Tag Archives: Maggie Mae Designs

Old Friends “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Unveils “The Danthebluegrassman”

Jockey Chris and his wife Shelby Landeros. Photo © Equisport Photography.

The 8th Annual Maggie Mae Designs® Old Friends-sponsored online fashion auction, “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, has opened bidding on the final hat in the 2017 series.

The Derby-style chapeau currently up for bid honors one-time Derby contender Danthebluegrassman.

Bidding in this online auction will be available through April 11, 2017, 8:00 pm (EST). To bid, CLICK HERE.

This unique fundraiser features one-of-a-kind couture hats created by Maggie Mae Designs®, the sale of which benefits Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility based in Georgetown, KY.

To date, this annual online fashion auction has raised over $30,000 for Old Friends.

Kentucky-bred Danthebluegrassman captured the 2001 Gold Rush Stakes as a two-year-old and then the 2002 Golden Gate Derby, which made him a top contender for the 2002 Kentucky Derby. But injury kept him from starting on the First Saturday in May in the race that was won by his stablemate, War Emblem. Dan continued to race, but by 2008 had fallen down the claiming ranks. Thanks to several fans and supporters, the chestnut son of Pioneering was claimed and retired to Old Friends.

The custom-crafted chapeau honoring this athlete makes use of owner Mike Pegram’s bright racing silks of bold red and yellow. The hat features a champagne silk foundation highlighted by wispy layers of bright tulle. The centerpiece is a large red rose placed along the crown. The flower is framed with a medley of yellow organza leaves, each of which is delicately top stitched in red for added detailing.

As with all of the Maggie Mae Designs®, the “Danthebluegrassman” hat is stunning from every angle with no detail left untouched.

Special thanks to our models Krystal and Jon Court and their daughter, Aubrey, and Shelby and Chris Landeros. Thanks also to Lexington-based boutique Bella Rose for furnishing Krystal and Shelby’s lovely dresses!

To see more photos and read more about the hat’s design, CLICK HERE.

Old Friends, Inc. 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324
502-863-1775 www.oldfriendsequine.org   michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Old Friends at Cabin Creek   483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833
518-698-2377   www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com   cabincreek4@hotmail.com

8th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Kicks Off with “The Alphabet Soup” Chapeau

Old Friends retiree Alphabet Soup poses with Krystal Court.

For the eighth consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® and Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement are teaming up for an unparalleled shopping experience: “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”.

This unique fundraiser features an online auction of one-of-a-kind couture hats created by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS®, with the 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Old Friends.

The first hat up for bid in our auction series, which kicked off January 1st, honors Old Friends retiree Alphabet Soup, winner of the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Bidding in this online auction will be available through January 11, 8:00 pm (EST). To bid, CLICK HERE.

Sally Faith Steinmann, who owns the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs®, will donate four magnificent millinery creations in 2017 to raise funds for Old Friends, the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that cares for over 165 retired racehorses.  Each hat is inspired by one of the retirees at Old Friends, and will be auctioned the first of each month through April 1st, 2017. Each will be ready to wear at this year’s Run for the Roses.

To date, Steinmann has raised over $26,000 for Old Friends.

ABOUT THE HAT

A very special hat was needed to honor this charming retiree. The resulting design reflects Alphabet Soup’s pearl-white coat, his familiar racing silk colors of orange-red and sage green, and his proud spirit and athleticism.

The foundation of the heat features a curved, wide-brim created out of pearl-white dupioni silk. A fancy grey braiding was hand stitched to the under brim to reflect the stallion’s darker mane and tail when he was a colt.

Yards of shimmering white and grey tulle were swirled together and layered around the crown to provide a wispy bed for a cluster of roses, each made with alternating layers of red China silk and silk organza. The rose clusters are framed with a medley of tarragon-green organza leaves. And for the finishing touch, a large pewter pebble button adorns the back seam.

The finished “Alphabet Soup” hat design measures over 23 inches across inclusive of the tulle.

Old Friends, Inc. 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324
502-863-1775 www.oldfriendsequine.org   michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Old Friends at Cabin Creek   483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833
518-698-2377   www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com   cabincreek4@hotmail.com

The “War Emblem” Is Final Design on the Block in Old Friends 7th Hats Off to the Horses Auction

All proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 2, 2016 – Last chance! The sixth and final Derby-style hat in the online fashion auction “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” goes on the block April 1st.

The last hat in the six-month auction, which raises money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, will honor 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, who retired to Old Friends last September.

The beautiful chapeau is modeled by Shea Leparoux accompanied by her husband, leading jockey Julien Leparoux.

Bidding on “The War Emblem” begins at 8 pm on April 1st and will be open for 10 days only.  Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

This is the seventh 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-style chapeaus between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 160 retired racehorses.

For more information and additional photos, CLICK HERE.

About the Horse

Bred by Charles Nuckols of Midway, KY, War Emblem (Our Emblem – Sweetest Lady, Lord at War) captured the Illinois Derby in an impressive gate-to-wire victory. Three weeks later he captured the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Following a win in the Preakness, War Emblem became a serious contender to capture history’s 12th Triple Crown, but he stumbled badly at the start of the Belmont Stakes and ended up beaten by long-shot Sarava, who, as fate would have it, is now also a retiree at Old Friends.

War Emblem went on to capture the Haskell Invitational for a third Grade 1 win that year and retired with 13 starts, 7 wins and earnings of $3,491,000.

He stood stallion duty in Japan until 2015, when he was returned to the United States to be pensioned at Old Friends.

About the Hat

The foundation of the “War Emblem” hat was fashioned as a wide-brim design, measuring a full 30 inches across, done in deep black silk, with a white brocade under brim that frames the wearer’s face when the hat is upturned.

The chapeau is trimmed with a unique ruffled edge that allows light to pass through the sheer fabric. Created out of black silk organza overlaid with black silk “pinstripes”, the resulting look is one of smooth elegance befitting this great Thoroughbred athlete.

Three large rose curls were placed along the crown to echo the horse’s Triple Crown campaign, with each rose beautifully framed in a medley of emerald green and bold blue leaves.

For the finishing touch, a large black pebble button adorns the back of the hat.

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 be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for over 160 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. 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.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Maggie Mae Designs (508) 430-1626, sally@maggiemae.com

“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Continues with “Yankee Fourtune” Chapeau

Brian Hernandez with Joshlyn, Yankee Fourtune and Jamie Hernandez (Photo by EquiSport)

Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – JANUARY 4, 2015 – The online fashion auction, “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, continues today with a third 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 Yankee Fourtune, a graded-stakes winner bred in Kentucky by Brereton Jones.

For the Old Friends campaign, the beautiful chapeau is modeled in accompanying photos and behind-the-scenes video by Jamie Hernandez, her husband, leading jockey Brian Hernandez, and their daughter, Joshlyn. (Jamie’s lovely ensemble is courtesy of Lexington’s Bella Rose boutique.)

For photos and addition information, go to http://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Hat-YankeeFourtune.htm.

For a behind-the-scenes video, go to: https://vimeo.com/150387295.

Bidding on “The Yankee Fourtune” began on January 2nd and will be open for 10 days only, ending on January 12th at 8 pm. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

This is the seventh 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 155 retired racehorses.

Yankee Fourtune was owned by Harvey A. Clarke and Andrew Albstein, who purchased him for $37,000 at the Keeneland September 2008 yearling sale.

The son of Yankee Gentleman out of the Mi Cielo mare, Madam Ann, Yankee Fourtune was unplaced as a 2-year-old, but went on a winning spree – five straight victories – at three after conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin switched him from dirt to turf. His stakes wins include the GR3 Hawthorne Derby and the GR3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes.

In all, Yankee had 31 career starts, winning nine of them and earning over $390,000.

The “Yankee Fourtune” was fashioned with a flat, wide-brim of silver dupioni silk, which is adorned with a fluid outer layer of ruffled, pale-silver organza.

The hat’s trim is highlighted by a large anemone – a new innovation from Maggie Mae Designs® created especially for Yankee Fourtune – that’s surrounded by a medley of emerald green silk and taffeta leaves. The center of the anemone is a shimmering black-pebble button circled with a ring of softly gathered green tulle and ruched charcoal silk organza.

Long, charcoal colored silk organza “feathers”, a MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® trademark, were then carefully stitched to add a splash of dramatic detail to the floral trim.

As always, a physical remembrance of Yankee Fourtune, several strands of the gelding’s tail hair, were braided and woven into the trim.

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 be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for 155 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. 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.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Maggie Mae Designs (508) 430-1626, sally@maggiemae.com

7th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Continues with the Mixed Pleasure Chapeau

Julien Leparoux, Shea Leparoux and baby Mitchell (Photo by EquiSport)

Proceeds from the online fashion auction to benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 7, 2015 – The online fashion auction “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” continues with a second beautiful Derby chapeau going on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

This new hat pays tribute to Old Friends retiree Mixed Pleasure. Best known as the oldest living descendant of the great Seabiscuit, Mixy passed away at age 30 in October.

The hat crafted in his honor will be showcased by Shea Leparoux, her husband, leading jockey Julien Leparoux, and their baby son, Mitchell, and will be up for bid through December 14th.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six handcrafted Kentucky Derby-style hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 155 retired racehorses. Steinmann’s works of millinery art have raised more than $25,000 for Old Friends.

The Mixed Pleasure chapeau was fashioned as a flat, wide-brim design using chestnut dupioni silk for the foundation. A large Marguerite, sculpted out of several shades of yellow organza, adorns the front of the hat. The center of the Marguerite is a rose curl in royal blue silk organza with a beaded center created out of shimmering royal blue seed beads.

Dozens of long slender blue and yellow silk organza “feathers”, a Maggie Mae Designs® trademark, were carefully stitched, layered and then shaped to cradle the Marguerite. Lastly, a yellow taffeta under brim creates a vibrant, colorful effect when upturned against the wearer’s face.

As a physical remembrance of Mixed Pleasure, several strands of his tail hair were also braided and woven into the trim of the hat.

For additional photos and to read more, click here: http://www.maggiemae.com/OldFriendsAuction-Horse-MixedPleasure.htm.

Bidding on the Mixed Pleasure began at 8 pm on December 4th and will be open for 10 days only until 8pm on December 14th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

The photo shoots for each hat, done by EquiSport Photographers Matt and Wendy Wooley, took place this fall at Old Friends and matches Steinmann’s beautiful hats with ensembles from Lexington’s Bella Rose Boutique. For a video of Shea and Julien’s photo shoot, click here: http://vimeo.com/147510596.

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 be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. 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.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Maggie Mae Designs (508) 430-1626, sally@maggiemae.com

Jockey Rosie Napravnik Is Official Spokesmodel for 5th Annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”

Rosie Napravnik and Patton by EquiSport Photos.

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.

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 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.

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 be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

About Old Friends
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 115 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. 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.

“Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to The Derby” Online Auction of Couture Kentucky Derby Hats Returns for Third Year

Proceeds to Benefit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement

GEORGETOWN, KY – OCTOBER 31, 2011 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, is happy to announce the launch of the third annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online auction of exclusive Kentucky Derby hats.

The first of six hats exclusive Derby chapeaus will go on the virtual block November 1st and bidding will be open for 10 days. The first hat will commemorate Hall of Fame Champion Noor.

Interested bidders can visit www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

In the past two years this the six-month-long charity auction, featuring beautiful hats handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinman, has raised nearly $9,000 for the more than 100 retired racehorses cared for by Old Friends.

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