FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GEORGETOWN, KY - January 20, 2015
Escapedfromnewyork, a resident of the Old Friends Retirement Facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, died on January 18 from a heart attack brought on by colic at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

A son of Aristotle out of the Fortunate Prospect mare Prospect Street, the then-4-year-old bay colt arrived at Old Friends unnamed and unregistered. He was dubbed Escapedfromnewyork by Old Friends supporter Fred Jones in an online contest, a name borrowed from the 1981 Kurt Russell Film. Old Friends officially registered the horse through the cooperation of the Jockey Club.

Around the farm the horse was endearingly known as Snake, which was Russell's character in the movie.

"Snake was a very brave little horse," said Michael Blowen, Old Friends founder and President. "Despite his rough start in life he was affectionate and kind and a pleasure to be around.  

The 10-year-old unraced gelding was one of 177 Thoroughbreds found in various states of neglect in 2009 at Ernie Paragallo's Center Brook Farm in upstate New York.  Paragallo, a prominent owner and breeder who raced champion Sprinter winner Artax, was eventually charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty and sentenced to two years in jail and a $33,000 fine.

"Our thanks go out to New York's Columbia-Greene Humane Society for the wonderful work they did to rescue all of the horses found at Center Brook and for allowing us to adopt this little horse, Blowen continued. "It has been very rewarding to have given him six happy years." 

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for 150 retired racehorses. It's Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, N.Y., Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.