UPDATE: September 2 at 5:30 p.m.
A cherished horse at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center, whose story helped draw attention to the importance of aftercare for retired thoroughbreds, has died.
Little Silver Charm, who served as the official spokesperson for Scott County Tourism, passed away Friday after years of helping retired racehorses adjust to life off the track.
"He was my best friend. I mean, just the greatest," said Michael Blowen, founder of Old Friends. "It's just extraordinary. It's, as I say, it's inexplicable that he would end up being here with all these other great horses."
Blowen originally bought Little Silver Charm in New Hampshire, saving the horse from slaughter.
"Little Silver Charm was so special, and he was so cute," Blowen said.
Beyond his charisma, Little Silver Charm had a crucial role at Old Friends. He was tasked with helping newly retired racehorses transition to their new lives.
"He was in charge of our retraining program," Blowen explained. "He'd kind of explain to them what it's like here, and they didn't have to work anymore, and they could just eat. And the bald guy would come around and give him carrots."
Little Silver Charm became a model for how horses should be treated at the end of their racing careers.
"Aftercare has become a big, big issue, and it's getting a lot more support from horse racing than it did 20 years ago. And I think he was part of that, you know, drawing attention these horses and that they have value, even though they're racing careers and breeding careers over," Blowen said.
The horse became so popular among the 20,000 annual visitors to Old Friends that he was named the official spokesperson for Scott County tourism.
Old Friends buried Little Silver Charm in front of their property, next to some of his best friends and the most well-known horses the equine center has housed.
"Little Silver Charm will be irreplaceable because he played a position on this team that was all his own and very, very unique," Blowen concluded. "He enriched my life in a way that couldn't nothing else could possibly do. I just adored him, and we got along great."
Original Story:
Old Friends retirement farm announced the death of its mascot, Little Silver Charm, who died from age-related health issues at an estimated 38 to 40 years old.
The horse, originally rescued from a truck bound for "bad place," became the face of Old Friends farm and served as the official "spokes-horse" for Georgetown/Scott County Tourism.
Little Silver Charm helped teach five Kentucky Derby winners how to adjust to retirement life at the farm, according to Old Friends.
Farm officials described him as "the self-described busiest horse on the farm" who handled all his roles "with style, wit, and, yes, charm."
Old Friends founder Michael Blowen plans to share additional thoughts about Little Silver Charm in the coming days.
The farm thanked supporters who visited Little Silver Charm over the years, bringing him carrots, taking photos and spending time with the horse they called "irreplaceable."
