Photo Essay: Old Friends of the Saratoga Turf

Earlier this summer, my girlfriend Amy and I went on a road trip to Kentucky. While there, we visited Big Brown at Three Chimneys Farm, spent a day at the races at Churchill Downs and on our way home stopped by Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement facility. It was a whirlwind weekend, that left us both wanting a return trip to the bluegrass state.

While at Old Friends, I was able to spend a little time with Kiri's Clown and Awad who were once bitter rivals on the Saratoga turf but now good friends (and neighbours) in the Kentucky bluegrass.

Awad and Kiri's Clown took turns defeating each other in the Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga and an article I wrote about the two distinguished turfers appeared in the Saratogian back on August 15th.

Kiri's Clown getting the better of Awad in the 1995 Sword Dancer


You can read my article by clicking on the picture below. (Use your "Back" button to return to the blog post.)



Awad and Kiri's Clown are just two of the countless stories that could be written about the talented inhabitants of Old Friends. Whether you're a writer or photographer, the facility is a virtual goldmine of creative inspiration. Besides, how cool is it to have a chance to feed carrots and mints to a group of multiple Stakes winning horses!

What follows is a photo essay of our day at Old Friends.

(As always, double left-click to enlarge the photo and use your "Back" button to return to the blog.)

Old Friends proprietor Michael Blowen with Little Silver Charm


Blowen convinces Clever Allemont that treats await over by the paddock fence


Amy makes a friend for life in Clever Allemont


Living the good life...


Did somebody say "carrots"?


How to make friends and influence horses


Precisionist - Gone, but not forgotten


Precisionist dusts Smile at Aqueduct. Has there ever been another horse so effective at both six and ten furlongs?


Ballindaggin - Winner of the 1988 Molson Million at Woodbine


Leave Seattle - Stay at Old Friends


Orange Alert! Follow that bag of carrots!


Awad - Sword Dancer winner and track record holder


Amy poses in front of the Old Friends farmhouse that provides shelter to several cats including one who calls the convertible in the driveway his home.


We had a wonderful trip. I highly recommend staying at the Old Friends Bed and Breakfast on your next trip to Kentucky. The farm is conveniently located in the heart of stallion farm country and it's an easy drive down the Interstate to Churchill Downs.

Photos and stories from our visit to Three Chimneys will be posted in the coming week.