68 SIDELINES AUGUST 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Lauren R. Giannini
In 2002, when a story in
Bloodhorse
magazine broke the news
that Ferdinand – 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, 1987 Breeders’
Cup Classic winner and 1987 Eclipse Horse of the Year – had
met his demise in a Japanese slaughterhouse, cries of outrage
rippled throughout the horse world about such a cruel fate for the
big chestnut son of Nijinsky II, winner of the English Triple Crown.
The tragic news galvanized Michael Blowen, former
Boston Globe
film critic and passionate racing fan, who decided that this country
needed a Retired Racehorse Center.
Michael founded Old Friends in 2003 on a lovely farm in
Georgetown, Kentucky, just around the country corner from the
Kentucky Horse Park and a short drive from Keeneland Race
Track in Lexington. Old Friends cares for 131 Thoroughbreds in
Kentucky and the satellite farm in New York, founded in 2009,
where they live out their days being pampered and enjoyed by the
devoted and dedicated staff, led by Michael.
Old Friends is also a major stop for many tourists to the
Lexington area, which gives the retired racehorses the chance
to enjoy the admiration and attention of many visitors. One of Old
Friends’ busiest times is the week of the Kentucky Derby as well
as the previous weekend when the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day
Event takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“Our biggest fundraiser of the year is the Annual Homecoming,
the day after the Kentucky Derby,” Michael said. “Then we do
several events in the summer up at Saratoga where we have
another Old Friends farm,” said Michael. “We rely on grants,
fundraisers — we have a ‘How To Help’ page on our website —
and the generosity of people.”
For example, Afternoon Deelites earned over a million dollars in
e
12 starts for his owner, songwriter Burt Bacharach. “Last year, we
got a call from Burt’s office asking if we’d like to have the horse,”
said Michael. “I was so excited — he’s a wonderful horse. Kent
Desormeaux, Afternoon Deelites’ only jockey, said he was the
fastest horse he ever rode. We don’t ask for money; we accept
horses unconditionally. A few weeks after Afternoon Deelites’
arrival, we received a check from Burt’s foundation for $50,000. It
paid for a lot of vet care and treatments for our horses.”
On May 26, Old Friends lost their eldest equine statesman,
Clever Allemont, at age 32. “He was an amazing horse,” said
Michael. “Kristin Chambers found him in a slaughter auction in
Kansas and paid $200 for him. He was in terrible shape when
he came to us — skin and bones, but veterinarian Doug Byers
recommended a special diet and after three years he ended up
gaining 365 pounds.”
Clever Allemont won $316,329 in the course of his racing career,
which started when he was 2
with a five-race winning streak.
All told, he made 47 starts for 8
wins, 7 seconds, and 7 thirds.
In retirement, Clever Allemont’s
value was best measured by
his heart and gentle nature.
“That horse had an incredible
personality,” said Michael. “You
could lead him around the farm
with dental floss. He had one
eye and he was deaf. When we
had deaf students or visually
impaired visitors, he quickly
became their favorite horse.”
Another personal favorite
was Precisionist (1981–2006):
2003 inductee to the National
Horse Racing Hall of Fame,
1985 Eclipse Award Sprint
Champion, winner of nearly
Old Friends:
Young at Heart &
Horsing Around
Old Friends: Michael Blowen, Diane White and Little Silver
Charm
Photo by
