Old Friends is Heaven for Retired Thoroughbreds

Many of us love to watch horses racing but only a few select horses become winners, and fewer still capture the imagination of the public or are dominant enough to be superstars. For many Thoroughbreds once retirement comes it can be to a breeding farm, a second career under saddle such as dressage, jumping or polo or another facet of retirement jobs. Some horses, through no fault of their own, fall through the cracks to hardships ranging from abuse to neglect to slaughter feedlots.

Then there are the lucky horses that are retired to horse heaven in Kentucky at the Old Friends Retirement farm. After Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was found to have been sent to slaughter in Japan more concern was given to the retirement of thoroughbreds. There was a problem in that many retirement homes do not accept stallions.

Old Friends changed that with policies that accept stallions, mares and geldings. Bonnie's Poker, dam of champion Silver Charm, is retired at the Georgetown Kentucky farm. Visitors can tour the farm and see champion horses such as Ogygian and other stallions. The champion gelding Commentator as well as the hard knocking Bluesthestandard retired to the farm in October 2009. "Seabiscuit" star Popcorn Deelites is also a resident at the farm.

Like other non-profit organizations fundraising is needed. This is important year round as the care of horses is needed year round. Along with donations there are sponsorships and horse related items.

The thoroughbred industry has embraced Old Friends with donations of halters from champions English Channel and Fleet Indian. Items from top horses such as Cigar, Medglia D'Oro, Giant's Causeway, Monarchos, Ten Most Wanted, Big Brown, Unbridled's Song and Johannesburg are among those that have raised funds for Old Friends.

Old Friends sits on 92 acres that is horse heaven. Lush pastures, warm stalls and the best of individual care awaits horses from the famous to Little Silver Charm, a miniature that came from the track after a career of another kind. It was the final home of beloved champion Precisionist and other very special horses.

This care takes money from veterinary care to routine care to feed and individual things that any resident horse may need.

If you love horses this is a great way to insure that old horses have a retirement home, sometimes after their first and second career like champion and good sire Black Tie Affair. Give a donation at any time. Be it Christmas, Derby Day, Breeders Cup day or just because another horse may need help.

Old Friends. Good friends are needed. Help a Thoroughbred today. Even the best get older. They have a home at Old Friends.