Sure, there are countless Thoroughbred and all-breed rescue and retirement facilities around the country, but Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky., has some particularly dignified retirees.

Motivated to action by the death of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand by slaughter in 2002, founder Michael Blowen established Old Friends to provide one-time celebrated Thoroughbreds with the retirement they deserve after their racing and breeding careers are over.

Old Friends’ roster of retirees (several of them stallions, as the facility is one of the only of its kind to accept them) reads like a who’s who of Thoroughbreds past their prime.  In the paddocks you might run into Awad, earner of $3.2 million during his racing career, or Eclipse award-winner Sunshine Forever. Or you might be greeted by Affirmed Success, one of the best sons of Triple Crown winner Affirmed, and a couple aging sons of Seattle Slew

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