let us do the work

Effortlessly plan your next adventure with AI
Trips & RoutesSmall Towns

Visit Retired Kentucky Race Horses At This Thoroughbred Sanctuary In Georgetown, Kentucky

Old Friends Equine farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, offers a peaceful retirement for former racing thoroughbreds.

Published May 9, 2022

Written by 

Sarah McCosham

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?

A brown horse grazes in a green field, with a donkey nearby and a barn in the background.
Old Friends/Facebook

If he's lucky, he retires to the bucolic rolling countryside of Georgetown, Kentucky, to Old Friends Equine farm.

A brown horse stands by a wooden fence, with trees and a distant house in the background on a clear day.
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.

A scenic view of a green pasture with a barn, trees, and a wooden fence under a blue sky with clouds.
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.

Two horses stand near a haystack in a field, with trees in the background and a fence visible.
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!

A gray horse with a blonde mane peeks out from its stable, with a sign reading "SILVER CHARM" below.
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.

A horse wearing a blanket stands beside a round hay bale in a snowy field. Trees and a fence are in the background.
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.

Two brown horses with bridles, standing side by side at a wooden fence, against a backdrop of trees and blue sky.
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.

A brown horse walking through a snowy field, approaching a wooden fence with houses in the background.
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.

A white horse stands by a wooden fence in a lush green field under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Timothy Cox/Google Local

Did you know about this thoroughbred sanctuary in Kentucky? What a wonderful place for our state's extraordinary equines!

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?

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trips & Routes

The Instagrammable Roadside Attraction Is Worth the Drive From Dallas

Forget Paris; just a short drive from Dallas, Texas, is a whimsical Eiffel Tower worthy of your Instagram. Here’s what makes it worth the trip.

by Melanie Johnson
on Jul 21
Views of a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas, with a large red cowboy hat on top.
Stays
Vacation Rentals

This Historic Brick Brownstone Is One of the Most Successful Airbnbs in Massachusetts

Step inside a historic Victorian brownstone overlooking Union Park in Boston’s sought-after South End. With three floors of living space and some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and landmarks within walking distance, this Airbnb offers a memorable way to experience Boston.

by Megan Todaro
on Jul 21
The exterior of a brick building in Boston Massachusetts, where one of the most historic Airbnbs is.
Trips & Routes
Unique Trips

The 11 Most Spectacular Tree Tunnel Drives in America

Some roads exist just to get you somewhere else. These eleven don't, and that's exactly the point.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Cypress tree tunnel at Point Reyes, California, USA
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

The 17 Most Charming Hidden Towns You’ve Never Heard Of Across the U.S.

Every state hides at least one town this good, and locals would rather keep it that way. We found 17 of them, from quiet river towns to desert outposts, so you can get there before everyone else does.

by Marisa Roman
on Jul 21
Dahlonega, Georgia aerial view, one of the most charming hidden towns in the U.S.
Trips & Routes
Travel Preparation & Advice

The Regional Airports Across America With the Most and Least Expensive Airfare (2026 Rankings)

Only In Your State used government data to compare average airfare costs for departing flights at more than 100 of America’s regional airports to find where travelers get the most bang for their buck.

by Josh Koebert
on Jul 21
ATI cargo Boeing 767 aircraft and air traffic control tower, SeaTac Seattle, USA