Cross-posted from The Saratogian
By SAM HOLLINGSWORTH
GREENFIELD CENTER, NY, 6th Dec. 2009 — A local family and friends are helping give some retired race horses the post-racing life they deserve.
Mark and Joann Pepper, who own and operate Cabin Creek Farm just outside of Saratoga Springs, have hooked up with Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., and created the first Old Friends satellite facility just outside one of the most beautiful, historical cities largely associated with the sport of horse racing.
“I wanted to emulate what Michael Blowen was doing in Kentucky, but then we talked and it just worked out where we could do it together,” Joann Pepper said. “Hopefully it will expand all over the country.”
The 40-acre facility offers 12 stalls, two round pens, five finished paddocks and plenty more space for growth and development that the Peppers already plan on using to expand the facility, and horses have already began arriving on the farm.
“I wish we could take 100 horses if there was the room to,” Joann Pepper said. “But we should be able to have 12 to 15, especially when we put up some more fencing.”
Cabin Creek was built from scratch by the Peppers 15 years ago and, after some discussion and plenty of planning with Blowen, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division was created.
Named after the late Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer, The Bobby Frankel Division of Old Friends at Cabin Creek is just one of what Blowen and the Peppers hope and believe will become an international safe place for the retired horses that once showcased their speed and thrilled spectators on the race track for years. — Full story >>
Tuesday's Horse 