photo � Tim Wilson

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1841 Paynes Depot Rd.
Georgetown, KY 40324
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Old Friends,
1841 Paynes Depot Rd.
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Georgetown, KY  40324

502-863-1775 www.oldfriendsequine.org

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Old Friends at Cabin Creek Farm
The Bobby Frankel Division

483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY  12833 

[email protected]   

 

Please note all photos are copyrighted by the photographers noted and Old Friends, Inc.  Please
Do not use without permission. 
                                                                     Little Silver Charm photo � Tim Wilson


From Michael.. 
Gulch (31) is trotting through the snow. Little Silver Charm (?) wonders when his fans will return. Silver Charm (21) and Game On Dude (8), dripping with class..don't let anything bother them. Rail Trip is playing with Catlaunch and Amazombie and Rapid Redux rolls around in the snow. That's all by way of saying that, despite the deep snow and frigid temperatures, all the horses are doing fine. Special thanks to Tim, Carole, Antonio, Yoel, Dr. Waldridge and Dr.Tanner, Rood and Riddle and, especially, all of the rugged volunteers from the Kentucky Equine Management Internship. Val has been invaluable and Beth, Charlie, Charlene, Barbara, and John are real troopers. These volunteers all made sure that the ice was removed from the waterers and Wade, with his magic backhoe, delivered fresh hay every day. Bea kept the office going.

Joanne Pepper tells me that the horse are doing great at Old Friends at Cabin Creek and she has some terrific ideas for the summer at Saratoga. Joe Bokan, proprietor of Anne's Washington Inn, just a 15 minute walk from the track, is planning another event like we had last year for Sonny Taylor.

These are the days when we appreciate these retirees more than ever. While the cold has been merciless, the warmth generated from their appreciation of everything we do for them is priceless.  Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to their welfare. Without you, we wouldn't be able to have this much fun.

Of course, we can't wait until spring. The Derby, Oaks and Keeneland always brings new and veteran visitors. And we have lots of plans to show off our wonderful retirees. We're working with Corey Johnson at Kentucky Downs to open up an Old Friends division at the track.

Of course, we can always use more money. Who couldn't?  With this very unusual blast of harsh winter and a foot of snow, we've gone through a lot of hay.  To stay warm, horses need extra 'fuel' of hay, grain and fresh water and believe me... they are getting it!  If some of you could send a little something our way, it would be greatly appreciated at this time. Thanks again to everyone.
                          
Announcing...Equidoodles!

"Equidoodles by Old Friends", abstract paintings done by celebrated Thoroughbred retirees, are set to debut in an exclusive eBay� auction on Sunday March 1st and run through March 8th.

 

The equine art collection will raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY that cares for more than 150 former racehorses, including many luminaries of the turf.

 

Equidoodles are abstract watercolors done using non-toxic paint. The horses use their muzzle, whiskers and tails to create beautiful swishes of color and shape for a truly original canvas. The paintings going on the block for this sale have been done by some of Old Friends's most famous residents, including:

  • Silver Charm - The 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ arrived at Old Friends in December 2014 after 10 years of stud duty in Japan. Since his arrival the Hall of Fame horse has been very popular with tourists and fans.

  • Game on Dude - The $6.5 million earner is also one of Old Friends' newest retirees.   The "Dude" is the first horse in history to win three consecutive runnings of the grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. His list of triumphs also includes multiple victories in the grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup the 2013 grade 1 Pacific Classic.

  • Sarava - Originally a turf horse in Europe, Sarava won the 2002 Belmont Stakes, ending War Emblem's bid for the Triple Crown while doing so. He is the first classic winner to be retired at Old Friends.

     

  • Kudos - A multiple graded-stakes winner campaigned by Jerry and Ann Moss of Zenyatta fame, Kudos counts the Oaklawn Stakes, the California stakes and the Jim Murray Handicap among his seven victories.

     

  • Gulch - A superstar from his first step on the track, he capped off his career with a win in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Sprint. A long-time sire at Lane's End farm, his son, Thunder Gulch, won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1995.

  • Little Silver Charm - Neither a champion, nor a superstar, Little Silver Charm is nevertheless Old Friends's most famous resident. The mini-Shetland cross is a mascot and official spokeshorse, and is very popular with fans. His personal Facebook page boasts over 5,000 friends.

Mary Simon, a long-time supporter of Old Friends, has spearheaded the Equidoodle project. Simon has been creating equine art since 2001. "This is a wonderful opportunity to have an original work of art that just happens to have been created by a four-legged artist," said Simon. "It's a wonderful enrichment for the animals, and for the buyer it's like taking home a piece their spirit."

 

The "Equidoodles by Old Friends" auction will feature six original equine paintings, each measures 16x20 and is matted and ready for framing.

 

For the opportunity to view the artwork or to bid, go to http://stores.ebay.com/Old-Friends-Farm-Gift-Shop . Many of the pieces can also be viewed on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/equidoodlesbyoldfriends