Black Tie Affair, Little Silver Charm, Bull in the Heather, Jade Hunter, Tour of the Cat, Sunshine Forever, Kudos, Wallenda, Narrow Escape, Swan's Way, Popcorn Deelites, Creator, Ruhlmann, Precisionist, Fortunate Prospect, Oxygian, Affirmed Success, Clever Allemont, Bonnie's' Poker, Kiri's Clown........
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Hats
Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby Old Friends sponsored
by
Final Auction Hat Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cagrisolia@yahoo.com, or MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® (508-430-1626), info@maggiemae.com The
Last ‘Derby Hat’ on the Auction Block Today GEORGETOWN, KY–APRIL 1, 2010– There may be less than a month before the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby, but there is still time to get an exclusive handcrafted Derby Hat. The online fashion auction “Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” continues today with “The Sunshine Forever,” the sixth and last hat on the auction block. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY. In November 2009, Old Friends announced this six-month-long charity auction featuring a new custom-made Derby hat every month right up to the First Saturday in May. Each hat is inspired by one of the 95 retirees now pensioned at Old Friends and the benefit has so far raised over $3,500 for the non-profit organization. All six of the exclusive handcrafted chapeaus were created and graciously donated by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs®. Old Friends resident Sunshine Forever was the inspiration for this hat. In 1988, the 3-year-old Darby Dan stallion Sunshine Forever won two prestigious graded stakes: The Hill Prince and the Lexington. Trained by John Veitch, who also trained the extraordinary Alydar, Sunshine Forever then stepped up with back-to-back victories in three GR1 races: the Turf Classic at Belmont, the Man O' War, and—in an impressive fight to the finish—the Budweiser International. A favorite in the Breeder's Cup Turf, he narrowly missed the win. Nevertheless, he was honored as 1988's Eclipse winner for outstanding Turf Horse. The bay colt continued racing at age 4, bringing his track earnings to over $2 million. Sunshine Forever retired to Old Friends in 2004. He is the first stallion to ever be returned to the United States from stud duty in Japan. This beautiful Derby hat was created in a rich cinnamon-tinted dupioni silk. An innovative trim of swirling colors, textures, and shapes celebrates the stallion's muscular conformation, racing colors, and impressive career. To continue the color scheme, Steinmann has added a chocolate taffeta sash along with nearly five yards of gold and mocha tulle that form a delicate nest around the crown. Finally, the lovely hat is adorned with five peony-shaped organza flowers representing the horse’s five major stakes wins. The petals have a fawn-colored, dupioni silk center that holds a medley of shimmering beads and buttons designed to catch light and sparkle in the sunshine. “This amazing equine athlete deserved a very special hat,” said Steinmann, “one that would speak not only to his stellar career, but also to the fondness that many visitors to Old Friends have for him.” Bidding begins on “The Sunshine Forever” April 1 and the auction will conclude on April 11. To view the hat and place a bid go to www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link. To read more about Maggie Mae Designs® go to www.maggiemaedesigns.com For additional
information contact Cynthia Grisolia at cagrisolia@yahoo.com
(347-423-7322) or Maggie Mae Designs® at info@maggiemae.com
(508-430-1626). 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 Home l Contact l About the Auction l Current Auction Hat l Old Friends l Featured Horse
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