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When I came across this article in the Smithsonian magazine of May 2020 I had to read it three times. Why? Very simply: I know absolutely nothing about horses – racing or otherwise. But, I did come away with two thoughts: (1) Most racehorses have colorful, even dramatic names, and (2) Like felines (yes, we had two adorable ones) they have clear-cut, definite personalities.

So, before I get into this blog about where racehorses go to retire in Kentucky, I went to the web and researched, “How does one name a racehorse?” And good heavens! There were at least 15 if not more hard-and-fast rules that I’m cutting down to four: (1) No initials or numbers, (2) Can’t use “horse” terms, e.g., filly, stud, stallion, (3) Nothing vulgar or in poor taste, and finally, (4) the name has to be 18 characters – spaces and punctuation count. As an advertising copywriter I’ve been coming up with names for products all my life AND it ain’t easy – and neither is this!

THE “OLD FRIENDS EQUINE” WAS FOUNDED

An enterprising couple, Michael Blowen and his wife Diane began their blissful retirement home for retired racehorses – located in Scott County, just northeast of Lexington in 2003. Last year it drew 21,000 visitors. Their first adopted horse was named NARROW ESCAPE and in short order they adopted 15 more. (I’m putting all the horses’ names in caps at first mention because I think they’re great.)

The ultimate goal of Old Friends is to distance the animals from the economic pressures that sometimes put them in harm’s way (meaning, the “slaughter house” – this is the only time I’m using this term – it makes my skin crawl).  

THERE IS NO TYPICAL RETIREE AT OLD FRIENDS

The oldest is DINARD, 32, winner of the 1991 Santa Anita Derby, while the youngest is BRILLIANT DECISION, 5, who competed only nine times before it became clear he was not a racehorse.

The horse SILVER CHARM is usually the first stop for visitors. Other headline names include the unassuming GAME ON DUDE, three-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and ALPHABET SOUP, a ghostly white stallion who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as TOUCH GOLD, the accomplished killjoy who deprived Silver Charm of Triple Crown glory in the 1997 Belmont Stakes.

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT THE EQUINE PERSONALITIES

Frankly, I find this hilarious or as Blowen says to a visitor, “Silver Charm requires your adoration. If you want him to come over, you’ve got to shout. ‘Silver Charm, you’re the greatest!’ Even then, he takes his time.”

“Well, c’mon guys,” Charm snorts, “I won the 1997 Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and earned a place in racing’s Hall of Fame. What have you done lately?”

He is one of almost 130 horses living in comfortable retirement at Old Friends or 236 grassy, gently rolling acres only a few miles north of Interstate 64 in Central Kentucky.

Let’s end on this fun note. Blowen notes that, “Silver Charm and Touch Gold are both 26 and they still run around like kids. Every so often Silver Charm looks at Touch Gold as if to say, “How about we go again? After all, age is just a number.”

Addendum: Age 26 for a horse is 75 for us humans.

Since we’ve been talking about the Kentucky Derby CLICK HERE to read our write-up.

Then CLICK HERE to see our take on the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick