Michael Blowen has always loved horses but was never much of a horseman. Nevertheless, his passion for the sport brought him to open a retirement sanctuary for racehorses that houses several multi-million-dollar champions.
Blowen’s farm, Old Friends Equine, is a 275-acre farm in Georgetown, Ky. That he opened in 2003. The farm houses more than 240 horses, most of which are donated, and gives retired thoroughbred racehorses a space to spend their days. Champions retired at the farm include Breeders’ Cup winner Alphabet Soup, Kentucky Derby champ Silver Charm, former star sprinter Green Mask and several others to bring the bankroll of the barn’s residents over $241 million.
"I can't imagine a happier person on the planet Earth because I get to wake up every morning and see Silver Charm every day, every day," Blowen said of his favourite horse to CBS News correspondent Mo Rocca.
The 74-year-old was not always so close with horses. “I was afraid of 'em,” he said. “I only liked horses 'cause I liked to drink and gamble!" But, while working as a movie critic for the Boston Globe, Blowen began to work in the stables at a local track for no pay. In his time working there – and after more than two decades at the paper – he developed a strong bond with horses that inspired him to give them a home after their careers on the track finished.
“I would get to the track around quarter of 6:00. I'd get to the Globe by 9:30,” Blowen said. “I'd change my clothes and took a shower. And it was like Clark Kent and Superman.
"By this time [retirement] I'd fallen in love with the horses at the track. Because, you know, they try so hard, even the ones that aren't very successful. And sometimes at the end of their lives they're not treated as well they should be."
Though Blowen encountered naysayers for his endeavor to open the farm, Old Friends today draws about 20,000 people a year. Volunteers aid staff with tours and providing medical care to the horses. One of the vets, Dr. Bryan Waldridge, has worked at the farm for the last eight years and never once charged a bill.
"I just don't think you should," Waldridge said. "You know, I think it's Muhammad Ali that said, 'The price for living on this Earth is doing good deeds.' And, you know, I just owe it to these horses."
Meanwhile Blowen wakes up every day surrounded by his favourite creatures while also being able to continue betting the ponies.
"How many people in the United States of America can wake up every morning and say, 'This is great!'?" Blowen said. "The horses tell ya' to relax, just take it easy, don't worry about it, things will work out. And so far, so good."
The CBS News feature is available in full below: