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LAVA MAN IS COMING TO OLD FRIENDS!!
Press Release 9/4/08
Stakes Winning Champion Lava Man to Retire at Old Friends
GEORGETOWN, KY—SEPTEMBER 4, 2008—Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility
based in Georgetown, KY, is proud to announce that California racing legend Lava Man will be permanently pensioned at its 92-acres Dream Chase Farm. Owners the Kenly Family’s STD Racing Stables (Steve, Tracy, and Dave Kenly) and Jason Woods agreed earlier this week to send Lava Man to Old Friends, and arrangements have been made
for him to arrive in the Bluegrass on Sept. 16.
Campaigned by trainer Doug O’Neill, the 7-year-old gelding was retired from the track in July due to unfavorable front-foot x-rays. He ended his career with over $5.2 million in earnings and seven Grade 1 wins, a number unparalleled among California breds.
“From the beginning, Steve and everyone associated with this amazing athlete have done what's best for Lava Man,” said Old Friends founder and president, Michael Blowen. “I can't tell you how thrilled we are that they’ve entrusted the care of this unbelievably talented champion to us.”
“Michael called us about retiring Lava Man, and he was just so energetic and excited,” said Steve Kenly of STD. “I didn’t think there was that much interest in the horse outside of the West Coast, and Michael just said, ‘Are you kidding me?’”
We’re not blue-blood, we’re not the uber-wealthy,” Kenly continued. “Lava Man is a small guy’s horse and Michael is a small-guy’s farm, so we thought it was a perfect fit.”
Sporting a name that foreshadowed his volcanic rise, Lava Man has been called the “greatest of all claimers,” having erupted from the lowest of racing ranks into a stakes-winning champion in little more than a year. Throughout his career he captured 17 of 46 starts. His striking string of victories includes three consecutive wins in the Hollywood Gold Cup (equaling the presumed unmatchable record set by Native Diver in the 1960s), the 2006 Pacific Classic, the 2006 and 2007 Santa Anita Handicap, and both the Sunshine Millions Classic and the Sunshine Millions Turf.
Lava Man (Slew City Slew-L’il Ms Leonard, by Nostalgia’s Star) was bred by Lonnie Arterburn, Eve Kuhlmann, and Kim Kuhlmann at Popular Meadows Ranch near Sanger, California. A dark bay foal, he was born in March and named after the annual Lava Man Triathlon that’s held that same month in Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Originally trained by former jockey Arterburn, the horse began his career as a 2-year-old in a $12,500 maiden claiming race at the San Joaquin County Fair in 2003. A switch from dirt to grass initiated a move up the ranks, and the 3-year-old Lava Man was eventually claimed for $50,000 by O’Neill at the urging of his owners. Launching his stakes career with a win in the 2005 California Stakes, the horse soon went from claiming to Reigning King of the California circuit, inspiring the turf press to dub him a modern day Seabiscuit.
His name is now intrinsically linked with numerous racing “firsts.” He is the first horse to win a signature race at each of Southern California’s major racetracks in one year. He is the first horse to equal Native Diver’s record of winning three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cup races. He is the first horse in a generation to win a Grade 1 race on dirt and turf in the same year, and he is the only horse ever to win a North American Grade 1 race on dirt, turf, and synthetic surface.
On Sept. 16, Lava Man will be flown from California to Lexington courtesy of H.E. Tex Sutton Forwarding Co., where he will be met by Sallee Vans and driven the short distance to the Georgetown farm. There he will join the near 30 other retirees, including Eclipse winner Sunshine Forever, champion sprinter Ogygian, eight-time stakes winner Ruhlmann, and fellow California hero Special Ring. An event celebrating his arrival is currently scheduled for Oct. 7 at Old Friends.
“The attention and notice a superstar like Lava Man brings to our organization is multi-fold,” noted Blowen. “It’s the champions that attract tourism and donations; in turn that helps us care for the many geldings and mares we have also retired that are not bold type. We’re really looking forward to meeting Lava Man’s many admirers here at the farm.”
PROJECT - 2010 OLD FRIENDS CALENDAR
We’re also planning a calendar for 2010. Great equine photographers such as Katey Barrett, Barbara Livingston and Robbi Meisel are all contributing photos and Katey is spearheading the publication. We aim to make it the best of all racing calendars with excellent detail and printed on heavy stock. It costs about $100 per day to feed our retirees. So we’re offering every day of the year for sponsorships. For a $100 donation you can have a name printed on the calendar for the day of your choice, on a first-come, first-served basis. You also get a free calendar. Well, I guess it's really not free if you’re forking over $100. Honor a loved one, a pet, your favorite horse, or a memorial date. If you want to help, just send the tax deductible donation to Old Friends, 1841 Payne’s Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324 and write Calendar on the check - include the wording you'd like for the calendar date. You can also donate with paypal or call the office with credit card info at 502-863-1775. click here for calendar form
PROJECT- OLD FRIENDS ARTIST SIGNATURE SERIES OF CHRISMAN MILL WINES
2007 - Our artist signature label wine project with Chrisman Mill Winery kicked off with a flying start that none of us could have imagined! 1000 bottles of their Kentucky Chambourcin with the first Old Friends label. Our very own little Silver Charm - Michael's rescued miniature horse is featured on the label. Actor Jack Nicholson sketched Silver Charm for Michael a few years back & kindly agreed to let us use it. Blended into his sketch is a photo of Silver Charm himself. (http://www.chrismanmill.com/) at 859-881-5007. Read more about the now ongoing wine project here.
Archive area:
EVENT: Friday, April 18th 5:00-8:00pm at Whole Foods Market 4944 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville 502-899-5545 "Five After Five" FRIDAY Benefit for Old Friends Retired Thoroughbreds
Enjoy the flavors of our Derby menu paired with your favorite local beers! Your $5 donation will help Old Friends continue to provide dignified retirements for our thoroughbreds. Five Kentucky beer samples with Derby meal pairings are included with admission - and you get to keep the mug! Check out Whole Foods here.
EVENT: OLD FRIENDS DAY AT LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FIELD
SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH AT 1:15 P.M. TICKETS only $5.00 EACH
Watch the Louisville Bats play the Pawtucket Redsox and help Old Friends!
Old Friends swings for the fences on April 13th when the Louisville bats take on the Pawtucket Red Sox at 1:15 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field to benefit their Thoroughbred counterparts. Tickets are only $5.00 but must be reserved through Old Friends for great seats at this bargain price. Call Old Friends, a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit at (502) 863-1775.
Aside from a great chance to see tomorrow’s superstars today the proceeds will benefit the 29 plus Thoroughbreds at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Plans are for the great jockey, Randy Romero (health permitting), who rode Personal Ensign to her undefeated career, to throw out the first pitch. There will also be a silent auction, at the Old Friends booth, of baseballs dedicated to this year’s AAA All-Star game signed by Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and Triple Crown winner, Jean Cruguet (Seattle Slew). Louisville Bats jerseys and balls signed by selected players will also be auctioned off. It’s sure to be a great afternoon at the ball park made even greater by helping our four-footed Champions
EVENT - Old Friends Day at Santa Anita Race Track. 1/20/08
Very limited seating, but its gonna be a fabulous day! We have some great silent auction items and it'll be a lot of fun. The day includes seeing some of our Thoroughbred's great races, a buffet lunch, valet parking, programs and admissions. We are not charging for the event but we'll gladly accept donations for our program. Call Old Friends 502-863-1775 or email contact@oldfriendsequine.org
EVENT -July 8, 2006 10:00-1:00 OLD FRIENDS OPEN HOUSE!! Come see our new home!
EVENT 4/15/06 - Visit with Old Friends at Keeneland!
Keeneland racetrack has graciously invited Old Friends to participate in the popular “Breakfast at the Works” program on Bluegrass Stakes Day, April 15th. The program begins at 8:45 a.m. & will feature one of our wonderful retirees, Seabiscuit movie star, POPCORN DEELITES. Come out to the track for a morning of food, fun & horses!
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