Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., is excited to announce the launch of our annual HayRaiser campaign on July 1, with the fundraiser continuing through September to help provide hay for more than 280 retired Thoroughbreds in our care.
Over the next three months, supporters are invited to take an active part in helping our herd by making gifts of any amount, with every donation helping provide quality forage for the horses who call Old Friends home. Through their gifts, donors become part of the horses' daily lives, helping provide breakfast, dinner, and everything in between to make sure our herd of Kentucky Derby winners, Breeders' Cup champions, fan favorites, and lesser-known horses get the individualized care that is a cornerstone of the program.
"Old Friends is proud to give the best of care to every single one of our horses, each and every day," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. "We are able to do this because of the people who support our cause with their generosity. Hay is the foundation of a horse's diet. It is a particularly critical component in the winter months. The time to be ready for winter is now. We remain deeply grateful to all who have helped us care for these very special retired athletes."
Hay is not only a vital part in a horse's health and nutrition, but it is also crucial to help keep horses warm through the bitter cold season. Last year, Old Friends spent more than $100,000 on hay to ensure its residents had the year-round forage they needed. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, more than $50,000 was raised in 2025. To combat rising hay costs, this year we're aiming to exceed that amount.
Those following along with the fundraiser and looking for educational content about Old Friends' hay usage can visit our social media sites, where we'll be posting weekly content related to this year's HayRaiser.
Donations to the HayRaiser can be made online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/oldfriends?code=Donate Now NFG, by credit card over the phone by calling (502) 863-1775, or by mailing a check with the subject line "HayRaiser" to 1841 Paynes Depot Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324.
