It’s usually somewhere around now in
Then again, say it was just the sound stud. Some of thoroughbred racing’s
these love affairs that delusion gives
of his cussedness hopping into the fastest, famous and above all luckiest.
way to reason. The sharp outlines of
director’s chair. Go ahead, tell him The staff at Old Friends (volunteer
what is overwrite the glowing expan-
he’s: “ambassadors” mostly) and Michael
siveness of what could be. When he
• nuts himself conduct tours of the farm 7
began making inquiries into where
• unqualified days a week. They host visiting digni-
these horses went after they were
• underfunded taries, horse crazy girls, some of the
played out on the track the answers
• ignorant steeds’ former jockeys and the rest
started to weigh on him. When he
• doomed of us.
learned that 1986 Kentucky Derby
and anything else that bubbles up
winner and 1987 Breeder’s Cup
from the depth of the nay saying pes- The place, the horses and their peo-
Classic winner Ferdinand ended
simist. Because to a guy like Michael ple garner national and international
up butchered in a slaughter house
Blowen negativity apparently has a attention. Best of all owners who
for meat, like so many other spent
positive effect. once shunned the effort are stepping
equine athletes – something inside
up to help.
him snapped.
He and Diane started Old Friends How come? Because Michael Blo-
Call it his sanity.
in 2003 on a dream. Eight years and wen is starkers. Insane. He’s a retiree
many life-in-the-balance, future jeop- who’s off his rocker. I told you. He’s
ardizing, white knuckle financing mo- an optimist.
ments later here they are:
Michael + Diane also run a B+B right
On the gently rolling acres, where there on the farm.
wooden fences partition the space Sleep with champions!
into paddocks that each hold exactly Old Friends, Inc.
one full functioning gorgeous old 1841 Paynes Depot Rd.
and even not so old thoroughbred Georgetown, KY 40324
Phone: 502-863-1775
www.oldfriendsequine.org
youtube video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q
F8BU9kXYDg&feature=player_em-
bedded
by,
Marti McGinnis
www.equineconnection.org- the website for global equine stewardship - Equine•Connections
27
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