toll, and when the
from rules and demands … and in the process former $340,000 yearling proved ineffective even
became beloved ambassadors for our sport. But Another good one gone was 26-year-old Tinners at $5,000 claiming, Old Friends became his final
sadly, as the arc of mortal life descends, time will Way, a millionaire Grade 1 winner and the last son stop.
inevitably claim them all. The hardest part of life of Secretariat who passed on July 5, 2017. The sweet
at Old Friends is that it ends. old stallion was a spot-on image of his legendary Stakes-winning Judge’s Case campaigned nine
sire, from boldly carved head to bright red coat. hard seasons and earned $707,618, his most notable
Since the last edition of the Old Friends maga- High-strung and sensitive, Tinner was rarely effort being a third to Horse of the Year Mineshaft
zine was published in 2016, nine members of this included on farm tours, though many sought him in the 2003 Grade 1 Pimlico Special. An injury
extraordinary equine community have left us, out to witness the final living link to a horse of a precluded any second career for Judge, so home he
among them a champion, a pair of iron-tough lifetime. came to Old Friends. Because he was stall-bound in
career claimers, Secretariat’s last son, and some his final months due to a chronic orthopedic prob-
rags-to-riches fellows who made racing dreams Bonapaw and Come On Flip were not fashion- lem, those passing through got to know and love
come true. ably bred nor in much demand as auction year- this quirky, outgoing guy.
lings – they brought just $6,500 and $7,500, respec-
The biggest name among the departed, and tively – but each became a rare bargain, racing Also passing in 2017 were a trio of hard-working
certainly the most wrenchingly unexpected loss, through age 9 and together earning $1.7 million. claimers – Duke Ora and Swan’s Way in Kentucky
was that of Charismatic, America’s 1999 Horse of Bonapaw was a top American sprinter early in and Karakorum Patriot at Cabin Creek in New
the Year and Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner. the new millennium, with a victory in the Grade 1 York. Together they started 251 times without a
The handsome chestnut had arrived from Japan on Vosburgh. Come On Flip shined brightest on 1996 stakes win among them, but at their own levels
Dec. 4, 2016, to join Silver Charm and War Emblem Hawthorne Gold Cup Day when he decimated a they were indefatigable fighters. Their names were
as Old Friends’s third dual classic winner. On that field of millionaires, Grade 1 winners, and champi- not of the household variety, but their kind make
brisk evening, the 20-year-old stallion strode off ons. Bonapaw was euthanized July 7 due to compli- up the backbone of a sport. Like Charismatic and
the rest, they will be missed.

PAGE 34 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Old Friends
Dream Chase Farm

ADDRESS Dream Chase Farm
1841 Payne’s Depot Road
Georgetown, KY 40324 Lexington

PHONE DIRECTIONS FROM BLUE GRASS AIRPORT
(502) 863-1775
1. Head southeast on Terminal Drive toward Air Freight Drive 0.1 mi
WEBSITE
Oldfriendsequine.org 2. Continue straight onto Air Freight Drive 0.2 mi

EMAIL 3. Slight right onto Terminal Drive 0.1 mi
[email protected]
4. Take the first left onto Man o’ War Blvd west 0.3 mi
TWITTER
@Oldfriendsfarm; @OF_LSilverCharm 5. Take the first right onto Versailles Road 1.5 mi

TOURS 6. Merge onto KY-4 N/New Circle Road via the ramp to I-75/I-64 0.6 mi
Tour information and pricing effective Jan. 1, 2017
7. Continue onto KY-4 N/US-60 Bypass west/New Circle Road 2.2 mi
GENERAL TOUR – RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
A guided walking tour of approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours in length. Each 8. Take Exit 7 for US-421 toward Frankfort/Lexington 0.2 mi
horse has a very individual story that will be lovingly told by your tour
guide. Come on out, our champions love company! 9. Turn left onto US-421 N/Leestown Road 7.2 mi
Cost: $10 • $5 for children 6-12 • Free for children 5 & younger
Mid-March – October 10 a.m. • 1 p.m. • 3 p.m. daily
November – February 11 a.m. daily

PRIVATE TOUR – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
A private driving tour of approximately 1 1/2 hours in length. Can be
customized. Call us for information. $25 per person/5 person maximum

MICHAEL BLOWEN PRIVATE TOUR – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
A driving tour with founder and president Michael Blowen of approxi-
mately 1 1/2 hours in length. Call us for information.
$50 per person/5 person maximum

GROUP TOURS BY APPOINTMENT
We welcome group tours. Call us for pricing and more information

VISITOR CENTER:
Hours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily

10. Turn right onto US-62 E/Paynes Depot Road 4.0 mi

11. Turn left onto Neel Lane

12. Arrive at Old Friends

16.6 mi, 31 mins

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 35

Old Friends at
Kentucky Downs

In July 2015, an historic thing happened. Kentucky Kentucky Downs ADDRESS
Downs, the racecourse in Franklin, Ky., opened a small 5565 Nashville Road
retirement facility for Thoroughbreds on its grounds. Lexington, Ky. Franklin, KY 42134
Franklin, KY
The joint venture between Old Friends in Georgetown Nashville, WEBSITE
and the European-style oval just across the state line Kentuckydowns.com
from Nashville, Tenn., just may be the first and only race- FROM THE NORTH (BOWLING GREEN):
track that has ever made space for ex-racehorses to live Follow I-65 southbound to Exit 2 in Kentucky (Franklin, Ky. – TWITTER
out their lives. Think of it as Old Friends’s Mini-Me. Highway 31W exit). Turn left off the exit ramp and drive south on @OldFriendsatKD
Highway 31W 2.0 miles to the entrance to Kentucky Downs.
Tours are conducted, too, thanks to our friends at FROM THE SOUTH (NASHVILLE): TOURS
the Simpson County Tourism Commission. The facil- Follow I-65 northbound to Exit 2 in Kentucky (Franklin, Ky. – At designated times.
ity showcases nine horses, some of which celebrated big Highway 31W exit). Turn right off the exit ramp and drive south on Closed mid-August to
wins over the turf course at Kentucky Downs. Rumor Highway 31W 1.8 miles to the entrance to Kentucky Downs. mid-September.
Has It, a son of Awesome Again, won the Kentucky Turf Call for information.
Cup in 2008 and more than $300,000 in a 38-race career
that spanned seven years. Good Lord started 84 times ADMISSION
and won more than $800,000 in a career that included a $5 adults; children 12 and
runaway victory in the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash in 2012. younger free

In addition to Rumor Has It and Good Lord, you also RESERVATIONS
can meet Thornfield, Canada’s 1999 Sovereign Award Old Friends Kentucky Downs
Horse of the Year and champion grass horse. Thornfield (270) 586 7335
scored victories in the Grade 1 Canadian International or Simpson County Tourism
and the Grade 2 Niagara Breeders’ Cup Handicap during (866) 531-3040
his championship season and retired with earnings of
$1.2 million.

People also can stop in and say hello to our dedicated
volunteer staff who run the gift shop, and Jennifer Jones
who manages the horses.

“This is a very unique layout,” notes Rick Albright,
Kentucky Downs’s racing manager. “It allows the horses
to enjoy their retirement in an environment they are
accustomed to, and some can even gaze down the home-
stretch of a track they once won races on.”

But no trip to an Old Friends facility would be complete
without a mini. Fonzi, the little (and we mean little) paint
at Kentucky Downs is more or less Little Silver Charm’s
doppelganger in the south. Visitors can get up close and
personal with “the Fonz” on daily tours. That is, if his
new best pal, Rumor Has It, doesn’t mind.

Kentucky Downs is located just off Interstate 65. The
track conducts a live turf racing meet each September on
the only “European-style” racecourse in North America.
Old Friends tours are conducted daily at 11 a.m., but may
vary by season and are not available during live racing.

For information, call the Simpson County Tourism
Commission at (270) 586-3040.

– MICHAEL BLOWEN

PAGE 36 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Old Friends
at Kentucky Downs

See retired thoroughbreds
in a racetrack setting.
Open daily with tours
starting at 11 a.m.

GRACE CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY

5565 Nashville Road, Franklin, KY Located 1.5 miles off I-65 Exit 2
https://www.oldfriendsequine.org/kentuckydowns.html Call 270-586-3040

Old Friends
at Cabin Creek Farm

What JoAnn and Mark Pepper and their band of Cabin Creek Farm ADDRESS
intelligent, invaluable volunteers have done with Old 483 Sand Hill Road
Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division in 9N Greenfield Center, NY 12833
Greenfield Center, N.Y, is nothing short of remarkable. 9N
PHONE
The facility, built nearly single-handedly by Mark, Saratoga (518) 698-2377
is a picture postcard – a Shangri-La – of Thoroughbred
retirement. Home to America’s lovable loser, Zippy WEBSITE
Chippy, whose motto is “winners don’t always finish Oldfriendsatcabincreek.com
first,” and two-time Whitney victor Commentator,
Cabin Creek has done things so well I have to visit EMAIL
to pick up pointers on how to improve our facility in [email protected]
Kentucky.
TOURS
Over the years, the Peppers have shown great faith Open to the public
in the Old Friends concept. In the beginning, before year-round. Call for
the current surge in support from New York owners seasonal tour times and
and breeders and some great fundraising during appointments.
the Saratoga meet, donations were hard to come by.
However, with the unerring faith of Vivien Malloy, DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN SARATOGA SPRINGS
Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stables, Terry Finley of
West Point Thoroughbreds, Rick Violette of the New 1. Head west on Lake Avenue toward Broadway 72 ft
York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and Mike
Repole, who allowed us to retire Cool N Collective, a 2. Continue onto NY-9N N/Church Street
great son of Ruhlmann, Cabin Creek has prospered.
3. Continue to follow NY-9 North 2.9 mi
Every one of its retirees has a great story. From King
Congie’s unwavering support from West Point, his
original owners, when he found himself in a dangerous
situation, to Travers Stakes winner Will’s Way, JoAnn
treats them all the same.

Visitors who have never been to a horse race mingle
with savvy trainers, owners, and jockeys during tours
that are both entertaining and enlightening.

And, while it might take some twisting and turning
through the back roads of rural Saratoga County, I’ve
never met one person who said it wasn’t worth the trip.
It’s a tribute to the Peppers, the Saratoga community,
and all of our great retirees.

The horses always look great. And that’s the most
important thing.

Cabin Creek is located in Greenfield Center, N.Y.,
just 10 minutes from Saratoga Race Course. Tours are
open-house style during the summer race meet and by
appointment at other times.

For information, call Cabin Creek at (518) 698-2377.

– MICHAEL BLOWEN

4. Turn left onto County Road 21/Middle Grove Road 4.1 mi

5. Turn right onto County Road19/North Creek Road 1.4 mi

6. Turn left onto Sand Hill Road, Destination will be on the right

9.1 mi, 18 mins

PAGE 38 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

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Eventing competition in the Western Hemisphere!

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KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
LEXINGTON, KY

How to help Old Friends

DONATIONS Honor a loved one, a pet, your favorite horse, or • Wills
a memorial date. Just send the tax-deductible • Living trusts, charitable trusts
Our mission at Old Friends is to provide donation to Old Friends, write “Calendar” on • Real estate
a dignified retirement for our Thorough- the check, and include the wording you’d like • Life insurance
breds – champions and unknowns alike. Your for the calendar date. You also can donate with • Mutual funds
tax-deductible gift will help ensure that we PayPal, or call our office with your credit card
continue to provide for the care of these mar- information. ‘HISTORY OF OLD FRIENDS,’ BY RICK CAPONE
velous athletes, and it also helps us to continue
to expand our facility to care for more horses. SPONSOR A PADDOCK • Replete with gorgeous photographs, this
book is about the founding of our award-
Below are various ways to support Old • For a donation of $5,000, you will get an winning home for retired Thoroughbreds.
Friends. If you would like to make a donation, engraved plaque with your name in the
you may donate online with PayPal; through main barn. • Foreword by Michael Blowen
Networkforgood.org; call us to contribute via • 50% of proceeds benefit Old Friends. Call us
credit card payment; or mail a check, to: • Receive major donor recognition on Old
Friends on our VIP list; complimentary to order.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement admission to Old Friends events.
1841 Paynes Depot Road ‘A CHARMED LIFE, BY LITTLE SILVER CHARM,’
Georgetown, KY 40324 • The personal satisfaction of knowing that AS TOLD TO DIANE WHITE
(502)-863-1775 you have made possible a retirement home
www.oldfriendsequine.org for your favorite champion! • The best of Little Silver Charm’s blog is
combined with photos of Barbara Livings-
HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HELP OUR HORSES SPONSOR A STALL ton, EquiSport Photos, Connie Bush, Laura
Battles, and more!
$10 = Hoof supplement • For a donation of $2,500, you will get an
$15 = 3 bales of hay engraved plaque with your name in the • Proceeds benefit Old Friends. Call us to
$20 = 1 bag of senior feed main barn. order.
$25 = Hay for a day for the entire paddock
$50 = Equine dentist visit • Receive major donor recognition on Old SHOP TO HELP
$100 = Sponsor a horse Friends on our VIP list; complimentary
$150 = 16-foot section of horse fence admission to Old Friends events. • Check out the eBay Old Friends store, which
$250 = Durable horse blanket benefits Old Friends.
$500 = 7 veterinarian treatments • The personal satisfaction of knowing that
$1,000 = Install a paddock waterer you have made possible a retirement home • You can support Old Friends by shopping
$1,500 = Sponsor a stall for your favorite champion! at Kroger through the Kroger Community
$2,000 = Build a run-in shed Cares program. Log in to your Kroger
SPONSOR A WATERER account to sign up, or visit OldFriends-
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Equine.org for more details.
• For a donation of $1,000, you will get an
Our Annual Membership donation of $150 is a engraved plaque with your name in the • Sign up at Igive.com. Your searches
vital segment of our annual fundraising efforts. main barn. and purchases generate donations from
Your membership entitles you to great benefits, hundreds and hundreds of stores you may
including free tours for you and a guest at all • The personal satisfaction of knowing that already shop at.
Old Friends locations; reduced admission to our you have made possible a retirement home
annual Homecoming event held the day after for your favorite champion! • Amazon makes it easy to donation to Old
the Kentucky Derby; free general admission for Friends! Sign up at AmazonSmile.com,
one to the Kentucky Derby Museum located at SPONSOR A RUN-IN SHED a website operated by Amazon offering
Churchill Downs; and free general admission the same products, prices, and shopping
for one to the National Museum of Racing and • For a donation of $2,000, you will get an features as Amazon.com, and the Amazon-
Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. engraved plaque with your name in the Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the
main barn. purchase price of eligible products to Old
SHARE CERTIFICATES Friends.
• The personal satisfaction of knowing that
Donate $100 and sponsor an Old Friends you have made possible a retirement home CREATIVE IDEAS TO HELP
retiree. Donors receive a personalized certifi- for your favorite champion!
cate and an 8x10 color photograph. Certificates • Tribute® Partner’s Program. Send us your
are available for all horses. They make great • Visit our website for information on our proofs of purchase from Tribute® feed
gifts for the horse lover in your life! Call us Give Me Shelter My Old Friend run-in shed bagged products.
to order. We accept checks, credit cards, and campaign.
money orders, or you can use the PayPal dona- • Special Horse Organization Winner
tion form on our website. PLANNED GIVING Program. Save your Southern States® and
Triple Crown® feed proofs of purchase and
FEED FOR A DAY CALENDAR Planned giving integrates a donor’s chari- send them to us.
table gift with his or her overall financial and
Sponsor a date on our calendar to help feed estate planning goals to maximize benefits to • Think Out of the Stall! Have a party (Derby
our horses. For a $100 (or more) donation, both the donor and Old Friends. Planned gifts or otherwise). Invite 10 friends to your
you can have a name printed on the calendar typically come from a donor’s assets rather home, each contributing $10 and then donate
for the date of your choice, on a first-come, than income and can be either outright or for a share certificate in the Old Friends
first-served basis. You also get a free calendar. deferred. It is recommended that donors consult resident of your choice! Gifts are 100% tax
with their tax or legal advisers prior to making deductible. Just think, if 10 of you sponsor
PAGE 40 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM a planned gift. Your generosity will ensure that your own party, that is $1,000 raised for Old
Old Friends continues to make a difference in Friends!
the lives of retired racehorses. Some types of
gifts include: • Yard Sales – get rid of some clutter and
donate the proceeds!

The Equo Vitae Coffee

Collection Available Now

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IT’S A HIT!!!

Satisfy your coffee craving... The reviews (and orders)
...support Equine Aftercare! are coming in

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The coffee is amazing! New York
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Proceeds benefit New Vocations & Old Friends Farm

Designing friends

In the spring of 2017, Old Friends asked our fans and
friends to try their hand at designing our official racing
silks. Contest guidelines stipulated that the design must
be in the Old Friends colors of dark green and gold, and we
received 112 inspired and creative entries.

Michael Blowen and our judging panel covered a whole
desktop with finalist entries. After much deliberation and
discussion, a design by Sana Sulaiman was chosen as the
official silks of Old Friends.

Our sincere gratitude goes to all of our contest partici-
pants and to Old Friends volunteer Beth Shannon, whose
dedication to this project led to its success.

A special acknowledgment goes to Bloodline Products,
a third-generation supplier of racing silks whose clients
include many major racing stables, which donated to Old
Friends a full-sized set of beautiful, hand-crafted silks in
the winning design. Bloodline Products also provided the
contest winner a miniature set suitable for framing.

We are so proud to unveil the official Old Friends silks.

PAGE 42 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

Our gift shop

The Old Friends gift shop is stocked full with a wide Little Silver Charm, Old Friends’s official spoke- but with rich body with hints of nutmeg, cocoa, and
variety of interesting items, with all proceeds support- shorse, has penned a book entitled “A Charmed hazelnut and a pomegranate nose during grinding.
ing our efforts to give our Thoroughbred retirees a Life.” The 80-page, soft-cover book combines selected
comfortable life. commentary from Little Silver Charm’s Facebook Visitors to the gift shop rave about our handsome and
page with photos from Livingston, Lexington-based sturdy Deneen Pottery mugs with the Old Friends logo,
Apparel that includes Old Friends embroidered caps EquiSport Photos, and New York photographer Connie in a variety of styles and colors. They make excellent
in various colors celebrate individual horses such as Bush, among many others. Proceeds benefit Old Friends. gifts.
War Emblem, Silver Charm, Game On Dude, Genuine
Reward, Little Mike, Albert the Great, and Alphabet New in 2017 is Jewelry Designs by Mar Mar, which Gold-tone, engraved halter tags are available for a
Soup. These caps feature the horse’s silks emblazoned offers a selection of photo-charm jewelry. Necklaces, wide array of Old Friends’s horses. Used as a key chain,
on the back. We also have T-shirts embroidered with the bracelets, and earrings featuring Laura Battles’s photos they are a great way to keep your favorite horse with you
Old Friends logo available in a variety of styles, colors, of Silver Charm, Alphabet Soup, War Emblem, Game all the time.
and sizes, from small to XX-large. On Dude, Touch Gold, Tinners Way, Charismatic, and
Little Silver Charm let fans wear the likeness of their We have a limited supply of bracelets fashioned from
We are proud to have Eclipse Award-winning photog- Old Friends horse. our horses’ tail hair. At any given time we may or may
rapher Barbara D. Livingston’s line of photographs not have a bracelet made from a particular horse’s hair.
featured in our shop. We have her magnificent photos Our annual calendar, featuring photographs of our Availability depends on several factors. Some of our
of our horses, including Silver Charm, War Emblem, horses taken by various photographers, is a best-seller. horses don’t have enough hair to harvest. Some are
and Game On Dude, plus an American Pharoah collec- In addition, our Calendar Project offers supporters the more cooperative about “donating” than others. If you
tion available for purchase. We also have her recently opportunity to “buy a day” on the calendar for $100 to want a bracelet made of hair from an Old Friends horse,
released book, “Old and New Friends,” published by commemorate a special occasion or a special friend. please let us know and we will attempt to fill the order –
Daily Racing Form. All our copies are signed by Barbara. or explain to you why we can’t.
A significant portion of the proceeds goes to Old Friends. An exciting new addition to our gift shop is Old Friends
Coffee. Produced in partnership with Erie Coffee Roast- Please drop in and shop!
Journalist and horse lover Rick Capone’s book ers, the Equo Vitae Coffee Collection features the War We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
“History of Old Friends,” with a foreword by Michael Emblem blend, a dark bean roast, big bodied with dark You can call us, too: (502) 863-1775
Blowen, is a best-seller in our shop. Fifty percent of the cherry, cocoa, and a clean, sweet briskness; and the Many of the items in the gift shop are available to
sales of the book benefits Old Friends. Game On Dude blend, a dark mountain blend, smooth order online at our eBay store, which is linked to our
web page at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

S avor... KENTUCKY

THE SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF GEORGETOWN. SCOTT COUNTY

PURE SMALL TOWN CHARM. Stop by our newly
renovated
– Equine Activities –
Visitor Center at
• Minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park 399 Outlet Center Dr.
• Old Friends Retired Thoroughbred Farm
DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 43
• Whispering Woods Riding Stables
• Nearby Keeneland Race Course

– Picturesque Downtown –

• Specialty Shops • Antiques
• Scott County Arts and Cultural Center
• Cafes and One-of-a-kind Restaurants
• Georgetown and Scott County Museum

– Other Charming Attractions –

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, KY, Inc. Tour
• Nearby Wineries and Bourbon Distilleries
• Country Boy Brewing • Bourbon 30 Spirits

• Golf • Elkhorn Creek • Ward Hall
• Close proximity to the Ark Encounter

INTERSTATE INTERSTATE

64 75

www.GeorgetownKy.com • 888.863.8600

Old Friends roster

OLD FRIENDS AT DREAM CHASE FARM HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS

LION HUNTER.............................. 5/4/2009.......................G........Bay......................................0

HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS LITIGATE ...................................... 4/21/2008.....................G........Chestnut ..................186,718

AFFIRMED SUCCESS .................. 4/2/1994.......................G........Bay......................$2,285,315 LITTLE MIKE ................................ 5/24/2007.....................G........Bay........................3,543,392

AFTERNOON DEELITES ............... 2/28/1992.....................H........Dark bay/brown.....1,061,193 LITTLE SILVER CHARM ............... unknown.......................H........Gray/roan............................0

ALBERT THE GREAT..................... 05/07/97.......................H........Bay........................3,012,490 LUSTY LATIN ............................... 3/26/1999.....................G........Gray .........................439,729

ALPHABET SOUP......................... 3/31/1991.....................H........Roan .....................2,990,270 MARSHALL ROOSTER (GB)......... 5/29/1999.....................G........Gray/roan.................205,881

AMAZOMBIE................................ 4/18/2006.....................G........Bay........................1,920,378 MAYBESOMAYBENOT ................. 1/27/2008.....................G........Bay...........................155,738

ARCHIE’S ECHO........................... 5/8/1989.......................G........Chestnut ....................32,324 MIKETHESPIKE............................ 3/11/2000.....................G........Gray ...........................85,301

AREYOUTALKINTOME ................. 2/3/2001.......................G........Bay...........................985,417 MISS DU BOIS............................. 4/23/1994.....................M.......Chestnut ....................25,535

ARSON SQUAD............................ 4/2/2003.......................G........Dark bay/brown.....1,190,181 MISS HOOLIGAN ......................... 4/11/2005.....................M.......Bay...............................2,325

AWESOME GEM .......................... 2/6/2003.......................G........Chestnut ...............2,881,370 MISSZOEY BELLE........................ 3/20/2005.....................M.......Bay.............................70,075

BEAU CASHIN IN (QH)................. 4/17/1998.....................G........Chestnut ....................27,705 NOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ..................... 1/19/2004.....................H........Dark bay/brown.....1,544,730

BINT MARSCAY (AUS)................. 10/15/1990...................M.......Chestnut ...............1,034,821 NORTHERN STONE ..................... 3/15/2004.....................G........Bay.............................54,527

BOBBY SANDS ............................ 3/13/2005.....................G........Bay...........................300,319 PHOTON ...................................... 4/30/2009.....................G........Dark bay/brown........305,455

BOULE D’OR ................................ 3/22/2001.....................G........Dark bay/brown........598,571 POPCORN DEELITES ................... 4/19/1998.....................G........Bay.............................56,880

CAPPUCINO KID.......................... 2/22/1998.....................G........Bay...........................248,951 PRIVATE ZONE............................. 4/12/2009.....................G........Bay........................2,924,620

CATLAUNCH................................ 3/18/2001.....................G........Bay........................1,122,309 RACKETEER ................................. 3/5/2003.......................G........Bay...........................412,190

CHERONO.................................... 5/5/2002.......................G........Dark bay.......................4,040 RAIL TRIP..................................... 01/31/05.......................G........Bay........................1,516,520

COST AFFECTIVE ........................ 4/18/2010.....................G........Bay...........................189,661 RAPID REDUX.............................. 02/24/06.......................G........Chestnut ..................361,369

COUNT THE GOLD....................... 3/18/2006.....................G........Bay...........................126,029 RATHOR (IRE) .............................. 05/13/02.......................G........Dark bay/brown........331,979

DANTHEBLUEGRASSMAN........... 3/31/1999.....................G........Chestnut ..................423,794 READYS ROCKET......................... 4/6/2003.......................G........Dark bay/brown........261,636

DINARD........................................ 4/6/1988.......................G........Dark bay/brown........590,250 REGAL SANCTION ....................... 3/15/1999.....................G........Chestnut ..................485,158

DISCREET HERO.......................... 3/13/1998.....................G........Dark bay/brown........681,591 RIVA WAY..................................... 4/24/1998.....................G........Chestnut ..................109,915

DISTURBINGTHEPEACE .............. 3/29/1998.....................G........Bay...........................666,020 SAINT ALOYSIUS......................... 5/11/2013.....................G........Dark bay/brown...............338

EARLY PIONEER........................... 2/17/1995.....................G........Chestnut ...............1,156,815 SANTONA (CHI)........................... 10/7/1994.....................M.......Bay.............................43,438

EASY GRADES ............................. 04/13/99.......................G........Bay...........................559,744 SARATOGA EPISODE ................... 4/5/2001.......................G........Chestnut ....................75,665

EL BRUJO .................................... 03/11/06.......................G........Bay...........................721,439 SARAVA ....................................... 3/2/1999.......................H........Dark bay/brown........773,832

ELABORATE ................................. 03/29/95.......................G........Chestnut ..................565,852 SARBONNE .................................. 4/19/2007.....................G........Bay.............................27,639

ELDAAFER ................................... 03/13/05.......................G........Bay........................1,031,835 SEAN AVERY................................ 3/8/2006.......................G........Bay...........................398,640

ELUSIVE HONEY.......................... 4/27/2000.....................M.......Dark bay/brown........111,165 SEEK GOLD.................................. 4/2/2000.......................G........Bay...........................902,636

EURONFIRE.................................. 4/21/2008.....................M.......Chestnut ....................64,684 SHADOW CASTER ....................... 2/13/1996.....................G........Chestnut ..................477,653

FABULOUS STRIKE...................... 4/4/2003.......................G........Dark bay/brown.....1,447,804 SILVER CHARM ........................... 2/22/1994.....................H........Gray/roan..............6,944,369

FALCON SCOTT........................... 2/20/2003.....................G........Bay.............................68,905 SILVER RAY.................................. 5/23/1989.....................H........Dark bay...................268,532

FERGUS MAC ROICH .................. 3/31/2007.....................G........Chestnut ....................52,595 SKIP’S WORLD ............................ 3/19/2010.....................H........Gray ...........................78,435

FEROCIOUS WON........................ 4/11/2003.....................G........Chestnut ..................503,627 SLAMMING.................................. 3/21/1993.....................G........Dark bay...................206,021

FIGHTING CITY HALL .................. 3/4/2003.......................G........Dark bay...................268,199 SMOOTH AIR ............................... 3/12/2005.....................H........Bay........................1,117,200

FORTI DEI MARMI (GB) ............... 3/30/2006.....................G........Bay........................1,054,061 SOKITUMI SAMURAI ................... 3/31/2009.....................G........Bay...........................260,222

GAME ON DUDE .......................... 4/26/2007.....................G........Bay........................6,498,893 SPECIAL RING ............................. 3/9/1997.......................G........Bay...........................915,023

GASCONADE ............................... 2/11/2004.....................G........Bay.............................75,287 STARSPANGLED HEAT ................ 11/22/2008...................G........Chestnut ..................476,685

GENUINE REWARD ...................... 05/15/1993...................H........Chestnut .............................0 STORMY PASSAGE ..................... 4/27/2005.....................G........Bay.............................23,845

GERI............................................. 02/05/1992...................H........Chestnut ...............1,707,980 SUMMER ATTRACTION ............... 5/26/1995.....................G........Bay.............................28,214

GERONIMO (CHI)......................... 10/22/1999...................G........Chestnut ..................464,150 SUN KING .................................... 1/31/2002.....................H........Bay........................2,240,008

HIDDEN DARK ............................. 02/22/1990...................M.......Dark bay/brown..........20,750 TIMOTHY JAMES......................... 2012 .............................G........Dark bay/brown...................0

HIGHLAND ACK........................... 03/24/1989...................G........Chestnut .............................0 TOUCH GOLD .............................. 5/26/1994.....................H........Bay........................1,679,907

HUSSONFIRST............................. 06/27/2005...................G........Chestnut ....................58,610 TUNEINTOBOW............................ 3/21/2011.....................G........Gray ...........................79,200

IDE ............................................... 5/5/1993.......................H........Chestnut ..................363,780 UKIAH .......................................... 3/5/2002.......................G........Gray ...........................91,150

I’M CHARISMATIC .......................3/18/2001.....................G........Dark bay/brown........201,298 UNACCOUNTABLE....................... 3/15/2005.....................G........Dark bay/brown........298,860

INTERWIN .................................... 2/11/1998.....................G........Chestnut .............................0 VICTOR COOLEY ......................... 3/31/1993.....................G........Dark bay................1,320,475

JIMBO FALLON............................ 4/26/2012.....................G........Gray ...........................99,187 W.C. JONES ................................. 3/22/2005.....................G........Bay.............................15,292

JOHANNESBURG SMILE ............. 2/6/2007.......................H........Bay...........................555,417 WAR EMBLEM ............................. 2/20/1999.....................H........Dark bay................3,491,000

JOHANNESBOURBON.................. 1/25/2009.....................G........Bay.............................68,053 YANKEE FOURTUNE .................... 2/24/2007.....................G........Gray/roan.................391,975

KUDOS......................................... 4/17/1997.....................G........Bay........................1,238,935 YOU AND I ................................... 2/14/1991.....................H........Dark bay/brown........701,235

LADY GRIZZLEY........................... 5/17/2006.....................M.......Bay.............................36,974 Z DAGER ...................................... 3/26/2009.....................G........Bay...........................158,001

PAGE 44 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM

OLD FRIENDS AT CABIN CREEK HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS

HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS LORCCAN .................................... 2/1/2004.......................G........Bay...........................278,481

BE BULLISH................................. 2/25/2005.....................G........Gray/roan............$1,106,288 MAGIC TIGER .............................. 3/8/2007.......................G........Chestnut ..................126,954

COMMENTATOR .......................... 3/27/2001.....................G........Chestnut ...............2,049,845 MAKE LUCK................................. 4/25/1985.....................H........Bay...........................196,493

COOL N COLLECTIVE.................. 3/22/1997.....................G........Bay...........................678,836 MAKORS MARK........................... 2/18/1997.....................H........Chestnut ..................430,753

DOC N ROLL................................ 2/15/2005.....................G........Dark bay/brown........156,585 MASSONE.................................... 2/28/2006.....................G........Chestnut ..................576,592

DRIVEN BY SUCCESS ................. 4/8/2005.......................G........Chestnut ..................607,099 MISCHIEVOUS SOPHIE ............... 3/18/2010.....................M.......Chestnut ....................93,905

KING CONGIE .............................. 3/2/2008.......................G........Dark bay/brown........243,740 MYTHICAL PEGASUS.................. 3/3/2005.......................G........Dark bay...................126,003

MIDNIGHT SECRET ..................... 2/21/1997.....................G........Dark bay/brown........212,749 NAPOLI EXPRESS........................ 4/21/1994.....................G........Dark bay.....................43,243

MR. COWBOY.............................. 3/15/2009.....................G........Chestnut ....................80,930 OLD MEXICO ............................... 5/13/2012.....................G........Bay...........................103,225

RED DOWN SOUTH ..................... 4/24/2000.....................G........Chestnut ..................116,650 OUR REVIVAL .............................. 4/1/2000.......................M.......Chestnut ..................150,367

ROARING LION ............................ 4/7/2004.......................G........Dark bay/brown........542,536 PADUA’S PRIDE ........................... 1/25/1997.....................G........Bay.............................62,200

STRUMMER................................. 3/18/2003.....................G........Dark bay/brown........409,051 PAY WRIGHT................................ 4/2/2004.......................M.......Bay...........................218,469

THIS HARD LAND ........................ 3/17/2008.....................G........Bay...........................451,221 PORFIDO (CHI) ............................ 8/17/2002.....................G........Bay...........................756,876

WATCHEM SMOKEY.................... 2/26/2000.....................G........Bay...........................513,897 PRESIDENTIAL FLING.................. 7/29/1997.....................G........Dark bay.....................80,535

WILLS WAY.................................. 4/22/1993.....................H........Bay...........................954,400 RIVERSRUNRYLEE....................... 3/28/2004.....................G........Dark bay...................441,580

ZIPPY CHIPPY ............................. 4/20/1991.....................G........Bay.............................30,834 ROTTERDAM................................ 4/21/2006.....................G........Gray/roan.....................7,427

SAY FLORIDA SANDY.................. 3/29/1994.....................H........Bay........................2,085,408

OLD FRIENDS AT KENTUCKY DOWNS SMOKIN CANDY.......................... 5/16/2009.....................G........Dark bay...................152,328

STAR PLUS .................................. 7/18/2003.....................G........Bay...........................176,053

HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS TOP SURPRIZE ............................ 4/29/2008.....................G........Bay...........................139,939

BALANCE OF POWER .................. 4/21/2010.....................G........Chestnut ................$233,138 VERSAILLES ROAD...................... 4/30/2006.....................G........Bay...........................165,754

BALL FOUR.................................. 2/27/2001.....................G........Bay...........................730,470 WESTMORELAND ROAD ............. 2/14/2000.....................G........Bay.............................86,835

DUELING ALEX ............................ 5/10/2006.....................G........Bay...........................178,655 WINDY LAND............................... 1999 .............................G........Chestnut .............................0

FONZI........................................... unknown.......................G........Pinto ...................................0

GOOD LORD ................................ 5/6/2007.......................G........Bay...........................803,805 OLD FRIENDS AT DREAM CHASE FARM – DECEASED

RUMOR HAS IT............................ 5/1/2001.......................G........Dark bay/brown........303,316

SGT BERT .................................... 2/8/2001.......................G........Bay...........................359,021 A. P. SLEW DUSTY FIELDS MIXED PLEASURE
ACADEMY AWARD EASY ELLIS MOONSHADOW GOLD
THORNFIELD ............................... 3/15/1994.....................G........Chestnut ...............1,206,074 AL THE BINGEL (SIENA) ESCAPEDFROMNEWYORK NARROW ESCAPE
APPYGOLUCKY ESTRAPADE NEW EXPORT (BRZ)
TOUR OF THE CAT....................... 5/3/1998.......................G........Bay........................1,106,955 ASCENDING HAZE ETERNAL ORAGE OCCASION
AVALOTTAHOPE FLICK (GB) OGYGIAN
OLD FRIENDS SATELLITE LOCATIONS AWAD FLYING PIDGEON PATTON
BALLINDAGGIN FORTUNATE PROSPECT PERSONALIZED
HORSE BIRTHDATE SEX COLOR EARNINGS BEHRENS FRAISE POLISH NAVY
BENBURB (CAN) FUTURAL PRECISIONIST
BAIE PROSPECTOR ..................... 4/15/1990.....................H........Bay...........................$11,779 BLACK TIE AFFAIR (IRE) GABFEST PRIZED
BLUESTHESTANDARD GET LUCKY PROPER REALITY
BENT ON BOURBON .................... 4/2/2012.......................G........Bay...........................235,960 BONAPAW GLITTERMAN RICHARD’S LASS
BONNIE’S POKER GOLD SPRING (ARG) RUHLMANN
BIRDSOFAFEATHER..................... 4/12/2011.....................M.......Gray ...........................10,740 BULL INTHE HEATHER GULCH SEA NATIVE
BUZZOVERTOMYHOUSE HALO AMERICA STAGE COLONY
BLACK TIE COUNTESS................ 3/31/1995.....................M.......Bay.............................47,514 CHARISMATIC HIDDEN LAKE STEEL ROBBING
CHARMING DREAMER INVIGORATE SUNSHINE FOREVER
BON MARIE.................................. 3/8/2001.......................G........Bay...........................417,506 CHINA BANK JADE HUNTER SWAN’S WAY
CLEVER ALLEMONT JUDGE’S CASE TAYLOR’S SPECIAL
BONFANTE................................... 3/21/2001.....................G........Bay...........................768,220 COME ON FLIP KANO DOBLE THE NAME’S JIMMY
CONNERY KARAKORUM PATRIOT THE WICKED NORTH
BURRWOOD................................. 3/29/1994.....................G........Bay.............................43,666 COZY MISS KEY CONTENDER THUNDER RUMBLE
CREATOR (GB) KIRI’S CLOWN TINNERS WAY
CAJUN BEAT................................ 3/26/2000.....................G........ Bay.......................1,159,100 CRUSADER SWORD KLASSY BRIEFCASE WALLENDA
DANCIN RENEE LEAVE SEATTLE WILLIAMSTOWN
CAPTURE THE POWER ................ 2/14/2007.....................G........Bay..................................480 DELAY OF GAME MAGIC DOT WINDUNDERMYWINGS
DIAMOND STRIPES MARQUETRY ZUPPARDO’S BIG BOY
CHIEF EXPORT ............................ 2/25/2002.....................G........Bay...........................406,960 DO ONE DANCE MAX A MILLION
DUKE ORA MISS DOCUTECH
COMMA TO THE TOP .................. 3/2/2008.......................G........Bay........................1,349,046

DAYTONA (IRE)............................ 4/21/2004.....................G........Chestnut ..................991,690

DOMINANT JEANNES.................. 3/4/2007.......................G........Bay...........................317,913

FANTASTIC DAY .......................... 5/25/2000.....................G........Bay...........................360,424

FINAL THOUGHTS ....................... 2/20/2013.....................M.......Chestnut ......................5,680

GALLAPIAT’S MOMENT............... 3/17/1990.....................G........Bay...........................425,260

GRYLLS ....................................... 3/14/2005.....................G........Bay.............................53,397

H.G. WILD SWALE ....................... 2/28/1994.....................G........Chestnut ....................12,051

HAP.............................................. 4/16/1996.....................H........Chestnut ...............1,329,210

HE LOVES ME NOT...................... 3/26/2003.....................G........Bay...........................198,888

HI SPEED CHASE......................... 3/25/2011.....................G........Dark bay.....................36,972

HOLY ESTRAPADE ....................... 3/29/2000.....................H........Bay......................................0

IRELAND’S EYE............................ 2/20/2011.....................G........Chestnut ....................48,617

KEG OF DYNAMITE...................... 3/18/1982.....................M.......Chestnut ......................3,283

KING JAMES................................ 3/27/1992.....................H........Bay...........................162,363

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 45

Albert the Great PEDIGREE: 1997, h., by Go for Gin—
Bright Feather, by Fappiano
BARBARA D.LIVINGSTON
EARNED: $3,012,490
Lexington-area banker and entrepreneur Tracy Farmer purchased a son of Go for Gin for $85,000 as a year-
ling at the Keeneland September sale in 1998 and named the colt Albert the Great for his breeder, Albert Clay, a STAKES WON: Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), Sub-
descendant of statesman Henry Clay. Albert Clay was an influential leader in Thoroughbred racing for decades, urban H. (G2), Brooklyn H. (G2), Dwyer S. (G2),
helping found the American Horse Council, as well the creation of the Kentucky Equine Research Foundation Widener H. (G3) while setting a track record for
and the Maxwell Gluck Equine Research Center, among his many accomplishments. 1 1/8 miles

As a breeder, Albert Clay was represented by 18 stakes winners, including five Grade 1 winners. Fittingly, the THREE WORDS: Imposing – Regal – Rich
leading money earner bred by Clay was Albert the Great, who lived up to his lofty name by becoming an earner
of more than $3 million and the winner of five graded stakes. HORSE TALK

After he purchased the colt, Farmer turned him over to trainer Nick Zito and he developed into one of the best BARBARA FOSSUM, BOARD MEMBER
route runners in the country in 2000 and 2001. Unraced at 2, Albert the Great won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at I followed Albert the Great during his
the end of his 3-year-old season, and at 4 won the Suburban, Brooklyn, and Widener handicaps.
racing days, when his biggest accomplish-
He went to stud in Kentucky in 2002 at Three Chimneys Farm, then owned by Robert Clay, Albert’s son, and ment was running the fastest 1 1/4 miles
later moved to Pennsylvania for stud duties, standing through the 2016 season. by a 3-year-old in New York racing history
in winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup at
As a stallion, he sired nine stakes winners, including Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes winner Nobiz Like Belmont Park. After a stallion career at
Shobiz, who also is at Old Friends. Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky and
Pin Oak Lane Stud in Pennsylvania, Albert
– MARK SIMON packed his bags and headed for retirement
Michael says: Albert the Great, as his name suggests, is imperious. He is the king and everyone else – human at Old Friends. Getting to know Albert
and equine – are serfs. As long as he gets what he wants when he wants it, everything is fine. But if his neigh- the horse has been fun and interesting.
bors, including his son Nobiz Like Shobiz, get any attention before he does, he paws at the ground, threatening The best part of receiving new horses at
an exacting price for the breakdown in protocol. Old Friends is figuring out who they are.
It’s like unwrapping a Christmas present.
PAGE 46 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM You’re not sure what’s inside, but getting
there is half the fun. Albert is demanding
and energetic, chasing around his paddock
like someone far younger than the 20-year-
old he is. Most Old Friends horses mellow
with time. Maybe Albert will, too. Or not.

PATH TO OLD FRIENDS

Old Friends is very fortunate to be the
unofficial retirement home for some of
Tracy and Carol Farmer’s best Thorough-
breds. It started with Commentator and
Sun King and, now, the $3 million man,
Albert the Great. The son of Kentucky
Derby winner Go for Gin was a Grade 1
winner. His racing road was impressive
but bumpy. He couldn’t catch a break. After
a smashing victory in the 2000 Jockey Club
Gold Cup, the following year he finished
second in the Whitney, Pimlico Special,
Donn, and Woodward. His path to Old
Friends was smoother. Tracy called.

Alphabet Soup PEDIGREE: 1991, h., by Cozzene—Illiterate, by
Arts and Letters
BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON
EARNED: $2,990,270
It wasn’t just his white coat and a shocking upset of Cigar in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic that made Alpha-
bet Soup stand out. STAKES WON: Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), San
Antonio (G2), San Pasqual (G2), Del Mar Breed-
In nearly three full seasons of racing, Alphabet Soup earned just less than $3 million, with a stakes résumé ers’ Cup (G2), Pat O’Brien (G3), Native Diver (G3),
among the best of his era. Under the guidance of the savvy David Hofmans, the son of Cozzene won or placed in Harry F. Brubaker
12 graded stakes and hit the triple-digit mark on the Beyer Speed Figure scale in 12 of his last 13 starts.
THREE WORDS: Alert – Beautiful – Courageous
The Breeders’ Cup Classic field he gamely defeated at nearly 20-1 in 1996 was one of the best in the history of
the race. In addition to Cigar, that year’s Classic included Louis Quatorze, Editor’s Note, Will’s Way, and Formal HORSE TALK
Gold.
LAURA BATTLES, TOUR GUIDE
Alphabet Soup was retired following a bang-up second to Gentlemen in the 1997 San Antonio Handicap and AND PHOTOGRAPHER
was shipped off to co-owner Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs in Kentucky. It was one of a number of stops the
handsome stallion made in a stud career that spanned nearly two decades. I was at Woodbine when Alphabet Soup
beat Cigar, and when I heard he was
After standing his final season back at Adena Springs, Alphabet Soup, still as sound and good-looking as ever, coming to Old Friends, I was happy to get
headed to his new home at Old Friends, giving fans a chance to see a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner in the flesh. to see him. When he first arrived, I thought
we had gotten a “nervous Nellie” at the
– IRWIN COHEN farm, as he constantly paced and hollered
Michael says: The three-horse photo finish in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic was heart-stopping. And, if you when he was out in the round pen. He
were Cigar or Louis Quatorze, heartbreaking. Because the white horse between them, guided by a perfect ride sure made a pretty picture, though. Once
from Chris McCarron, was none other than Alphabet Soup. He’s also the sire of longtime Old Friends resident he moved to a permanent paddock at the
Watchem Smokey. front of the farm, I realized, he was not a
“nervous Nellie,” but rather the farm busy-
body – a “nosy Nellie” – as he has to know
everything that is going on all the time.
He quickly figured out tours and carrots
and delights visitors when he follows them
along with the tour to make sure he can get
every possible carrot. His eyes seem to just
pull you in as they mesmerize you. Such a
sweetheart!

PATH TO OLD FRIENDS

Adena Springs’s Jack Jeziorski first
visited the farm several years ago. I
inquired about the possibility of retiring
some of the great Adena stallions to Old
Friends, and Jack said he’d look into it.
Nothing happened for a while but, early in
2015, Adena’s manager, Mike Rogers, came
to see Old Friends and I inquired, specifi-
cally, about Alphabet Soup and Touch
Gold. A few months later, accompanied by
a generous donation from Frank Stronach,
the most gorgeous horse who ever stepped
foot on the farm arrived.

DAILY RACING FORM Old Friends PAGE 47

Amazombie PEDIGREE: 2006, g., by Northern Afleet—
Wilshe Amaze, by In Excess
BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON EARNED: $1,920,378
STAKES WON: Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Bing
In case there was ever any doubt, Amazombie proved that it is okay to fall in love with a racehorse. Just ask Crosby (G1), Ancient Title (G1), Potrero Grande
his trainer, Bill Spawr, who owned him with his racing buddy Tom Sanford. (G2) twice, Sunshine Millions Sprint S., Tiznow S.
THREE WORDS: Fast – Faster – Fastest
Spawr will tell you Amazombie was honest as a sunrise and durable as a Maytag. As a young horse he
was a giveaway, tossed in with the purchase of a barnmate. He needed time, but eventually he settled into a HORSE TALK
beautiful groove, repeating his races over and over to the delight of his Zombie-loving fans. JON LINDO, CO-OWNER

Which Amazombie performance tasted best? Most will call up the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in which he Originally a “throw-in” as part of a
beat the best the game could offer, or the race before that in the Ancient Title, when he circled the field to two-horse package purchased for $5,000
seal the score. by trainer and part-owner Bill Spawr,
Amazombie went on to win three Grade
There is support for his 2012 Bing Crosby, a thrilling re-affirmation of class. And then there was the 2011 1 races, including the 2011 Breeders’
Sunshine Millions Sprint, when he tipped his destiny by winning a three-way photo while shading 1:08. Cup Sprint, on the way to being named
champion sprinter. In December 2011,
Amazombie earned just shy of $2 million, no small sum for a free horse. In return, he has been given the after his Breeder’s Cup Sprint victory,
gift of a life at Old Friends. The exchange rate seems about right. Spawr got a call from a major Kentucky
farm. “When Amazombie is done racing,
– JAY HOVDEY we would love to stand him at stud at our
Michael says: Amazombie and Rapid Redux are pals. Sort of. They’re like Ralph and Alice Kramden of farm,” said the stallion manager. “You
“Honeymooners” fame. They argue a lot but they’re inseparable. Amazombie is so kind that he allows Rapid must have a great veterinarian,” was
to boss him around. Mike Smith adores Amazombie. And that’s good enough for me. Spawr’s reply. “Why?” asked the stallion
manager. “Because he has been a geld-
ing since 2009.” So much for a stallion
career, but the fact he is a gelding allows
him to enjoy the attention and carrots
he receives each and every day at Old
Friends.

PATH TO OLD FRIENDS

When trainer Bill Spawr decided to
retire Eclipse Award champ Amazombie,
the timing couldn’t have been better. We
had just made arrangements to fly Game
On Dude to Old Friends from California,
and Amazombie got to hop aboard the
same flight. Tex Sutton flew them both to
Kentucky for free.

PAGE 48 Old Friends DAILY RACING FORM


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