Old Friends is a non-profit charity that was established to give Thoroughbred champions a place to retire in peace once their racing and breeding careers have ended.
Old Friends was established in 2003 after the news of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand, was slaughtered in a Japanese packing plant. This caused an outrage among racing fans and the horse racing enthusiasts throughout the country.
Michael Blowen, President of Old Friends, has worked hard the past year to create this dream. He has worked diligently, raising funds and campaigning to save these great horses. Through Michael's efforts and the help of others, pastures and barns have been established at Afton Farm in Midway, Kentucky. Phillip and Betty Sue Walters, the owners of Afton Farm, have been very gracious and provided a beautiful home to these horses. The Walters' also raise and train their own racehorses - so watch for future champions from them!
Old Friends currently has two residents; Rich In Dallas, a horse which played Seabiscuit in the movie and was purchased in a claiming race in California. Rich In Dallas was acquired with the help of Rerun and will later be placed in an adoption home. The other resident, who is permanent, is Narrow Escape. Narrow Escape is a daughter of the great racehorse, Excellor.
If you would like to learn more about Old Friends, visit their website by clicking HERE.
This piece was done in collaboration with D'Arry Jone Frank of Prestige Farms. We took the Breyer War Admiral holiday ornaments and made them into a free standing race! The silks were accurately painted to reflect the owners and/or stables for these four great race horses. The horses featured in this race are Ferdinand in the lead, Sea Hero in second, Skip Away in third, and pulling up the rear, Narrow Escape. This piece was auctioned at the Old Friends Open House held on April 17, 2004, at Afton Farm.
This piece was done in collaboration with D'Arry Jone Frank of Prestige Farms, Bobbi Devine of Devine Creations, Gudrun Schmidt of Germany, and Horsing Around of England, and myself. The horse is a traditional scale resin that was sculpted by Gudrun called "Waterloo". The horse was donated by Horsing Around. D'Arry customized the horse to have a fuller tail and a braided mane (Skip Away raced with braids). Bobbi then made custom tack which looks just like the equipment "Skippy" used to race in (taken from actual photos), and last but not least, I painted this big boy. He was mounted on a base with a brass nameplate. This piece was auctioned at the Old Friends Open House held on April 17, 2004, at Afton Farm.
Smarty Jones
Auctioned at August 2005 Charity Event
This is Smarty Jones! Smarty was created with the combined efforts of those who care about the cause that Old Friends is accomplishing. First, Ed Bogucki donated his famous "Rerun" resin. This is a beautifully sculpted resin horse, approximately 10" tall. The horse was then sent off to Bobbi Devine of Devine Creations for his beautifully hand crafted and custom fit racing tack - with not a detail missed. The saddle is "stitched", overgirth fully accurate, and there are even rubber "grips" on the reins! Bobbi's miniature work is just stunning and her racing tack is a fine example this. The horse was then painted by me to look like Smarty!
The horse sits proudly upon a polished black piano board base trimmed in brass, and a brass name plate that states "Smarty Jones Kentucky Derby 2004". 100% of the proceeds of this item will go to Old Friends.
This horse will be sold at the live benefit auction to be held in the future. More details will be posted of location, or go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.com.
Fraise
This is Fraise - one of the newest residents of Old Friends. Fraise was a champion in his day, winning the 1992 Breeders Cup Turf in track record time of 2:20 - which is a track record that still stands today! This piece was recreated with the support of many - including Horsing Around, Bobbi Devine, and myself. The horse is a resin donated by Horsing Around which I painted to represent Fraise in his days of racing. Bobbie Devine then created this awesome tack - right down to his purple Turf saddle cloth to the blinders of the Madeline Paulsen stable.
The horse sits proudly upon a polished black piano board base trimmed in brass, and a brass name plate that states his name, sire/dam, and his Breeders Cup Turf time.
Creator & Ruhlmann
Auctioned at May 2006 Charity Event
Creator and Ruhlmann are two of the favored residents at Old Friends. Both, champions, each with their own distinct personalities. Creator, a fiesty stallion, even in his old age, with all kinds of charisma; Ruhlmann, a champion returned to his birthplace to live out the rest of his days in peace.
To commemmorate these two champions, I have created a mantel piece of the two of them - running free with no burdens on their backs. All the details are there - right down to tuffs of grass, rocks, and flowers in the field. Each horse wears a typical triple stitched stallion halter, bearing their name on the left side and Old Friends on the right (just as their real halters do). The halters were created by Corrine Ensor of Shoebox Saddlery and are perfect, right down to the working buckles! The horses are painted to represent each of these horses and finished in a high gloss sheen by myself. They are permanently attached to their base and their halters are permanent as well. The base adorns a brass plate with their names. This is a true keepsake for anyone who appreciates the efforts of Old Friends or who are fans of these two great horses. (sorry for the lint showing up in the photos - photographing glossy figurines is difficult)
This piece will be sold at the May 7, 2006, benefit auction to be held at Old Friends at Hurstland Farm. More details will be posted of location, or go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.com.
