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______________________________ Current Auction Hat The
Derby Hat Collection by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® ______________________________
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Please join us once again for the The
Sixth Annual
For the sixth consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® of Cape Cod and Old Friends of Kentucky have teamed up again for an unparalleled online shopping experience that began November 1st with their "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby" auction. This unique Derby hat fundraiser is an annual event which features one-of-a-kind couture Derby hats created and donated by Sally Faith Steinmann of MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® to benefit the retired racehorses of Old Friends. The fourth hat up for bid in our auction series honors the Ohio-bred stakes-winning gelding and 3-time Ohio Horse of the Year, Catlaunch. Known affectionately by some as Thistledown's “Iron Horse”, Catlaunch retired at the age of 13 to Old Friends as a thoroughbred millionaire with 40 victories and 22 stakes wins to his credit. The “Catlaunch” chapeau is up for bid from January 1st through the 11th. _______________________________________________________________________________
In a blog post by Susan Salk of Off-Track Thoroughbreds that came out just prior to Catlaunch's arrival at Old Friends, Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, described this millionaire war horse as “the greatest Ohio bred in history, a great fan favorite and the pride of Ohio.” To read about this magnificent Thoroughbred athlete, please click on the photo below of Catlaunch courtesy of Rick Capone.
Beth Shannon, a volunteer at Old Friends, states, “Catlaunch is the color of an antique mahogany piece of furniture. A lovely, rich brown though not flashy. But there is one thing about his looks that's very flashy - he is a giraffe! Tall, long legged, long necked, holds his head high, slender. A beautiful horse. Long and elegant! He’s all heart and he’s sweet, too. He likes to lick faces and ears.” According to Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends, "Catlaunch is a prime example of how a sturdy Thoroughbred, given the care and love of his trainer, groom, owner and jockey, can have a successful career for many years. He's very smart and loveable and he eats carrots out of my mouth."
Indeed,
an elegant, statuesque chapeau was needed to honor this beloved
racing star and celebrate his new life at Old Friends. The
resulting design showcases Catlaunch's medium bay coloring, his
friendly, affectionate personality and his racing silk colors of
turquoise blue, soft pink and a splash of golden yellow.
To capture Catlaunch's statuesque physique, the foundation for the “Catlaunch” hat was fashioned as a top hat design out of a bluish turquoise taffeta.
A large rose curl, created out of alternating layers of blush pink and rose pink organza adorns the front of the hat. A medley of turquoise blue organza leaves were fashioned to frame the rose.
A double bow created out of a rich golden mahogany brown crinkled taffeta lined with soft turquoise crinkled taffeta frames the rose; a sash created out of the same fabric encircles the crown of the hat.
The entire hat is delicately covered with soft mocha hat veiling that drapes down over the wearer's face.
For a final touch to the centerpiece, three long, curvaceous “feathers” created out of mocha organza with a golden shimmer were set behind the rose curl.
Three clear, soft blue buttons adorn the back seam.
The lining was created from a rich chocolate taffeta.
The finished “Catlaunch” design measures approximately 17 inches across and 10 inches in height, inclusive of the “feathers”.
As a physical remembrance of Catlaunch, several strands of the gelding's tail hair were braided and woven into the trim of the hat, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau that captures Catlaunch not only in spirit but in substance as well. The purpose of this amazing millinery delight is to honor the life of Catlaunch and all of the horses who, thanks to the generosity of those who support their aftercare, now graze in the warm sunshine of Dream Chase Farm for the rest of their lives. "Sally Faith Steinmann's works of millinery art have raised thousands of dollars and a priceless amount of awareness for all these great retired athletes. Their stunning beauty and indescribable originality symbolize what one great artist can do to positively alter the lives of so many deserving athletes." - Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends
Welcome
Home,
Catlaunch!
__________________________________________________________________________ The “Catlaunch” chapeau is up for bid from January 1st through the 11th. To read more about Catlaunch, the horse, please click on the following link - Featured Horse.
_______________________________________________________________________________ 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 3-4 weeks for delivery of your hat in order to ensure proper sizing. To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on the following - Old Friends Hat Auction Portfolio.
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