I arrived back in Portland very late (11:58pm) on Saturday after spending 11 hours getting back across the country. But I had one more stop to make before leaving Kentucky: Old Friends.
There are no words to describe how wonderful this place is. They are devoted to taking the unwanted Thoroughbreds from the racing industry (industry being the key term) and caring for them until the end. Injured, pensioned, or just slow, they take as many as they can.
Not only that, they let the public come see them. I petted Sarava (Belmont Stakes winner) and saw Gulch, favorite American racehorse of the Queen of England. I got a picture taken with the horse that played Seabiscuit and viewed the last living son of Secretariat.
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- Afternoon Deelites (wearing a grazing muzzle due to weight gain)
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- Arson Squad and I’m Charismatic
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- I’m Charismatic (in the back) is blind; Arson Squad leads him around.
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- 15 cats live here…
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- … this one in the office.
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- Creator
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- Flick and Danthebluegrassman
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- Flick and Danthebluegrassman
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- Danthebluegrassman
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- Flick
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- Eldaafer
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- Geri
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- Gulch… favorite American racehorse of the Queen of England. His contract gives her 24 hours access to him.
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- Little “Silver Charm”; his namesake may be coming to the farm soon.
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- Our guide and Mixed Pleasure (MP still in his fly mask)
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- Popcorn Deelites played Seabiscuit in the movie. His speciality was breaking from the gate.
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- I’m with a movie star! Such a good looking one too!
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- Rail Trip.
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- Rapid Redux heard a rumor about carrots.
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- Sarava, winner of the Belmont Stakes; the 70-1 shot that broke up War Emblem’s shot at the Triple Crown.
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- He’s known as “T-rex” because he gets very nippy with people in his space (unless you have carrots to bribe him with).
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- Special Ring has a trick!
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- Swan’s Way
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- This horse is named “You and I”. Several of his progeny are racing up her in the Pacific NW. He’s quite old.
It was an awesome experience.