Horse Racing's Living History Museum
The Best Thoroughbred Retirement Facility Around!
Old Friends provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. By promoting these once celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of equine aftercare. In February 2024, our Founder, Michael Blowen, stepped down and our longtime friend, John Nicholson, assumed the reins and President and CEO.
History
In 2003, Old Friends thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, KY, put a new face on the concept of Thoroughbred aftercare. Former Boston Globe film critic, Michael Blowen, started our organization with a leased paddock and one horse. Over the years we have expanded to a 236-acre farm, three satellite locations and a herd of over 255 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions.
President John Nicholson
A message from President John Nicholson
I am so pleased to join the Old Friends team. What Michael’s vision and tenacity have accomplished is beyond remarkable. Old Friends is making an important and vital contribution, not only to the racing industry, but most importantly to the lives of the horses who have given so much to us. Together we can help assure that Old Friends will remain a strong and viable force for all the good things it does for decades and generations to come. If our hearts and minds stay focused on the wellbeing of the horse, then there will always be a growing and thriving Old Friends.
John & Music
John is a big fan of all types of music and admittedly wasn't into Hip-Hop music to say at first. He has since become a fan of what we are doing and is fully endorsing our mission of bringing a New Culture into the Sport we love. He is grateful for the donations and proceeds that will be generated from the Album sales going directly to Old Friends. Let's do something special together by bringing new people into Horse Racing and help our retired athletes at the same time. Hip-Hop and Horse Racing coming together. What a concept!
Representative Director Harada Kiichi
A life with horses A story that connects hearts
As an equestrian athlete, I have been traveling back and forth between Japan and overseas for a long time, and I feel that the high level of ability of the thoroughbreds in Japan and the skill and enthusiasm of the people who support the horses are second to none. After several years in business, thanks to the support and advice of many people, the activities of our organization are gradually becoming better known. We do not intend to stay in the past or the present, but to work towards the future, to support horses and all those who wish to work with or be involved with horses, to draw out their qualities and to expand their world. Horses have unlimited potential. Even now, after spending so much time with horses, I am still moved by their brilliance every moment of the day. Please join us in supporting them.
Vision and Mission
Building the future with horses, with people, opening up the world’ Old Friends in the USA has provided many retired Thoroughbreds with a peaceful place to spend the rest of their lives and fostered compassion for animals in the people who visit. We at Old Friends Japan share the same aspirations, and while celebrating the achievements of the racehorses that have given us excitement and inspiration, we are considering what is needed to utilize their charm and ability to live with people in society and are working to create a system to realize this. Our aim is to realize a world where horses, people and society are connected and continue to grow over the long term while supporting and protecting each other.
At Old Friends Japan
We, Old Friends Japan, are pioneers who build on the past achievements of retired racehorses to pave the way for the future. We find new value in our community to ensure that they do not lose their value after they have retired from active racing.
Retired racehorses play an important role in the education of future generations of leaders and riders. Through our initiatives, we also provide visitors with the opportunity to meet the horses and experience their exploits up close. Together we are creating new communities where horses and people, and people and people, are connected, building sustainable values that will last into the future.
Michael Blowen
A message from Founder Michael Blowen
The Person who started it all. Twenty years ago, Old Friends started out with Diane and I and a golf cart and feeding the horses; a little mom and pop operation on the corner. Today it’s a multi-million-dollar enterprise. To have somebody of John’s experience, his sensitivity for the horses, his love of the horses, along with his administrative abilities, he was the obvious choice. Old Friends is responsible for hundreds of horses already here and many more into the future. I’m very confident that, a few years from now when we look in the rear view mirror, we’ll see an Old Friends with more horses, more fans and a stronger foundation.
Michael & Music
Like John, Michael is also a big fan of all types of music, and he too admittedly wasn't into Hip-Hop music to say at first. He loves what we are doing and is 100% behind the idea. We are in a unique situation to help bridge the gap and help so many people and horses in this venture. We are excited to help promote Hip-Hip and Horse Racing coming together.