Old Friends Summertime

At Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, KY, the horses may not be racing anymore, but they are winners every day. Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, Old Friends now cares for more than 150 horses across three states, many of them stallions whose racing and breeding careers came to an end. A “living history museum of horse racing”, the farm attracts nearly 20,000 tourists annually that get up close and personal with such stars of the turf as 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm, three-time Santa Anita Handicap victor Game on Dude, Breeders’ Cup Champions Gulch and Amazombie, and Hollywood Gold Cup and multiple stakes winner Rail Trip.

But every horse at Old Friends has a story to tell, and visitors to the farms can hear them all while learning about racing and ways to help with Thoroughbred aftercare. The farm is open to the public daily for guided walking tours. Racing fans in New York can also visit some Old Friends champs. Our first satellite division, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, is just a short drive from the Saratoga racecourse and is home to biggest loser Zippy, Travers Stakes winner Will’s Way and multiple stakes winner Be Bullish.