Si2see
01-28-2016, 01:28 PM
Hey Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have wanted to post this for a few weeks and long story short I took a new job after being with my old company for 9 years... So I finally have the time type this out like I want to and give Old Friends the recognition that they deserve.
As some of you know I have been going to Old Friends Farm and Keeneland opening weekend every 6 months for 7 years now. Well our friend Michael wanted us to come back before April and we figured what better time than New Years Weekend. So we made the almost 8 hour haul from Virginia New Years Eve which was nice without much traffic.
Before I start with the pictures I wanted to first take this time ( while having PA permission ) to just make a statement.
It is REMARKABLE the amount of time, effort, money, and heart and soul that has been put into this farm to give former/retired race horses a chance to live like kings for the rest of their life. I could have never imagined what Michael Blownen's dream and vision would have turn in to if I hadn't seen it unfold over the last 7 years myself.
I encourage you to put this on your bucket list of places you must visit, and for those of you who aren't able to do that, please think of the money it takes to run and grow an operation of this size. I am not begging or soliciting anyone for anything they don't want to give, simply putting it out there that next time you are fortunate to hit a nice score remember how all donations matter. Thank you and on with the pictures !!
The new edition many of you have been waiting to see is Touch Gold. I did not know the story behind this horse as the epic Belmont Stakes showdown in 1997 was the first year my dad took me to Colonial Downs at 15 years old so even though it wasn't because of the triple crown races, 1997 was a special year for me also being introduced to this great sport.
Here is Touch Gold
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2064.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2064.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2065.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2065.jpg.html)
Next up how could I not put the horse he that Touch Gold played spoiler to. It's funny they were separated by a half length at the wire, now they are separated by half an acre :lol: In all seriousness what an animal he is, built like a machine, poses for his own pictures, and he exudes class.
Here is Silver Charm
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2090.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2090.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2157.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2157.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2095.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2095.jpg.html)
Next up we decided we would walk to the back of the property to what is called the back 40. On the way we ran into one of my old pals.
Here is Commentator
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2143.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2143.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2145.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2145.jpg.html)
And how about Alphabet Soup
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2076.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2076.jpg.html)
Once we got to the back 40 we were amazed at how beautiful the setting was, and how laid back the horses were... Until they saw carrots !!
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2152_1.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2152_1.jpg.html)http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2151.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2151.jpg.html)
Our New " Old Friends "
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2154.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2154.jpg.html)
On the long walk back I made sure to grab a photo of War Emblem. He is still in quarantine therefore I couldn't get any closer, however I will get better pictures in April.
Here is War Emblem
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2087.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2087.jpg.html)
Just look how happy these horses are to be living the life they are able to live thanks to Michael.
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2097.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2097.jpg.html)
Of course this thread wouldn't be complete if I didn't post our old warrior Judge's Case. He is living the retired life he deserves after racing 104 times :eek: At the time that we got Judge accepted into Old Friends we thought we were doing him a favor, but I can tell you that we have found a lifetime friend in Michael, and I can promise you that as long as I am breathing I will be passionate about helping Michael in any way I am able.
Here comes the Judge !!!!
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2130.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2130.jpg.html)
Notice the claimed tag, he would mark the oldest claim in history :lol:
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_1829.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_1829.jpg.html)
I hope this thread has brought you the joy that I intended it to do. If you would like any pictures taken specifically for you just pm me or post here and I will try to meet any needs in April.
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2106.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2106.jpg.html)
Thanks for checking out this thread and thank you for looking into Old Friends Farm. From the 3 of us horse players to all of you
Jason, Dan, and Michael
I have wanted to post this for a few weeks and long story short I took a new job after being with my old company for 9 years... So I finally have the time type this out like I want to and give Old Friends the recognition that they deserve.
As some of you know I have been going to Old Friends Farm and Keeneland opening weekend every 6 months for 7 years now. Well our friend Michael wanted us to come back before April and we figured what better time than New Years Weekend. So we made the almost 8 hour haul from Virginia New Years Eve which was nice without much traffic.
Before I start with the pictures I wanted to first take this time ( while having PA permission ) to just make a statement.
It is REMARKABLE the amount of time, effort, money, and heart and soul that has been put into this farm to give former/retired race horses a chance to live like kings for the rest of their life. I could have never imagined what Michael Blownen's dream and vision would have turn in to if I hadn't seen it unfold over the last 7 years myself.
I encourage you to put this on your bucket list of places you must visit, and for those of you who aren't able to do that, please think of the money it takes to run and grow an operation of this size. I am not begging or soliciting anyone for anything they don't want to give, simply putting it out there that next time you are fortunate to hit a nice score remember how all donations matter. Thank you and on with the pictures !!
The new edition many of you have been waiting to see is Touch Gold. I did not know the story behind this horse as the epic Belmont Stakes showdown in 1997 was the first year my dad took me to Colonial Downs at 15 years old so even though it wasn't because of the triple crown races, 1997 was a special year for me also being introduced to this great sport.
Here is Touch Gold
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2064.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2064.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2065.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2065.jpg.html)
Next up how could I not put the horse he that Touch Gold played spoiler to. It's funny they were separated by a half length at the wire, now they are separated by half an acre :lol: In all seriousness what an animal he is, built like a machine, poses for his own pictures, and he exudes class.
Here is Silver Charm
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2090.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2090.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2157.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2157.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2095.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2095.jpg.html)
Next up we decided we would walk to the back of the property to what is called the back 40. On the way we ran into one of my old pals.
Here is Commentator
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2143.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2143.jpg.html)
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2145.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2145.jpg.html)
And how about Alphabet Soup
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2076.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2076.jpg.html)
Once we got to the back 40 we were amazed at how beautiful the setting was, and how laid back the horses were... Until they saw carrots !!
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2152_1.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2152_1.jpg.html)http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2151.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2151.jpg.html)
Our New " Old Friends "
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2154.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2154.jpg.html)
On the long walk back I made sure to grab a photo of War Emblem. He is still in quarantine therefore I couldn't get any closer, however I will get better pictures in April.
Here is War Emblem
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2087.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2087.jpg.html)
Just look how happy these horses are to be living the life they are able to live thanks to Michael.
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2097.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2097.jpg.html)
Of course this thread wouldn't be complete if I didn't post our old warrior Judge's Case. He is living the retired life he deserves after racing 104 times :eek: At the time that we got Judge accepted into Old Friends we thought we were doing him a favor, but I can tell you that we have found a lifetime friend in Michael, and I can promise you that as long as I am breathing I will be passionate about helping Michael in any way I am able.
Here comes the Judge !!!!
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2130.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2130.jpg.html)
Notice the claimed tag, he would mark the oldest claim in history :lol:
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_1829.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_1829.jpg.html)
I hope this thread has brought you the joy that I intended it to do. If you would like any pictures taken specifically for you just pm me or post here and I will try to meet any needs in April.
http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac333/si2see/IMG_2106.jpg (http://s913.photobucket.com/user/si2see/media/IMG_2106.jpg.html)
Thanks for checking out this thread and thank you for looking into Old Friends Farm. From the 3 of us horse players to all of you
Jason, Dan, and Michael