Old Friends
4.8(655)google
4.8(57)yelp
Horse RacingWildlifeFamily
Overview
Old Friends is a heartwarming 236-acre thoroughbred retirement farm dedicated to providing a dignified, peaceful sanctuary for champion racehorses after their careers. Founded by Michael Blowen, the farm allows racing enthusiasts to get up close and personal with legendary turf stars and Kentucky Derby veterans. Guided tours are filled with emotional narratives, allowing visitors to pet the thoroughbreds, feed them carrots, and hear about their racetrack glories. It offers a beautiful, respectful perspective on sports animal welfare and the enduring bond between humans and horses.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM 4:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeMay through September offers spectacular weather for horse lovers to interact with the legends. As a world-renowned non-profit retirement sanctuary for champion thoroughbred racehorses, booking their 10:00 AM morning tour is optimal; the horses are energized for their morning carrot treats under a cool sun, providing unmatched close-up photography slots.
Getting ThereHidden within the beautiful countryside at 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown. Driven travel via road trip is the exclusive transport option. Take I-75 North out of Lexington to Exit 125 for US-460 West toward Georgetown, then transition south onto State Road 62 South for 3 miles; the white horse farm gates sit visibly on your right, offering free surface lots.
Travel Tips
- This facility is a retirement farm for aging champion stallions; feeding outside items like carrots or leaves without explicit keeper approval is strictly barred.
- The property consists of unpaved turf and dirt paths that become deep mud after rain; wearing rugged, water-resistant trail shoes that can get dirty is mandatory.
- Retired thoroughbreds are highly sensitive to sharp noises; drones, remote control toys, and umbrellas are fully banned, making soft rain ponchos mandatory.
Reviews
Positive
- A deeply moving retirement haven for champion thoroughbred racehorses; seeing these legendary racing heroes living out their days is emotionally spectacular.
- The passionate volunteer guides know every horse's personality and racing pedigree by heart, delivering a tour filled with genuine love and respect.
- Operating as a non-profit charity sanctuary, the atmosphere is peaceful, heartwarming, and completely free of commercial commercialism.
- Buying a bucket of fresh carrots to personally feed and pet the gentle stallions under safe staff guidance creates a profound, high-value memory.
Heads up
- To protect the aging horses, visitors must adhere to strict safety discipline (no yelling, strict group movement), which reduces independent freedom.
- Tours require over an hour of outdoor walking across open bluegrass paddocks; summer heat waves or rainy mud can make the hike physically taxing.
- They enforce strict crowd control and mandatory pre-booking; showing up without an online ticket reservation guarantees being turned away.
- Restroom facilities are sparse, limited to a basic bathroom in the main welcome cabin, and there are no vending machines on the farm grounds.