Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility.
GEORGETOWN, KY-DECEMBER 1, 2013- This fall leading jockey Rosie Napravnik will throw off her helmet and don a one-of-a-kind Kentucky Derby chapeau to support the 5th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online hat auction that raises money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Central Kentucky.
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. Napravnik kicked off the 5th Annual auction in November by modeling a stunning hat inspired by Old Friends retiree Sean Avery, the GR1 winning sprinter.
The fashion auction continues December 1st with Napravnik showing “The Patton,” another handcrafted design influenced by one of the retired Thoroughbreds at Old Friends.
The photos for this “Hats off to the Horses” campaign are by Equisport Photos and Napravnik’s ensembles are courtesy of the Lexington boutique Bella Rose.
Photo of Rosie Napravnik and Patton by EquiSport Photos
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 Kentucky Derby hats, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 120 retired racehorses. One hat will be auctioned each month leading up to the 2014 running of the Kentucky Derby.
To date, this unique fundraiser has earned nearly $18,000 for Old Friends.
“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.”
Bidding on “The Patton” will begin at 10 am and be open for 10 days only. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.
For a video of Napravnik’s photo shoots visit http://vimeo.com/80017845 .
About Patton
A graded stakes winner, Patton impressively won his track debut as a 2-year-old. He went on to win the William Thompson Stakes and the GR 2 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Conditioned by Hubert Hine, the bay son of Lord At War went on to win six of his 18 starts. His track earnings totaled $237,462.
About the Hat
Made of a moody blue-green dupioni silk, the “Patton” features a gentle upturned brim with a moderate “top hat” crown.
A single large flower made of swirling layers of plum, blue and lavender silk, taffeta and organza adorns the hat while a layered sash of crinkled mocha encircles the crown.
The “Patton” hat is stunning from every angle-even the lining was created from soft turquoise-blue metallic taffetta to coordinate with the trims.
For additional information contact Maggie Mae Designs® at info@maggiemae.com .
For more information about Old Friends see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 120 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, N.Y., Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.
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 at
www.maggiemaedesigns.com
