Rick Capone - History of Old Friends: A Home for Retired Thoroughbreds

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by Rick Capone

All rights reserved

Cover image of Michael Blowen and Sunshine Forever courtesy of the author.

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62584.824.6

Library of Congress CIP data applied for.

print edition ISBN 978.1.62619.331.4

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

In memory of

Sunshine Forever

1988 Champion Turf Horse

and

Old Friends beloved Foundation Stallion

Sunshine Forever. Courtesy of author.

Contents

Foreword

Its rare I have the luxury of looking back, as theres so much going on in the presenttrying to create more opportunities to retire more of these spectacular athletes. But when I do think back, I believe Im even luckier than Lou Gehrig. I couldnt imagine that I would be fortunate enough to help Thoroughbreds such as Precisionist and Polish Navy in their final days. Some evenings, Id take Black Tie Affair, who was suffering from numerous maladies, out of his stall and hand-graze him. I know its selfish, but it was just me and the wire-to-wire winner of the Breeders Cup Classic and Horse of the Year getting to spend some time together. I couldnt have been more star-struck if Larry Bird and Magic Johnson showed up.

I remember when we first started Old Friends. Brereton C. Jones, former governor of Kentucky and owner and manager of Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky, was pretty skeptical. He asked if we were going to race, breed, buy or sell the horses, and I answered no in each case. What exactly are you going to do? he asked. I told him that I was going to put them in my yard and hope that people will come to visit. His eyes glazed over. Now, more than a decade later, Brere is one of our biggest supporters, and weve been able to retire three former Airdrie stallionsPatton, Afternoon Deelites and You and Ito Old Friends.

One day about eight years ago, Dr. Doug Byars left a $1,000 donation in our office. I had never met Dr. Byars, but I knew his reputation as the premier diagnostic vet in the Thoroughbred business. I called him to thank him for the generous donation and weaseled my way in to talk to him about Old Friends. That afternoon, over a six-pack of Samuel Adams, he advised me on everything. No, truth be told, he lectured me in the most informative, enlightening way. Hes been a friend and counselor ever since. More importantly, he cares deeply about these horses. Since then, Dr. Steve Allday and Dr. Bryan Waldridge have provided dedicated and knowledgeable service.

Along with all the great veterinarians, were thankful to the Kentucky Horse Shoeing School, which comes out to the farm and, like an army, swarms across the ninety-two acres to trim and take care of all the horses hoofs.

Were grateful to Lanes End for Gulch, Tracy and Carol Farmer for Commentator and the Japanese Racing Association for helping us bring five stallions to Old Friends after their breeding careers were over: Creator, Sunshine Forever, Ogygian, Fraise and Wallenda. Were grateful to Betty Sue Walters of Afton Farm, Alfred Nuckols Jr. of Hurstland Farm, Charles Nuckols III of Nuckols Farm, Mark and Joanne Pepper of Cabin Creek Farm, Stephen Upchurch and everyone else who helped Old Friends grow from 1 retiree to more than 150.

The volunteers of Old Friends are the human backbone of the farm. Whether its conducting entertaining, informative tours or doing research on a new retiree, they are absolutely priceless. Old Friends could not possibly exist without them.

Were grateful to Sylvia Stiller, who runs our office with amazing efficiency, organizes all of our events and, basically, keeps all the plates in the air.

Also, thanks go to Janet Beyersdorfer and Kent Ralson for their years of service to Old Friends and, today, Tim Wilson and Carole Oates for managing the farm to new levels since they started early in 2014.

Its fun to meet the jockeys who come back to visit the horses that made them famous: Chris McCarron, Kent Desormeaux, Julien Leparoux, Richard Migliore, Calvin Borel, Jean Cruguet and others. Also, Rosie Napravnik, who sits on our board of directors, raises more money and awareness for Old Friends than anyone.

Sallee Vans has done all of our horse shipping for free ever since we started. Jim Gibbs of Versailles Feed, Home and Garden allowed us to run our feed bill to astronomical heights when money was tight, but he always delivered. Woodford Reserve bourbon is an invaluable partner, and Wild Turkey, through Rosie, has really stepped up to the plate.

Were grateful to sisters Kim Boyle and Aimee Boyle Wulfeck, two supporters of Old Friends who have created one of the premier events during Kentucky Derby weekFerdinands Ballwhich helps more Thoroughbreds receive a dignified retirement.

Michael and his wife, Diane, along with Little Silver Charm at Christmas in 2011. Courtesy of author.

Ercel and Jackie Ellis, hosts of Horse Tales on WLXG radio, invited me to tell stories of our retired Thoroughbreds from the beginning, and having their blessing was a blessing indeed. The media have been great: Bill Mooney, Ed DeRosa, Mary Simon, Steve Haskin, Jay Hovdey, Ray Paulick, BloodHorse, Paulick Report, Thoroughbred Times, HRTV, TVG, CBS, NBC and dozens of others. We owe the most to Mandy Minger of Daily Racing Form, whose unwavering support of these animals led to the publication of the Old Friends magazine.

Of course, none of this would be possible without Diane White, who, perhaps in a moment of weakness thirty-two years ago, agreed to marry me. From the very beginning, when I asked her to move from Boston to Midway, Kentucky, emptied out her mothers bank account and reduced ours to practically nothing, she never wavered. She loves the horses as much as I do. Today, we live together without much money and no regrets.

Finally, thanks to all the horsesespecially Sunshine Forever, Precisionist, Marquetry, Black Tie Affair, Invigorate, Summer Attraction and Little Silver Charmfor enriching my life far beyond what I deserve.

In the 1989 Breeders Cup Turf, Prized and Sunshine Forever lined up next to each other in the starting gate. Twenty-five years later, they lived in adjoining paddocks right outside my window.

In 1995, I drove from Boston to Saratoga to see one of my favorite races, the Sword Dancer Stakes, another long-distance turf race. Kiris Clown went wire-to-wire to beat Awad by a 1/2 length, setting a new track record. On that day, I couldnt get a seat. Both Kiris Clown and Awad ended up at Old Friends, and for many years, I had the best seat in the house.

I hope you enjoy reading Rick Capones wonderful history of Old Friends.

MICHAEL BLOWEN

President and Founder, Old Friends