Jockey Rosie Napravnik Kicks off the 5th Annual “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” auctions.  One of the most successful female jockeys in horse racing, Napravnik is also an avid Old Friends supporter and a member of its board of directors. She has graciously modeled each of the six beautiful designs that will be auctioned, one per month, leading right up to the 2014 running of the Kentucky Derby.

This year’s first hat “The Sean Avery,” is named for the GR1 winning sprinter who retired to Old Friends in February of this year.  The auction ends at 8 pm (EST) Monday, November 11th.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® to auction six handcrafted Derby hats, each inspired by one of our retired racehorses.  To date, this unique fundraiser has raised over $17,000 for Old Friends.  Click here to see the hat and BID.

“I am a big fan of Old Friends and its mission,” says Napravnik. “I always keep in mind that a horse may be win a Breeders’ Cup race this year but next year they may need a place to reside in retirement.”

For a video of Napravnik’s photo shoot with the 7-year-old gelding Sean Avery click here.

About Sean Avery:  Named after the Canadian Hockey star, Sean Avery (Cherokee Run – Latin Lynx, by Forest Wildcat) was a sprinter best known for capturing the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (GR1) at Saratoga in 2011 and the Affiliate Stakes at Belmont Park in 2012.  Owned by Black Swan Stables, Sean Avery was retired with a record of seven wins from 14 starts and earnings of $398,640.

 


 © equisportphotos.com

About the hat:  The Sean Avery chapeau is a very stylish Derby hat designed with a unique blend of colors, tones and textures The hat was fashioned out of black dupioni silk and features a sweeping brim that upturns to create a dramatic, asymmetrical style.  It’s adorned with a single re d flower crafted out swirling layers of metallic taffeta and dupioni silk and dozens of silk organza feathers-a MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® trademark.   For final touch, three rosettes decorate the under brim lending a note of elegance and charm.  Hidden away is a small swatch of Sean Avery’s mane hair.  Even if you were not Derby-bound, the Sean Avery hat would be a chic addition to any formal ensemble.