Archives by date

You are browsing the site archives by date.

Kentucky photographer and sports writer Rick Capone pens a book about Old Friends. Photo by Rick Capone

Rick Capone pens book on Old Friends

Kentucky photographer Rick Capone, who has captured hundreds of gorgeous images of ex-racehorses frolicking at Old Friends Equine, has now found the words to describe the amazing undertaking to create the world-renowned home for retired Thoroughbreds. In his new book, History of Old Friends, A Home for Retired Thoroughbreds, Capone tells the story of Michael Blowen’s farm. In addition, he includes biographies of the farm’s famous residents, including Sunshine and Creator, the first two residents to be flown from Japan to the sprawling retirement facility. In this week’s Clubhouse Q&A, Capone discusses his background, the book, and his inspiration for […]

King recovers at the West Coast Equine Hospital. Photo by Auction Horse Rescue

Massacre victim’s racehorse rescued in Calif

A racehorse once belonging to a California family who was massacred in 2008, was plucked this month from a California auction house, his life saved through the glorious teamwork of a rescue organization, social media and his original breeder. Return of the King, a 2002 Kentucky bred gelding who earned $175,000 in 33 starts, stood gingerly on a badly swollen hind leg at Mike’s Auction House June 14 when he was spotted by Megan Gaynes, a three-year veteran of Auction Horses Rescue. “He was in significant pain, standing on a hugely swollen leg,” Gaynes says. “My friend who accompanied me […]

Cost of Freedom, left, now races the fence line with Judge Gallivan.

Cost of Freedom enjoys retired life, head rubs

Six months after Santa Anita head clocker John Malone took pity on a once-great racehorse, who earned a million dollars in his prime before sinking to a 10th place finish in his last race, the humble horseman and the great steed Cost of Freedom live quietly on a California farm where the din of the racetrack is far away. Now, instead of battling it out for position on the dirt, the dark bay beauty is angling for turf rights on his side of the pasture fence. On the other side is  ex-racehorse Judge Gallivan. “I can’t figure out who the […]