Old Friends Virtual Tour - Patch & Stormy Liberal

Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms, talks about retirees Patch and Stormy Liberal. Filmed by Mary Greene. Please consider making a donation to Old Friends at www.oldfriendsequine.org
Patch:
Bred and raced by historic Calumet Farm, Patch was a top racehorse despite having only one eye. As a two year old, Patch developed an ulcer in his left eye that did not respond to the best of medical care. The eye had to be surgically removed, but that didn’t stop Patch from becoming a confident, strategic racehorse. As one of the best three year olds of 2017, he went on the Kentucky Derby trail, earning a berth in the run for the roses with a second in the Louisiana Derby trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. In the Derby Patch drew the outermost post position, a disadvantage even for horses sighted on their left side, and during the race he had to contend with heavy traffic. The Belmont Stakes gave him a better chance to show what he could do. With John Velazquez up, Patch finished third at a mile and a half against the best of his contemporaries. At four he ran well in prestigious Grade 1 company and scored an allowance win at Belmont Park. He wound up his competitive career in 2019 with earnings of $532,450. Old Friends is grateful to Calumet Farm for enabling this exceptionally bright, personable gelding’s retirement with us.
Stormy Liberal:
Stormy Liberal began his ascent to the top in the 2017 Clocker’s Corner Stakes at Santa Anita. Officially he was five years old, though his fifth birthday was some months away. He was owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. In the irons was Norberto Arroyo, Jr. The victory began a four race all-stakes win streak that included the Joe Hernandez, the Siren Lure and his first graded stakes win, the Daytona Stakes (G3). His campaign crescendoed with his victory in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) with Joel Rosario up. In 2018, owned by Rockingham Ranch and David A. Bernsen, Stormy Liberal won the Green Flash Handicap, the Eddie D Stakes (G3), and his second Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) win with Drayden Van Dyke riding. In 2019 he hit the board in four graded stakes for a career total of $2,212,580. Old Friends thanks David Bernsen and Peter Miller for enabling the game campaigner’s retirement and veterinarian David Scanlon and team for the proactive assessment on which the connections made the right decision for the horse.
About Old Friends: 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 Old Friends at www.oldfriendsequine.org. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

[@rebeccalarmand9357]

Stormy & Patch are in such great shape & appear to be happy horses.

[@susanedwards4581]

Beautiful horse.

[@johnwalsh3215]

Patch is such a good boy!!!!

[@johnwalsh3215]

I was so happy to see those to became such great buds in later videos!

[@lisabenson]

Little Silver Charm is a great ambassador!

[@deetngator1624]

So special to give these great horses a place to shine

[@pauletterichards4755]

You take great care of these beautiful horses

[@xYonoe]

homie got swag can’t cap

[@johnwalsh3215]

Should have mentioned Patch came in 3rd at Belmont

[@sues8746]

Patch likes to run!

[@michelleduckett22]

Can't wait to go see Patch in the future

[@marilynshively670]

Patch is an absolute doll!!!!

[@claudiajs9012]

Thank you so much for these virtual tours. Such wonderful videos while we isolate 🏇

[@middlebrook12123]

PATCH!

[@MegaPerson012345]

Thank you so much Mr. Blowen for all you do for these horses and their fans

[@robertfootball1]

I’ve got to make it out to see Patch! He was one of my favorite horses!

[@sbarnes2986]

Good morning from Perth WA ❤🥰🐑🐕

[@cathym7071]

Love to visit Old Friends, and can't wait to see Patch!

[@spenfor1598]

Beautiful and now safe the rest of their lives! Can't wait to see them and all the other horses we've met before! Bless you Mr. Blowen! 💕🐎🌞

[@TheBlue65packer]

I love the ending of the video's with Micheal driving the golf cart with Little Silver Charm running next to it!

[@bobbieswift2874]

Thanks Michael for sharing Patch and Stormy with all of us. They are both in such great shape, and obviously full of play. I’m looking forward to seeing them again .

[@lorimontejano6597]

The horses are so blessed to have someone like you to have love and care for them :)

[@ZenyattafanfromCa]

Both these horses are so happy and in such a great place. Thank you Michael. This was a real treat. Sorry about your bet. I had Roy H and Stormy in my exacta . Is Roy H in as good a place?

[@judyakajude3370]

Boy both PATCH and STORMY can still run 🐎 I really enjoyed PATCH running with Michael 😁 Thank you for today's visit 😍💓

[@melissa007ish]

Great stuff! I have been to Old Friends 3 times and loved every minute of it. Can't wait to meet these new guys.

[@bg147]

Patch is full of himself.