Old Friends to hold 'Hall of Fame Day'

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, has

partnered with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Lexington's

Nick Ryan's Saloon to proudly present "Hall of Fame Day at Old Friends" on

October 17.

"We're flattered that the National Racing Hall of Fame has honored Old

Friends by designated us as the official cemetery for Hall of Famer's whose

final resting spots may be in jeopardy," Old Friends founder Michael Blowen

said. "We're grateful to Nick Ryan's for their participation and support and we

welcome everyone to the event, especially members of the Hall of Fame."

The event will kick off at 3 p.m. (EDT) at Old Friends, 1841 Paynes Depot

Road in Georgetown, with an observance for the three great Thoroughbred

champions who have been laid to rest at the farm's official Hall of Fame

Cemetery -- Skip Away, Noor and Precisionist.

The afternoon will be highlighted by tours of the farm and visits with many

of the stars of the turf now retired at Old Friends.

"The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is proud to partner with such

a great organization as Old Friends for a Hall of Fame Day in Kentucky," said

Brien Bouyea, the communications officer for the Museum. "We will be honoring a

Hall of Fame legend in Skip Away, as well as two other Hall of Fame greats, Noor

and Precisionist, both of whom have found a perfect final resting place in the

heart of the bluegrass."

Bouyea added that the Hall of Fame has also authorized the creation of

additional Hall of Fame plaques for the markers of these Thoroughbred legends so

that fans will be able to learn the incredible stories of these remarkable

athletes.

Hall of Fame Day will continue with an evening soiree at 6 p.m. at Nick

Ryan's Saloon, located at 157 West Jefferson Street in Lexington. Tickets to

Nick Ryan's are $50 and include a BBQ buffet, drinks, live music and many

special guests. Reservations may be made by calling 502-863-1775.

"We're thrilled to be working with Old Friends on this event," said Don

Wathen, owner of Nick Ryan's Saloon. "My wife Barbara and I have a great love

for horses, and we want to use our venue to give back to that community. We plan

on having at least three charity fundraiser events here every year."