Horse lover lives among his Old Friends

Scott County farm is home to former racing greats

By TED SLOAN, Kentucky Agricultural News

Michael Blowen met a few stars in his days as a movie critic for the Boston Globe. When he mentions Jack, he’s talking about Nicholson.

But it’s the four-legged stars that strike his fancy. Blowen is president of Old Friends, a thoroughbred retirement facility in Scott County that specializes in stallions. He has acquired many of the greats from the late 1980s and early 1990s to allow them to spend their golden years on the farm’s rolling green pastures.

“I never got starstruck covering the movies,” Blowen said. “I get starstruck with these horses. I can’t believe they’re in my yard.”

The farm’s most recent acquisition is the focal point of a special fund-raising event scheduled in July. This past spring Old Friends welcomed Wallenda, who earned more than $1.2 million on the racetrack and won a five-horse photo finish in the 1993 Louisiana Derby. To celebrate, Old Friends will host “A Wallenda-ful Weekend” July 13-15 featuring performances by The Flying Wallendas high-wire act from which the race horse takes his name.

The Flying Wallendas will perform July 14 at 5 p.m. as part of the weekend’s featured event and again July 15 at 3 p.m. The main July 14 homecoming event will include live and silent auctions of thoroughbred and racing memorabilia, equine art and other items; bluegrass music, an appetizer buffet by Wallace Station, and working artist demonstrations.

The festivities will open July 13 with “Bada Bing Night” at The Black Tulip Restaurant in Midway. Frank Santorelli, who played Georgie the bartender on the HBO series “The Sopranos,” will serve drinks. Santorelli will be the featured act at Comedy Night at the Thoroughbred Theatre in Midway following the reception.

Kids Day activities on July 15 will wrap up the weekend.

Kentucky Proud member Ale-8-One will celebrate its 81st anniversary at the Wallenda homecoming. The Winchester business will set up a tent and an event wagon. Ale-8-One soft drinks will be served.

The acquisition of Wallenda is another triumph for a facility that runs on the donations of racing fans and the generosity of people who, like Blowen, are passionate about the sport. Old Friends gets feed, veterinary services, farrier services and dental services for its horses for free or at deep discounts. Ouita Michel, head chef at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, gives Old Friends carrots and apples. Even The Flying Wallendas cut their fee “to the bare, bare, bare bones” for their performances in the July celebration, Blowen said.

Chrisman Mill winery in Jessamine County sells wines labeled with signed sketches by Hollywood greats Nicholson and Albert Brooks. A percentage of the sale of each bottle goes to Old Friends. Kentucky Ale beer is preparing a special label in honor of Old Friends, and northern Kentucky processor Millard Long will sell a private-label Old Friends salsa.

Blowen leads tours at 10 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. daily. Armed with a bucket of carrots and his extensive knowledge of horse racing, he visits each of his charges and tells of their racing records and major stakes victories as well as their personalities and antics on the farm while feeding the horses carrots by the handful.

The tour proceeds to the cemetery, which holds the remains of four thoroughbred greats and a monument to 1990 Horse of the Year Criminal Type. Visitors proceed to the paddocks of “little” Silver Charm (a miniature horse named after the Kentucky Derby winner), Special Ring and Popcorn Deelites. The latter earned his fame after his modest racing career as one of the horses who played Seabiscuit in the movie of the same name.

Blowen left his career as a movie critic and moved to Kentucky to be a part of its horse culture. He started Old Friends as a retirement and rescue facility for thoroughbreds that are “pensioned,” or retired from stud duty. The effort picked up steam after it was reported that 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand probably had died in a slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002. One of Old Friends’ residents is Ferdinand’s greatest son, 1993 Florida Derby winner Bull Inthe Heather.

For more information on Old Friends, go to www.oldfriendsequine.org.