The response to Creator's passing has been overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who took their valuable time to drop us a note about how much he meant to you personally.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced their nominations for this year's class. We are so pleased that Old Friends' Black Tie Affair and, perhaps future Old Friend, Lava Man, were nominated. They both deserve it. You can read all about it in the attached press release.

Black Tie Affair was a very special horse to Old Friends. He was very intelligent, extremely courageous and lovable. Some of my favorite memories involve hand-grazing Black Tie Affair and Little Silver Charm at the same time on many a late afternoon. They really liked each other. I got such a kick out of them nuzzling while I was guzzling. Dee Poulos was so generous. She donated Black Tie Affair's tuxedo horse blanket (and if he gets into the Hall of Fame, I'm bringing it to Saratoga) and she loved him dearly. Every Breeders' Cup day she would send  an ornate spray of flowers in the familiar Breeders' Cup colors for his grave. Personally, I think Black Tie Affair would be a great addition the Hall of Fame.
Black Tie Affair Nominated
to Racing Hall of Fame

GEORGETOWN, KY - MARCH 3, 2015
This week The National Museum of Racing released the names of the 10 finalist for the 2015 ballot for induction into the Hall of Fame. Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, is pleased  to announce that retiree Black Tie Affair will lead the list of Thoroughbreds eligible for the honor.

Black Tie Affair was pensioned Old Friends following the end of his breeding career until his passing at the age of 24 in 2010.

In 1991 Black Tie Affair was victorious in six consecutive graded stakes for owner Jeff Sullivan and trainer Ernie T. Poulos, including the Stephen Foster (GR III), the Washington Park Handicap (GRII), and Philip H. Iselin Handicap (GRI).

The steel-gray son of Miswaki capped off his banner year with a gate-to-wire upset win in the Breeders' Cup Classic, conquering a field that included Twilight Agenda, Strike the Gold, and Unbridled. For his efforts he earned the Eclipse Award for Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year.

His career accolades included graded stakes wins at ages 3, 4 and 5 on a total of nine different racetracks.

The Irish-bred Black Tie Affair, who was produced from the Al Hattab mare Hat Tab Girl, retired with 18 wins from 45 starts and earnings of $3,370,694.

Black Tie Affair entered stud in 1992 at Ben Walden Jr.'s Vinery near Midway, KY, and later stood for several years in Japan. He has sired 35 stakes winners, including multiple G1 winner Formal Gold and 2001 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Evening Attire.

"Black Tie Affair is a double Eclipse winner--as Older Horse and Horse of the Year. This coupled with his victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic certainly makes him worthy of the Hall of Fame," said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. "He also raced everywhere," added Blowen, "and brought big crowds to small tracks across the country. We're very proud to have had him."

The nominees on this year's ballot include four jockeys, four Thoroughbreds and two Trainers and were selected by the Hall of Fame's 14-member Nominating Committee from a total of 68 initial candidates suggested by turf journalists, Thoroughbred-industry participants and racing fans. When voting has ended the four candidates with the highest vote totals will be elected.

Other equine nominees include Lava Man, Kona Gold and Xtra Heat. Should Black Tie Affair be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he will join the ranks of such Thoroughbred champions as Northern Dancer, Affirmed, Secretariat, Alysheba and John Henry.

The results of the voting will be announced on Monday, April 20. The induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs on Friday, Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public.