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Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby
A Unique Online Charity Hat Auction Benefiting

Old Friends

sponsored by
^{MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS®
Custom Couture Millinery by Sally Faith Steinmann}

The "Will's Way" Hat

MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS^® and Old Friends have teamed up for an unparalleled online shopping experience: "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby". CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Shannon of Chicago, the winner of our fourth Derby hat, the Will's Way" (pictured below); Helen was also the winner of the "Commentator" hat that was up for bid in February. This unique Derby hat fundraiser features one-of-a-kind couture Derby hats created by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS^® to benefit Old Friends. Our fifth Derby hat auction will continue on March 1st, 2010, through the 11th. A very special Derby hat design has been created to celebrate another retiree at Old Friends and will soon be available for viewing. To learn more about Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, please visit the Old Friends website to access the eBay link or call them at 502-863-1775. And CONGRATULATIONS once again to Mr. Bruce Dutton of Alabama, the winner of our first and third Derby auction hats, the "Black Tie Affair" and Bull Inthe Heather", that were up for bid in November and January!

To highlight Will's Way dark mane and tail, black dupioni silk was used for the underbrim to create almost a look of shadow as well as a contrast to the layers above. More than eight yards of black, espresso and chocolate tulle layers, carefully arranged from ascending dark to lighter tones, reflect Will's Way's magnificent coat, mane and tail glistening in the sun. Stunning drama from any angle...

The theme of Will's Way's dark mane and tail returns once again when black is combined with the royal blue and white racing colors of Rudlein Stables to create a truly innovative sash design. Royal blue satin, white dupioni silk and black satin were first layered, one upon the other, pleated, and then pinched to reflect the Stable's signature racing silks design consisting of a series of sharp, angular blue diamonds against a white background.

In celebration of Will's Way's glorious Whitney and Travers triumphs, two luxurious peony flowers were created. Layers of black silk organza and black satin form the background petals and were set in the front and back of the hat, almost like bookends, to balance the overall hat design. The center of each peony was filled with a single hand-rolled white silk organza rose curl, cradled in a wispy layer of delicate blue tulle to reflect the white marking so distinctive on Will's Way's forehead. The center of each rose is filled with blue buttons.

Finally, a hat for Will's Way would not be complete without honoring his sire, the great racehorse Easy Goer (Alydar), the multiple Grade 1 winner whom Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day described as the greatest horse he ever rode. To celebrate this pedigree, a red satin lining was added to the inside of the chapeau to incorporate the only color that was missing from Easy Goer's racing silks of red, white and blue. This detail is an integral part of the hat's foundation and signifies that Will's Way was indeed born with Easy Goer's heart, the heart of a true champion.

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To read more about this accomplished athlete at Old Friends, please click on the following link - Featured Horse.

This amazing millinery delight will be up for bid from February 1st through February 11th, 2010. At the end of the month, the winning bidder's name will be announced (unless they prefer to remain anonymous) and on March 1st, 2010 the next hat will be put up for bid.

Bid as many times and on as many hats as you like during this running auction. For further information about the eBay bidding process, please contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775. If you don't desire to place a bid on a hat, please contact Old Friends to see about what other ways you might be able to help out at Dream Chase Farm.

Freight charges will be at the expense of the winning bidder. Winning bidders, please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery of your hat in order to ensure proper sizing.

CONGRATULATIONS once again to Mr. Bruce Dutton of Alabama, the winner of our first Derby hat, the "Black Tie Affair", that was up for bid in November! And CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Shannon of Chicago, the winner of our second Derby hat, the "Commentator", that was up for bid in December!

To view the couture Derby hats that we have had up for bid in former rounds of this exclusive Derby hat auction, please click on the following - Old Friends Hat Auction Portfolio

BID NOW! - Our fourth Derby hat auction continues February 1st, 2010, through the 11th. A very special Derby hat design has been created to celebrate, Will's Way, another retiree at Old Friends for the February auction. To place a bid or to learn more about Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm, please visit the Old Friends website to access the eBay link or call them at 502-863-1775.

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