Catching Up With Some Old Friends

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Barbara W — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:08:40 GMT

Thank you, Esther, for this great story and photos. I love all the horses, but Little Silver Charm is a hoot. He could warm the coldest heart.

Did not know that Bull in the heather was a son of Ferdinand.

Can't wait to go back for a visit.

And yes, it can get really hot and steamy. We were last there in May '09, and it was very hot then. I'd rather go in the fall or the spring.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Karen in Texas — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:09:48 GMT

Thanks for the update on Old Friends! It's especially great to hear that the funds to transfer Noor have been raised! Kudos to BH for helping to accomplish that.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Springsmom83 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:42:35 GMT

I will always have a soft spot for Sunshine Forever. I saw what was probably his most impressive win as a 3 year in the DC International.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

smartydeb — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:10:56 GMT

My favorite horse at Old Friends is Awad. Several friends and I went there to visit in 2008 and had a fantastic time. Awad is SOOOO demanding of his peppermints and carrots - he was given some, and when we walked away, he banged his front hooves on the fence and squealed. I went back to talk to him, but he wasn't interested in chatter - he wanted his treats and wanted them NOW. I turned around and stood with my back to him, he reached out and bit my shoulder! Fortunately I had a jacket on and he only pinched me. All in all, a great visit to s wonderful facility.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

quarterhossgal — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:03:03 GMT

Michael is a special gentleman! One of my favorite's is Ogygian because I had a chance to see him race and win. Marquetry is a charmer! All the champions at Old Friends are just wonderful. Michael will always have a special place in my heart for all the good he has done for our champions.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

msbmeadows — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:37:16 GMT

Thank you for the great update, also the news that the funding is secured for the Noor tribute. I sent Charlotte Farmer the dirt from the Golden Gate Fields winners circle thanks to Robin McHargue, Group Sales Manager at GGF who helped with logistics. I saw the request on your blogsite posted by Trina--so thank you for linking us all up for a great cause and tribute to a great champion. I hope to visit soon--I want to give Commentator a big hug--sounds like it would be a challenge--he has attitude!

a fan of bloodhorse.com and old friends.

a.d. scott

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Shelby's Best Pal — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:13:31 GMT

I loved this article and the great pictures. Thank you, Esther. Old Friends is on my bucket list of Places to Visit.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

GoldenBroom — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:02:39 GMT

What a wonderful read. Thank you. Hope to visit there next spring...I was very pleased to read about the change to the tax laws that allow for contributions to be written off for non-prophet now. All of these animals deserve homes with dignity and love.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

MRO — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:59:51 GMT

I've been to visit a couple of times. I'm hoping to make it an annual pilgrimage. I have many favorites there: The Seattle Slew boys - Williamstown and Leave Seattle, Judge's Case, Gulch, Clever Allemont, Klassy Briefcase & her buddy Buzzovertomyhouse, Cappucino Kid, Awad, Kiri's Clown, Cherono.....I'm sure I'm missing someone. They're all wonderful and completely deserving of the retirement they have.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

deb — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:21:07 GMT

I love this farm. I hope it is always there for the horses, all horses.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

RayJay — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:18:07 GMT

Really enjoyed the story and pictures. Thank You!

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

A Horsey Canuck — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:25:23 GMT

Hi Esther - another great blog, but of course, I'm biased. Such a thrill to meet and talk with you in person. You took a great photo of me with Michael and Little Silver Charm. Your photos are terrific. Hard to believe they were taken with a "point and shoot". Thanks again, Esther, keep the blogs coming. Loved the one about your turkey vulture friend. Meeting you and Michael at Old Friends was definitely the highlight of my KY trip! Cheers from Pat from Canada, now in Maryland for a while. Only one down thing - it's too hot for this Canuck!

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Fran Loszynski — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:26:09 GMT

Great pictures and a very touching one of Natalie and Marquetry. Racehorses and kids, you can't beat it! Having just traveled to Lexington and Bluegrass country myself, I too relished in racehorse heaven. It is so quiet and peaceful for these great animals in retirement or at Old Friends. Far from the bell of the track but the rail still touches their hearts and our hearts too! God Bless all the farms and Old Friends for the love you give to these beautiful steeds

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Kelso5time — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:06:32 GMT

What a wonderful article! I always visit Old Friends when I am in Kentucky and Michael always manages to remember my husband and me. It is very hard to choose a favorite horse, but I do have a soft spot for Ogygian as well as Little Silver Charm, Commentator, Sunshine Forever, Creator and Awad. Not to mention the "mint hounds" Special Ring and Popcorn Deelites. I am so pleased to read that some of their horses are being trained for new careers (Smoky Stover being one, another favorite) and even non-Thoroughbreds are being looked after. God Bless Michael Blowen and all his staff--long live Old Friends!

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Rachel NH — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:47:04 GMT

Wonderful to see the pictures...especially mMrquetry and friend...

Did not know Afternoon Deelites was struggling with laminitis...wow.

That's what killed Secretariat, Sunday Silence and Foolish Pleasure...

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Paula Higgins — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:52:19 GMT

LOVED THIS!!!!!!

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Sue MacGray — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:12:50 GMT

It's encouraging to read of a place like old friends where these horses can live out their days in comfort. They deserve it! I'd like to visit there someday myself. I haven't visited their website and I'm assuming they have one. Do they list all of their horses on the site? Thanks again for such a comforting column. After going through so much it's the least we can do for these old (and not so old) soldiers.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

Delrene — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:52:51 GMT

Such a wonderful man and organization. Yes, I visited Old Friends the year that Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby - Right after the Derby and before the ill-fated Preakness. thanks for these wonderful photographs. It was a wonderful day and we had a terrific dinner in Midway, Ky.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

LauraJ — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:19:05 GMT

Favorite? I have so many! All the horses at OF are wonderful. But since you asked, there are a few that I especially look forward to seeing whenever I visit. I have a soft spot for Marquetry. He is so very, very sweet even if he does slobber a bit. I love feeding Commentator mints. Sometimes he won't come for a carrot, but I think he'd do anything for a mint. Creator is just as bad if you offer him a piece of pear or even better, a gingersnap. Special Ring is a hoot with his lip-flipping trick. Clever Allemont is gentle, and oh so grateful to be where he is. He likes to have his withers massaged. Of course, everyone loves LSC. He is a star and he knows it.

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

calico cat — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:27:14 GMT

Esther,

Thank you for this wonderful article and photos. Thank you also for the great news that enough money was collected to move Noor's remains to Old Friends. Charlotte Farmer must be walking on Cloud 9 right now... and she should!!!

re: Catching Up With Some Old Friends

FSF — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:14:48 GMT

I'm pretty sure Little Silver Charm isn't a Thoroughbred :)