Old Friends Virtual Tour -Alphabet Soup & Gorgeous George 2020

Monday Mornings with Michael Blowen! and a new Old Friends Virtual Tour. Today meet Alphabet Soup and his pal, Gorgeous George. Filmed by Mary Greene. Please consider making a donation to support our over 200 thoroughbred retirees. As always, thank you!
Alphabet Soup’s victory over the great Cigar in the 1996 Breeder’s Classic was one of the most thrilling running of that race in its entire history. Bred in Pennsylvania by Southeast Associates, the son of Cozzene began racing at the age of three and the following year won his first stakes, the Brubaker Handicap at Del Mar (G2), ridden by Chris McCarron, who teamed with him again to win the Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H. Chris Antley rode the grey colt for his three-stakes win streak in the 1995 Native Diver H (G3), 1996 San Pasqual H (G2) and 1996 San Antonio H (G2) at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, and a victory in the Pat O’Brien H (G3). His 1996 campaign established Alphabet Soup as a worthy contender in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Woodbine, but his opponents were one of the strongest fields ever to compete in the race: Cigar, Preakness winner Louis Quatorze, Will’s Way, Formal Gold… Alphabet Soup and McCarron defeated Louis Quatorze by a nose and Cigar by a head and set a track record of 2:01 for a mile and a quarter. His career earnings for Ridder Thoroughbred Stable and trainer David E. Hofmans were $2,990,270 in 10 wins, 3 seconds and 6 thirds from 24 starts. At Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs, Alphabet Soup sired 48 stakes winners including Sovereign Champion Alpha Bettor, millionaire Our New Recruit, and G1 winning filly Egg Drop. In 2015 he retired to Old Friends, which extends thanks to Mr. Stronach and Adena Springs for entrusting us with his care.
Gorgeous George is a miniature donkey and Alphabet Soup's best friend. Originating on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, miniature donkeys turned family grindstones, carried shepherds’ supplies into the mountains, and pulled light loads along the narrow village lanes. Robert Green imported them to America in 1929, saying of them, "Miniature Donkeys possess the affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation of a cow, the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and an intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's." Gorgeous George joined Old Friends in summer, 2017, when his owner’s unexpected passing left him homeless. Confident little George fit right in from the first day on the farm. When he caught the eye of Alphabet Soup, the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner let us know he just had to have Gorgeous George for his companion. The feeling was mutual. George spends time with other horses as well, but his favorite things to do are grazing with Alphabet Soup and helping him greet their visitors.
Old Friends is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we hope to raise awareness of all equines in need. Please consider making a donation to support our horses. www.oldfriendsequine.org Subscribe to our KZbin channel to keep up with new videos!

[@BigSharkk]

R.I.P. Alphy...carry on George and may you find another soulmate as wonderful as Alphy

[@johnwalsh3215]

Heart breaking!! Hang in there George! RIP Alphy, you will be remembered and your legacy lives on!

[@Caroni100]

@@johnwalsh3215 Alphabet Soup (March 31, 1991 - January 28, 2022) * Sire: Cozzene * Grandsire: Caro * Dam: Illiterate * Damsire: Arts and Letters * Sex: Stallion * Breeder: Southeast Associates * Owner: Ridder Thouroughbred Stables * Trainer: David Hofmans * 24 Starts * 10 Wins * 3 Seconds * 6 Thirds * $ 2,990,270 earned (Curret $ 4,911,018) * Rest In Peace, Champion! We´ll always remember you! * Greetings from Venezuela

[@roseballard6307]

RIP Soupy. Love you always!

[@megfrank8372]

NOSOUPFORYOU!!!!! Love it 😍

[@johnwalsh3215]

They’re both good boys!!!

[@johnwalsh3215]

This is a great video, how can it not warm your heart!

[@cliftman18]

what s neat-looking stable

[@Dan6erous]

RIP Alphie. The greates Breeder's Cup upset upset we've ever seen.

[@theseventysevenmiles]

Just heard Alphabet Soup passed, much condolences George.

[@frantroje3177]

Hi alphabet soup! Well if he wasn’t DQ’d in that one race........he would have made 3 million! Is there a connection with greys if they win the Breeder’s cup are they more susceptible to melanomas? He looks great! Thanks for keeping the horses happy! George is a great addition to the farm

[@bg147]

I played that old timer when he won at Woodbine. He is long in the tooth and obviously content.

[@ZenyattafanfromCa]

They have a wonderful life. Thank you Old Friends and St Michael.

[@lilyalperin1157]

I rescued Alphabet Soups grandson out of Our New Recruit, “Stufdrmsrmadeof” and owed him for 7 years…he had the most wonderful personality! Turned him into a hunter, until he had an accident and we had to put him down. I can see my horse in Alphabet Soups face😊

[@jonhaynes1577]

With all the confusion and unrest going on now it is like a breath of fresh air to see someone with so such much love and compassion for these great Horses

[@johnwalsh3215]

Just watched Alfie‘s breeders cup classic win, what a great race that was!

[@Sagitariusmaria]

You are so caring for them. You are doing a beautiful job. God bless you and bless the animals.😍

[@kkyoungblood9723]

Soooooo sweet💕💓💗💞❣️

[@melissa007ish]

Met Alphabet Soup a couple of times. I got a bunch of good pictures. He loved the attention and seemed annoyed when we turned our backs to look at the other horses. I ran back and gave him a few more carrots. Love him!

[@CC-xk6cp]

Soo enjoying your stories of all the horses. Warms my heart to know how much you care for them all. Your safe haven is such a life saver for them and such a wonderful experience for those to visit some of the greats. Thank you so very much for all you do. You're one of life's special servants...

[@spenfor1598]

Oh my what a wonderful life these two are having! Have seen both several times! Mr. Blowen you are truly one of the greatest men on this earth for what you do for these magnificent horses and their buddies!! Bless you and plan to see these best buds again as soon as possible!!!

[@lespangen]

RIP Alphie hope George finds a new buddy

[@tomware28]

Michael, thank you for the video visit. Looking forward to going to the farm and visiting all the great athletes. Truly makes my day.

[@leighannestockdale8939]

I love Alphabet Soup! He helped me win the Breeder's Cup to be able to buy tires for my car. So glad to see he is doing so well! Love your videos. Hope to get back to visit the retirement farm soon!

[@judyakajude3370]

Thank you Alphie and George for the Monday smiles 😁 😀 Michael, you're the best!! 😘

[@veronicacarney8411]

Thank you again Michael for this wonderful Monday video. Heard a lot about him but I finally got to meet alphabet soup and I love his companion George. And Michael you might be a senior like alphabet soup, but I've seen you run alongside the fence with the horses! I'm a senior to I can't run like that👍🏻🐎

[@patquint3291]

If this virus thing improves I am definitely visiting! Good wishes from Missouri.

[@11SEXMACHINE]

Old cigar highlights brought me here. I Googled Alphi to see how long he had lived and holy crap he's still alive!! He looks great for 29, hell he looks 15 20 tops.

[@lisabenson]

Gorgeous George is a great companion!

[@kennethnero2011]

Good ole Alphabet Soup 🍜 he should be in the 100th greatest horses of the 20th century

[@cliftman18]

Stay well, Mike. Your friends need you!

[@bethkoch11]

It brightened my day to see those old buddies hanging out! A great way to start the week. I love your videos.

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Gutsy horse, and I bet him a lot, including 10 and 10 in the Classic the year he won it. Later he was a good lil sire for some horses at a good price most of the time. God bless him.

[@lespangen]

Hoping George has found a new buddy following the unfortunate loss of Alphie there’s a tape of Alphie’s defeat of the great Cigar on You Tube

[@Caroni100]

Alphabet Soup (March 31, 1991 - January 28, 2022) * Sire: Cozzene * Grandsire: Caro * Dam: Illiterate * Damsire: Arts and Letters * Sex: Stallion * Breeder: Southeast Associates * Owner: Ridder Thouroughbred Stables * Trainer: David Hofmans * 24 Starts * 10 Wins * 3 Seconds * 6 Thirds * $ 2,990,270 earned (Curret $ 4,911,018) * Rest In Peace, Champion! We´ll always remember you! * Greetings from Venezuela Alphabet Soup (31 de Marzo, 1991 - 28 de Enero, 2022) * Padre: Cozzene * Abuelo paterno: Caro * Madre: Illiterate * Abuelo materno: Arts and Letters * Sexo: Semental * Criador: Southeast Associates * Propietario: Ridder Thouroughbred Stables * Entrenador: David Hofmans * 24 Salidas * 10 Primeros * 3 Segundos * 6 Terceros * $ 2,990,270 producidos ($ 4,911,018 actuales) * ¡Descansa En Paz, Campeón! ¡Siempre te recordaremos! * Saludos desde Venezuela