Brees, Saints Lend Old Friends a Helping Hand

Edited Press Release

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement facility based in Georgetown, KY, owes a big debt to the NFL this week–specifically New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Thanks to the Big Ten record-holder–whose team will kick-off against the Carolina Panthers in the first NFL Wild Card Round this Sunday–one of Old Friends's retired mares was able to have a life-saving operation.

When one of its residents, Misszoey Belle, a now 13-year-old mare, showed sudden and severe signs of a gastrointestinal disorder in mid-December, it was quickly determined that surgery was her only chance for survival. A hard-knocker on the track, Misszoey Belle had 74 starts and seven wins, earning only $70,000 in her career and racing until she was eight. After her final start, she was bought back by her breeder, John C. Oxley and retired to Old Friends.

The mare was rushed to Park Equine Clinic in Lexington, which usually provides Old Friends with cost-free veterinary care. But an equine surgeon was not available, so the clinic called in Dr. Christopher Johnson, whose Equine Surgical Services is located in nearby Versailles, KY. She underwent surgery to repair a very serious intestinal obstruction known as an epiploic foramen entrapment. Her life spared, Misszoey Belle returned to Old Friends a few days later and is now recovering well with an excellent prognosis.

Discovering that the mare was an Old Friends retiree, Dr. Johnson offered to waive his fee. But knowing that he was a huge Saints fan, Old Friends resident veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge offered Johnson a concession: How about an autographed football?

“I went to high school in New Orleans, so I have been a Saints fan as long as I've been alive,” says Johnson.

Luckily, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson is also a well-known racehorse owner, and one of his former runners, Saint Aloysius, was retired to Old Friends after suffering a career-ending injury last year. Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen made a call to the Saints' office and Brees was kind enough to help out.

“We always love helping Old Friends and Michael,” said Greg Bensel, who manages GMB Racing for the Bensons and is also the Senior Vice President of Communications for the Saints. “After all, he was there for us when we needed a good home for Saint Aloysius.

“Drew is so kind and giving with his time that when we need a signed ball he's always available,” Bensel continued. “And to be honest, he loves the horse racing industry and he loves that the horses at Old Friends get great care. So while he is busy planning for the Panthers game, I know he feels great about this.”

“It's really great to see professional athletes such as Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints helping our professional athletes like Misszoey Belle when they need us most,” said Blowen. “We can't thank the team and Dr. Johnson enough.”