Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm dedicated to providing a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end, is pleased to announce the election of Robert Fulmer as its chairman and Kerry Cauthen as vice chair of its board of directors.
They are joined by newly elected members Dr. William Rood, Mark Toothaker, Laura McAnnaly, and Craig Robertson III as part of Old Friends' 18-strong Old Friends Board as the retirement organization looks toward the future.
In their new roles, they will help support Old Friends' continued mission of providing exceptional lifetime care for retired Thoroughbreds while promoting responsible aftercare and educating the public about the importance of caring for horses throughout every stage of their lives.
"Having Bob Fulmer and Kerry Cauthen in their leadership roles, as well as the addition of such an impressive array of talented new Board members, signals a strong and dynamic future for Old Friends and the role it plays within the Aftercare movement and Thoroughbred Racing," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends.
A Board member since December 2024, Fulmer replaces long time Chair Cindy Grisolia, who will continue her Board service as Secretary. Grisolia also played an instrumental role in assisting Founder Michael Blowen in establishing Old Friends as an early pillar of the Thoroughbred Aftercare movement.
"We will be forever grateful to Cindy Grisolia for her extraordinary service," said Nicholson. "It was during the years of her Board leadership that, fired by the vision and passion of Michael Blowen, Old Friends established itself as setting the standard for safe, comfortable and responsible retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses."
Fulmer brings to the board a deep appreciation for the Thoroughbred industry and a commitment to the horses whose talent, heart and athleticism have contributed so much to the sport of racing. The founder of Fulmer Associates and a horse owner himself, Bob's specialized expertise in historic equine architecture ultimately drew him to Kentucky where he merged his professional capabilities with a lifelong passion for horses. Raised 20 miles from Delaware Park, his deep affinity for Thoroughbreds led him to Old Friends.
"As one of the nation's most prominent Thoroughbred Aftercare organizations, Old Friends is poised to embark upon a new era of growth and innovation. Under the leadership of CEO John Nicholson, along with our capable and energized Board of Directors, we are expanding our reach to meet the challenges of an ever-changing industry landscape," said Fulmer.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with John and the Board on a number of critical initiatives, including exploring new revenue streams, expanding our geographical footprint and seeking new and exciting ways to, not only tell the story of racing, but to have both people and the horses we serve benefit from all we undertake. "
Fulmer is joined in his leadership role by new Vice Chair Kerry Cauthen, a member of the board since March of 2024.
A third-generation horseman from Walton, Ky. Kerry is the owner and managing partner of Four Star Sales, a Lexington-based Thoroughbred consignment and consulting company selling horses at major sales in Lexington, Ky., and Saratoga, NY. A former member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Kerry has served on several boards and organizations representing various aspects of the Thoroughbred industry. He is particularly proud to serve Old Friends and support its mission of providing Aftercare for the Thoroughbreds who have given so much to the sport.
"Day in and day out, the wonderful people who work and volunteer with Old Friends do an incredible job caring for some of the greatest Thoroughbred heroes of our sport--and even more of the unsung Thoroughbreds who we all love just as much," said Cauthen. "Since its creation by Michael Blowen and others, Old Friends has been at the forefront of equine aftercare, while introducing many thousands of visitors each year to the importance of aftercare in all its forms. There continues to be so much promising growth and innovation at Old Friends, and I look forward to helping it continue to grow and move into the future."
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