2012 G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Little Mike (far side) and 2011 Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Game On Dude race in their Old Friends paddock. (Photos by Laura Battles)
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., is proud to announce its schedule for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup week in Lexington, Ky.
“All of us at Old Friends, especially the horses, are excited beyond all measure to welcome everyone who will be coming to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are planning to make it a special week indeed, with extraordinary tours and opportunities to enjoy Old Friends. We are particularly looking forward to seeing everyone at our Old Friends Breeders’ Cup Bash on Sunday afternoon after the weekend’s races. It will be a great way to wrap up what promises to be a week to remember.”
The week at Old Friends will culminate with the Old Friends Breeders’ Cup Bash on Sunday, November 1st from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. But long before the Bash, we’ll have plenty for Old Friends fans to do on the farm.
For those who want to take our normal tours, they will run from October 26 to October 31 with the normal tour schedule resuming on November 2. For two days only, we’ll have four special Lunch & a Tour with Old Friends’ CEO John Nicholson and Founder Michael Blowen on October 28 and October 29 with those morning and afternoon tours starting at 10:30 AM.
You can find details about all our Breeders’ Cup Week events below.
Lunch & a Tour With Old Friends with CEO John Nicholson and Founder Michael Blowen
$150 Per Person · Gift Bag · Lunch · Limited Ticketing · Call to Book
Wednesday, October 28 & Thursday, October 29
Tour at 10:30 with Lunch at noon
Lunch at noon with Tour at 1:oo pm
Tickets to these special tours can be booked at (502) 863-1775.
Old Friends Breeders’ Cup Bash 2026
Sunday, November 1, 2026
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Breeders’ Cup winners Little Mike and Stormy Liberal invite you to celebrate past and present Breeders’ Cup champions at the Old Friends Breeder’s Cup Bash.
Spend the afternoon at Old Friends enjoying great food, live music, exciting auctions, and the company of fellow racing fans while supporting the mission of Old Friends.
Your Ticket Includes
- Delicious buffet by Proud Mary
- Non-alcoholic beverages (while supplies last)
- Live music
- Mini Tours of Old Friends
- Access to our Live & Silent Auctions featuring:
- Horse racing memorabilia
- Collectible halters
- Equine artwork
- And much more!
Buy your ticket at https://secure.givelively.org/
Event Location
The event will be held in the parking lot beside the Old Friends Gift Shop under two large event tents, providing plenty of space for an afternoon of fun.
Parking: Available alongside the lane leading to the Gift Shop and in the pond parking area (our standard event parking).
Check-In: Event registration and check-in will be located in front of the Gift Shop.
Ticket Prices
- Adults: $50
- 2026 Old Friends Clubhouse Members: $25 per ticket (discount valid for up to two tickets)
- Children 12 & Under: Free
Silent Auction Information
Our Silent Auction will be hosted online through eBay, allowing supporters from anywhere to participate.
- Auction Opens: Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST
- Auction Closes: Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST during the event
All bidders must have an eBay account to participate.
Guests attending the event who win Silent Auction items may pick them up that day. To do so, “Local Pick Up” must be selected during checkout in accordance with eBay guidelines. Otherwise, winning items will be shipped.
Please watch for posted start and end times for both the Live and Silent Auctions during the event. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for additional event updates and auction previews.
For more information, call (502) 863-1775.
Thank you for supporting the mission of Old Friends and helping provide lifelong retirement for Thoroughbred athletes.
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