Daily Racing Form announced the publication of a special commemorative Old Friends
magazine, which is designed to help generate public awareness of the
issue of Thoroughbred retirement and aftercare in general and financial support specifically for Old Friends.
The nonprofit
company operates a farm based near Georgetown, Kentucky, which cares for more than
120 retired racehorses and draws nearly 20,000 visitors a year.
The magazine has
a cover price of $10, and 100 percent of the gross sales will be retained by Old
Friends for its Thoroughbred retirement program.
Old Friends magazine is 80-color pages packed
with stunning Barbara Livingston photographs, astute commentary by Jay Hovdey
and Glenye Cain Oakford and lifetime past performances, including the 22-win
streak by Rapid Redux and the 100-race losing streak of Zippy Chippy. The
magazine will be available for purchase at Saratoga Race Course at the Old
Friends community table on Travers Day, Saturday. The Old Friends
booth will open at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) and is located adjacent to the Jockey’s Room in the
grandstand. The magazine is also available online at
oldfriendsequine.org.
President and founder Michael Blowen says the 90-acre Old Friends
headquarters is a dream come true for a cause he is passionate about and would
not give up on, despite the challenges he faced at the outset. He got the idea
to open a retirement farm for pensioned stallions and allow racing fans and
horse lovers alike a chance to visit them over a decade ago. The program’s
success has led to expansion, with another branch at Cabin Creek Farm near
Greenfield Center, New York.
“It is all about the horse,” Blowen stated. “One of the really simple things
here is that when they come to Old Friends, they are literally the boss. They literally are in charge. They know there is water, there’s shelter,
and they’re going to get fed every day. We feed them, take care of their hooves
and look out for problems. They exercise themselves and race against each
other.”
“Daily Racing Form is proud to support Old Friends in such a meaningful way,”
said John J. Hartig, CEO of DRF. “We are all responsible for making
sure Thoroughbreds have a comfortable home after their racing and breeding
careers. Old Friends is an amazing success story, and we can’t think of a better
way to help them reach their fundraising goals than to illustrate what life is
like at Old Friends for the horses in their care. We are truly grateful for all
they do.”
The timing is relevant as Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel
Division in New York is home to several great New York Thoroughbred
stars, including a pair of Travers winners in Thunder Rumble (1992) and Will’s Way
(1996). Two-time Whitney winner (2005, 2008) Commentator is also spending the
summer in Saratoga under the watchful eye of farm owner JoAnn Pepper and her
great band of volunteers.
“We owe a great debt to Daily Racing Form for producing this
special magazine dedicated to these heroic athletes, and their leadership role
in the industry that is shaping a brighter future for everyone involved, but
especially, the horses,” Blowen added.
Hoping to reach a goal of $200,000 from the sale of the magazine, Blowen said,
“This is the greatest single fundraising source that Old Friends has ever
received and we are beyond thrilled.
Many industry supporters made
it possible for the DRF to donate 20,000 printed copies to Old Friends,
including Adena
Springs Retirement Program, Wines on Vine, West Point Thoroughbreds, Quillin
Leather & Tack, Breeders’ Cup, Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau,
National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Sallee Horse Vans, New York Racing
Association, Ann & Jerry Moss, Lane’s End, LubriSyn and WinStar.
To receive a review copy of Old Friends magazine, please contact Tami
McCarthy at 212-750-5755.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com