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Old Friends news Retired TBs -Past and Present
From: lisainco
12/23/15
I would really love to come and will plan on it.
So glad you got the card.
Merry, merry Xmas ....
From: gerchgo
1/8/16
Flick was euthanized due to complications of that damn colic:(
RIP sweet boy, my condolences to his connections and Old Friends.
Flick at Old Friends (Photo by Rick Capone)
GEORGETOWN, KY - JANUARY 8, 2016 - Stakes winner Flick has died. The 24-year-old gelding, who resided at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, was euthanized Friday morning due to complications from colic.
Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends, made the announcement this morning.
Bred in England by Side Hill Stud, Flick (Kris (GB) - Thakhayr (IRE), Sadler's Wells) had three starts in England before coming to the U.S. near the end of his 2-year-old season. He made his first start for new owner Judith Carmel at Hollywood Park, placing 5th.
Flick continued beating good horses at major West Coast tracks on both the dirt and the turf. His first stakes win, in fact, came on the grass at Turf Paradise in the one-mile Paradise Mile Handicap in 1997.
The following year he captured his greatest career victory, the Wicked North Handicap at Santa Anita. That same year he placed in the Grade 2 Mervyn LeRoy and the Grade 2 San Pasqual.
In 2000, at the age of 8, Flick tore a suspensory ligament and became one of the first Thoroughbreds to successfully undergo autologous stem cell and bone marrow treatments. He returned to the track and continued racing until he was 10, making his final start at Santa Anita in 2002.
In his 51 lifetime starts Flick had 8 wins and career earnings of $515,738.
"He was all heart every time he went to the track, and he always went to win," said Ms Carmel from her home in California. "He was everything you wanted a horse to be and he was always my favorite."
Carmel made an attempt to retrain Flick for a second career but "he was just a racehorse at heart," she said. "He didn't enjoy it." Carmel donated Flick to Old Friends in January of 2009.
"Our consulting vet Dr. Bryan Waldridge did all he could for Flick, who was taken to the Park Equine Clinic in Versailles on Tuesday," said Old Friends's Blowen. "But the horse's health continued to deteriorate and it was decided that we should not prolong his suffering. Bryan was with him until the end," added Blowen, "and for that we're very grateful.
"He was a wonderful horse and a favorite among our volunteers and our visitors," Blowen continued. "We're also so thankful to Judy Carmel. She's been a great friend and a great supporter and we're so glad she let us care for her terrific athlete all these years."
From: gerchgo
1/17/16
GEORGETOWN, KY - JANUARY 17, 2016 - It is with a heavy heart that Michael Blowen, founder and President of Old Friends, announces today the passing of Gulch. The 1988 Breeders' Cup Sprint Champion and Eclipse Award winner was euthanized this morning due to complications from cancer.
At 32, Gulch was the oldest living Breeders' Cup Champion.
A son of Mr. Prospector out of the Rambunctious mare Jameela, Gulch has been a resident of the Thoroughbred Retirement Center based in Georgetown, KY, since 2009 and was one of the farm's of flagship stallions attracting visitors and fans from all around the country.
As both a runner and a sire, Gulch blazed an unforgettable trail. Bred by Peter Brant in Kentucky, Gulch became a Grade 1 winner as a two-year-old when he captured the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. At three he won the GR 1 Wood Memorial and the first of his two consecutive wins in the GR1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.
As a four-year-old Gulch captured the GR3 Potrero Grande Handicap and the GR1 Carter Handicap en route to his final start and greatest victory in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Sprint for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. For his efforts Gulch was named 1988 Eclipse Champion Sprinter.
The stallion retired with 13 wins from 32 starts and earnings of $3,095,521.
Gulch continued his career success as a sire at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, KY.
His most notable offspring is 1995 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Thunder Gulch. Other Grade 1 winners include Court Vision, Great Navigator, The Cliff's Edge, and Wallenda, who is also a retiree at Old Friends.
In all, Gulch is represented by 71 stakes winners--30 of which are grade or group winners--72 stakes-placed runners and the earners of $80 million.
Due to declining fertility, Gulch was pensioned from the breeding shed in 2009 and was later graciously donated to Old Friends by Lane's End.
At the time, Lane's End principal Bill Farish noted that the stallion's popularity with fans
influenced the farm's decision to send him to Old Friends, which is open to tourists daily.
"He was a horse that was well known to the public having been through the Triple Crown trail and having been a top two-year-old and a champion sprinter," said Farish in a 2009 release. "He was a horse that people always wanted to see. Plus, he's kind of a ham, and he will enjoy the attention immensely."
"As Leroy Jolley, who was Gulch's first trainer, once said, 'Gulch must be the toughest horse who ever lived,' and he was," noted Old Friends' Blowen. "He was confident, self-possessed and regal. He didn't demand respect--he earned it. He is irreplaceable."
From: lindawilbe
1/17/16
Me too! It seems like yesterday Silver Charm was racing...
Linda J.
Northeast Philly
From: gerchgo
1/23/16
Fire in one of the barns at Old Friends, thank goodness all horses and people are okay!
All Horses and People Safe after Old Friends Barn Fire
GEORGETOWN, KY - JANUARY 23, 2016 - Georgetown Scott County Fire Departments responded to a fire last night in one of the barns at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility located in Georgetown, KY.
The two horses that were in the barn were quickly and safely evacuated and Old Friends reports that no horses or people were injured.
"It's a testament to our amazing staff," said Old Friends president Michael Blowen. "The horses in the barn got out without a scratch and everyone is all right, and that's all that matters. The fire crews have been great," Blowen added, "and we're grateful for all of their help today."
Georgetown Scott County Fire Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
More information will be released when it's available
From: Derby132
1/23/16
Just saw a photo of the fire on fb - looked awful. So glad all are okay. Blowen mentioned yesterday that staff were staying thru the night with the horses thinking they wouldn't be able to get in today. Good plan. A life saving one.