EVER WONDERED WHAT A RACEHORSE RETIREMENT HOME IS LIKE? | Old Friends Farm

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms hosts more stakes winners than anywhere in the world and provides some of racing's biggest stars with the chance to enjoy retirement in the care of some loving humans.
Michael Blowen takes us on a behind the scenes tour of the yard as we get up close and personal with some real racing characters.
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[@beth2513]

These ‘retiree’s’, deserve this, thank you Michael!

[@DS-ky9dl]

You have the best job in the world, caring for these wonderful athletes. Thank you for being there for them.

[@deeprecce9852]

I hope Racing Club globally shld all have rules to set aside money for their racing horses retirement fund to ensure that we treat our 4 legged friends with dignity and appreciation!

[@missanna208802]

They wouldn't be able to make any money if they did. They'd probably be in the hole if they cared for every ex racehorse until the end of their lives because there are way too many horses. These are all big winners. The rest are not so lucky.

[@myronschabe]

I couldn't agree more!....something needs to be done if racing wants to continue because it is simply not ethical how it happens today....funds need to be set aside for retirees and those that never make it racing...programs could be set up to retrain/rehome many, and/or land set aside etc., if that can't happen then the industry should crumble. Man can't abuse nature the way it does and think it is a wholesome society.

[@joseguedes2498]

Michael is an angel God put on Earth.

[@BeveC21E]

What a lovely man he is! God bless him always! One of the best human beings ever! Thank you!

[@johnobrien5440]

HA! I love when the horse demanded the carrots' "enough of the small talk" . Funny! I never heard of such a place. How awesome! This is one cool guy and I bet the horses feel the same.

[@lespangen]

Absolutely wonderful man bless him and I’m glad the Mrs. Stuck the career change out and stayed with the blessed “idiot “😬and no rush to get to the finish line: stay around and enjoy your fabulous creation😬

[@lespangen]

( and hope you can open up soon if not already allowing tours🤬

[@jewelskye7959]

We were at Old Friends last week and Michael spent a LOT of time with our tour group, telling us everything. His joy is contagious and the horses are one more beautiful than the next, well cared for and I recommend a visit - or two or three - to everyone. This place is heaven on earth!

[@richardcoreno]

Old Friends is a fantastic facility -- a visit should be on the bucket list of every fan.

[@stomblin70]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Mr. Blowen for coming up with this "crazy" idea! Very beautiful documentary.

[@jeffcurtis5265]

So glad to see no thumbs down. Who could not love these magnificent animals, and yes magnificent athletes. They're getting great care

[@meezerkatz]

I can identify with everything Mr. Blowen says! The best "Good Idea" I have ever heard! I can't wait to come visit and spend some time with the horses that I have loved for years. 💕

[@christinematton4125]

This guy is the BEST went to old friends and he came over and started talking to all of us...just a nice man❤ love what he does. Please visit this place .

[@LisaPelletier]

I used to work at Saratoga. This is beautiful. What wonderful work to just love these beautiful animals who give so much. You are a true blessing to them.

[@sherrydee7880]

Great story about a great place! I spent 5 years walking hots and grooming on the SoCal racing circuit and to this day, I can truly say that my best friends have always been the ones with four legs! These great animals need to be treated with the utmost care and respect by us humans.

[@Jennlynch7894]

I love this. Thank you for caring for our old friends, so needed!

[@equine2020]

Go, support these beautiful horses. Michelle is a great guy. Spent a day with him & he showed me the horse. The love him , & the horses share is beautiful to see. We talked about my thoroughbreds. I love these horses.

[@kayrobertson5460]

Oh my days what an utterly brilliant man...I totally admire everything about him...absolutely wonderful such a perfect place for these very talented horses to end there days.hoses could do with a few more people like this with so much love & compassion.absolutely love this video 😇❤️😌❤️

[@lovesbriardi]

Thank you for what you do for these horses !

[@nemz86]

What you are doing is amazing Sir 🙏🏼🙌🏼...They all need to be taken care of and loved thats the best thing we can give them back ❤...I felt the pain when he said so many have left us...I really hope i could visit this place one day ❤...

[@kathleengreen4857]

Thank you!

[@anwendutson4421]

Hey, Michael! It's me, Annie the bus driver! I used to work at Bluegrass Tours. I'm back in Oregon now and retired, and my "name" is now "the famous Stagecoach Annie". I live in a small town called The Dalles, OR, on the Columbia River at the end of the Oregon Trail. Coming across the video of you here on You Tube made my year. I've been close to tears just seeing and hearing you talk about the horses. You have some new ones since I left and some are gone now, but not little Silver Charm. He just keeps going on and on! I need to go to your website and check in there, too, and see all the newbies at Old Friends. Just so glad to see you again!

[@assuredlife]

Thanks for taking care of these wonderful horses~ miss the track

[@forrestmeadows9584]

God bless you and your endeavors. What a wonderful thing you are doing for those truly wonderful horses.

[@Sagitariusmaria]

Wonderful man! Thank you for caring, such a beautiful passion. The animals are a blessing from God.

[@judygaddis3098]

Don't know how I missed seeing this until now but so glad I found it -- seeing War Emblem so bright and beautiful brought tears to my eyes since he just recently passed away. He was and will always be my favorite resident at Old Friends. And thank you, Michael, for all that you and your staff do for our wonderful equines when their racing and/or breeding careers are over. There is a special place in Heaven awaiting you.

[@kymsimons3752]

Just wonderful, very similar to Living Legends here in Australia. It has all our old racing horses there. It’s just incredible. I love the concept and I applaud you for taking the risk. It was worth it.

[@taurusxox96]

This is my dream!!! I want to do this...

[@lespangen]

Why “ Bob “ on your hat Mr. blowen?: bless you for establishing Old Friends and taking care of these wonderful retirees 😬

[@desertdog7171]

This place is paradise.

[@alisonlee3314]

What a wonderful little film!

[@jalysafaseler5232]

War Emblem is my favorite KD Winner, that was my first ever KD!

[@normajackson4496]

I know what you mean Bob I would to not live the place it is beautiful and well kept you get the peace that any one wants in life and the horses feel the same hear it from a 70 years old thank you for what you do

[@sunnyseacat6857]

Wonderful to know the horses are allowed to be themselves instead of slot machines for the previous owners. The horsing industry - all of it, every aspect of it - will change/is changing and all for the betterment of the horses. The grotesque Big Lick (Tennessee) will end soon, too, thanks to the tireless work of HorsePlus (Tennessee). What a terrific vacation for people to venture to Old Frends.... ah, the world is a better place, indeed...

[@normajackson4496]

I for got to say that it’s good that the horses come there to retire and not bad place I don’t want the horses to read my comment but you know what I mean God bless every one that works there take care Bob

[@lsieu]

Miss you, Michael Blowen. I wish you'd put out more videos. Silver Charm needs a new promo video! btw - we welcomed a foal this week, a filly, by I'll Have Another out of Chalky (IRE) CANFORD CLIFFS (IRE) - BEAUTIFUL HILL (IRE), BY DANEHILL.. She's got a great look to her, with her long long legs!

[@deetngator1624]

Definitely bucket list and want to live close enough to go visit regularly

[@Mrbigp59]

thank you so much for what you do. I could only hope I could do what you do every day miss being around these beautiful horses.

[@stubbboss2402]

Great video absolutely love this new channel

[@philipmatthews7128]

Excellent

[@faibishclassical]

You are a good man.

[@katherinepoletto7875]

oh Sir.HIRE ME PLZ.My McGee i had his Whole Life.i knew him from 9mnths old and got him at 2.33 yrs i had him.i Would Love to Visit.We took in a couple of mistreated thoroughbreds.It was the best thing i ever did. Sir, i Thank You So.And your Wife.k.poletto.GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

[@lespangen]

Bless you Mr. B : visionary hero not idiot😬if I had a magic wand I would use it to persuade the Mosses to see if Zenyatta would be happy in your group of retired maresif/when they retire her from broodmare duty 😬🙏🏼 she reportedly loves attention from people so conceivably would be happy to receive carrot tribute and pats from tours

[@markanthonycruzii5077]

Is that the creator the gray that won the belmont?

[@SnidgetAsphodel]

No. That Creator is standing at stud.

[@anubias_twist]

For everyone and anyone who knows nothing about this farm: They take in more than just Stakes winners. Don't take time commenting about how they only take in good horses, when they've not only taken in Stakes winners but also unraced broodmares and claimers.

[@lespangen]

Even more admirable 😬👏🏻👏🏻👍❤️❤️

[@leanneadams2549]

Do you get to do any light riding ? Or absolutely no riding allowed ?? I would think a light rider wouldn’t bother the sound ones to much.

[@diamondlambillotte9304]

That's sweet I love horses too I own my own paint horse can I see the tone color horse The poetry of but she's got the paint pattern sweetheart she's actually escaped a couple times and got my papou into a little bit of trouble but I wouldn't trade her for the world and I know when she dies it's going to hurt doesn't lose your best friend no matter if they're human or an animal can horses are special we have history with them since a long time even the Vikings have horses

[@bhamikaraweerasinghe8129]

Silver charm

[@Sagitariusmaria]

Sad that you lost 8 😔

[@diamondlambillotte9304]

Have you ever owns want a secretary Chris ancestors or anything like that cuz he's my favorite race horse all-time there's something special about that horse allposters are special but to me secretary has had something that was definitely special about him define get it from his mom or dad love the run you were born for it he asked me he was known as secretaries but in the big races who's known as Big Red

[@kylekallin1750]

This is where the lucky ones go the unlucky ones end up going to slaughter in Mexico

[@marysalisbury9270]

Travers Stakes

[@klarapasztor4871]

And would the care to explain that where are the other 10 000s of other horses, these are just a few lucky big money makers, where are the other living beings, or do these people see them even as a living being, or just a pile of money?

[@meganproffitt424]

They are in private homes, at the track, looking for new homes, etc If you want a genuine question with genuine concern then don't ask so negatively and aggressively. It might get you somewhere.

[@rafaelmoral9009]

Are these horses can still breed?

[@meganproffitt424]

Technically the stallions (and maybe the mares) can, but at this facility they are retired.

[@asportableskatesharpening4207]

This operation would be far more admirable if he adopted 5000 claimers after they retire. There would never be a problem finding Silver Charm a good home so this afterlife farm is not really helping the unwanted OTTB population much at all.

[@klarapasztor4871]

These are hypocrite people, they do this, so the massive amount of betters and racing supporters will feel good, that a few big moneymakers or crowd favorites are happily retired, they shut they eyes, from the ugly truth, that this is a very small percentage of racehorses who end up here.

[@anubias_twist]

They actually do. They have over 200 horses, many of who are claimers. They even have a small race at Kentucky Downs and any horse who wins is granted a home at their farm.

[@catzdollz9810]

one of the most HORRIBLE stories of a champion race horse, was that of PLATINUM TICKET.

[@missanna208802]

Those horses won the lotto. Most end up as dog food.

[@stellakitty2755]

It’s a shame and evil that lot of horse are killed as little as two weeks after winning $200.000 for the owner. Same with greyhounds.

[@meganproffitt424]

What are you going on about?