The Bluegrass is Horse Country, and each May, the Kentucky Derby captures the height of horse craze in a race that’s viewed all around the world. But if you’re ever wondered what Kentucky’s finest do after Derby Day, when they’ve run their last race and hung up their garlands, there’s a thoroughbred sanctuary in Kentucky that provides idyllic retirement for these hard-working heroes, and it’s absolutely worth visiting.
When a horse has trained for his final race at Churchill Downs, run his last lap, and stood in the Winner’s Circle one final time, what’s left? What does he do? Where does he go?
Old Friends/Facebook
If he’s lucky, he retires to the bucolic rolling countryside of Georgetown, Kentucky, to Old Friends Equine farm.
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
Situated on 236 acres in the heart of Kentucky Horse Country, Old Friends is a horse farm that’s home to some of the state’s finest former racing stars.
Diane Shaw Sawyer/Google Local
This thoroughbred sanctuary in Kentucky takes in these tired and weary animals, giving them the most wonderful kind of retirement and literal greener pastures.
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
Visitors here have the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with such stars of the turf as Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm, a true living legend!
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine Group tours are offered during the week and on weekends, allowing guests to learn all about these Bluegrass icons.
The animals here are treated like family, with the farm taking in over 240 retired equines since opening in 2003.
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
This thoroughbred sanctuary in Kentucky has a simple mission: to promote these once-celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, ultimately raising awareness of the importance of equine aftercare.
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
Because once the Run for the Roses ends, life continues for these amazing animals, albeit, out of the spotlight. And after spending so many years running and training, these animals deserve pure R&R.
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
Old Friends Equine provides a peaceful place for Kentucky’s finest to happily live out the rest of their lives. And that’s a beautiful, honorable thing worth supporting and celebrating.
Timothy Cox/Google Local
Did you know about this thoroughbred sanctuary in Kentucky? What a wonderful place for our state’s extraordinary equines!
Old Friends/Facebook
Laura Battles/Old Friends Equine
Diane Shaw Sawyer/Google Local
Group tours are offered during the week and on weekends, allowing guests to learn all about these Bluegrass icons.
Timothy Cox/Google Local
Looking for more ways to revel in Kentucky’s rich horse heritage? How about a scenic drive through Horse Country, or an overnight adventure at Kentucky Horse Park?
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Address: Old Friends Farm, 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324, USA
