Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., hosted a welcome reception and press conference for media and fans to meet new retiree Rapid Redux June 1.

Even though there were rainstorms and a drastic drop in temperature, about 35 journalists, photographers, and fans, some from as far away as New York, came out to see the 6-year-old gelding that holds the modern North American record for consecutive wins by a Thoroughbred.

In January, Rapid Redux, a Kentucky-bred, earned his 22nd straight victory at Laurel Park before he was retired from racing. He bettered the 19-race win streaks set by Peppers Pride and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta.

Claimed for $6,250 in 2010 by owner Robert Cole, Jr and trained by David Wells, Rapid Redux finished his career with 28 wins from 42 lifetime starts. His earnings total $361,609