GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 3, 2015
The online fashion auction, “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, continues today with a fifth handcrafted Derby chapeau on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.
This new hat was inspired by Old Friends retiree Williamstown, the 25-year-old son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew who has been pensioned at Old Friends since 2007. A graded stakes winner, Williamstown captured the Withers Stakes at Belmont Park in 1993 and marked one of the fastest miles in the history of the oval.
For the Old Friends campaign, the beautiful chapeau is modeled in accompanying photos and behind-the-scenes video by leading jockey Rosie Napravnik along with her husband, trainer Joe Sharp.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six exclusive Derby hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 150 retired racehorses.
Bidding on “The Williamstown” ends at 8 pm on February 11th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at
www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.
A wide-brim hat made of rich dupioni silk and various layers of organza, The Williamstown is adorned with the colors of his former racing stable: three yellow rose curls spill down along the hat’s 22-inch brim, each nesting in a medley of textured plum organza leaves.
For a final touch, eight long and curvaceous silk “feathers” are set behind each rose in such a way as to gently frame the wearer’s face.
As always, strand of the stallion’s tail hair have been braided and woven into the trim for a physical remembrance.
For more information about Old Friends see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.
Maggie Mae Designs® Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions – from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can been seen on her website atwww.maggiemaedesigns.com
PHOTO CAPTIONS Rosie Napravnik and Joe Sharp with Williamstown. Rosie models the Williamstown hat. Dress by Bella Rose Boutique, photo © and courtesy of EquiSport Photos
