Keywords: Old Friends, racing, retirement, Thoroughbred race horses
Old Friends Retirement
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January 24, 2009
Jan Hoadley
Old Friends Retirement
Many people campaign for better treatment of race horses, and still more campaigned to end slaughter. How many actually put their money up to support these horses?When a 10 year old bay gelding was found in a feedlot in the northwest he looked like he had a "story." Indeed he did. Approaching the mandatory retirement age for Thoroughbreds he made his last known start at a small Oregon track, far from the crowds just months earlier in California. Without a stud career to look forward to like his famous brother, the gelding landed in a feedlot. Someone put the pieces together - he was Cappucino Kid, a respected race horse. A racing fan fronted the money to get him out of the feedlot, and funds were raised to send him to a retirement home in Kentucky. Home to other famous and not so famous horses, Best Friends is the only Thoroughbred retirement center to take stallions.The star of Seabiscuit is here. His break came when he broke from the gate, literally. The movie shots of "Seabiscuit" breaking from the gate was actually Popcorn Deelites. Classy old stallions Ogygian, Creator and Sunshine Forever were shipped back from Japan, insuring they will not meet the same fate of Ferdinand. Bonnie's Poker, dam of Silver Charm, lives here. It's slated to be the retirement home of champion Lava Man.Of course housing and caring for these horses takes money and plenty of it. There are sponsorships at various levels available and for those who feed certain feeds the seals from those feedbacks can be donated to benefit the horses. Those involved in racing often are criticized yet are the most generous of supporters. When Madeleine Paulson found out her former champion Fraise was coming along with Ogygian, being returned to Kentucky from Japan, she promptly donated $50,000 and $15,000 towards their transportation costs to get them home. Fraise is gone now, and Ogygian is now 25 and living out his retirement with experienced care befitting these regal horses.This was the final home of great horses like Precisionist, Taylor's Special and Ballindaggin, horses that were incredibly special both on and off the track. Old Friends was slated to be the final home of Criminal Type and the game mare Estrapade. Sadly, Estrapade, 25, had a heart attack just days before she was to be moved to the farm, and Criminal Type, 20, died from a gastric rupture just before being shipped home from Japan.Old Friends is open to the public to see these classy old horses. The hard knocking Swan's Way, with 81 lifetime starts, Riva Way and Will's Way are lesser known but never the less deserving of their home here. Narrow Escape (yes that is really her name!) failed to bring a minimum bid as a 21 year old mare - the 25 year old daughter of Exceller is a living reminder of why Old Friends exists.Old Friends, located near Georgetown and not far from the Kentucky Horse Park, is a stop for not just Thoroughbred fans but horse lovers. It's a reminder of what can be done with a dream and donations from people who truly have the horse's interest at heart. Like any non-profit organization, donations are needed to continue their mission and to be available for the urgent cases they find. Because many are older horses special care is needed with veterinarian and day to day medical and comfort care.To get a glimpse of what makes old race horses special - stop at Old Friends on your next trip through Kentucky. Take a few minutes to view their website at http://www.oldfriendsequine.o rg/about-us.shtml and if you have ever doubted the love and respect those who love Thoroughbreds have for these horses go to the memorial for Precisionist. It's as eloquent a tribute as befits a champion both on and off the track. As you watch the Breeders Cup Championship day think of those Breeders Cup horses after retirement. It's because of Old Friends' facility they need not be killed for lack of a home. It's not enough to do away with slaughter if we don't provide for the horses 'saved.' Old Friends is old horse retirement as it's deserved.
Posted by Jan Hoadley
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