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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 sponsored by For the sixth consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® and Old Friends are teaming 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 third hat up for bid in our auction series honors Kentucky-bred 3-time Santa Anita Handicap winner and millionaire, Game On Dude. With earnings of just under $6.5 million, the Dude won 16 of 34 starts, including 14 graded stakes and, notably, two editions of both the Hollywood Gold Cup and Goodwood/Awesome Again Stakes. The “Game On Dude” chapeau is up for bid from December 1st through the 11th. Bidding has ended on the “Game On Dude” hat auction. The next auction hat goes up for bid on January 1st! _______________________________________________________________________________
In a Bloodhorse article that came out just prior to Game On Dude's arrival at Old Friends, President and founder of Old Friends, Michael Blowen stated, "We are thrilled that Bob Baffert and the owners of Game On Dude are entrusting Old Friends with their spectacular racehorse.” And he added, "Now I know how the people of Cleveland felt when LeBron James signed with the Cavs.”
To
read about this magnificent Thoroughbred athlete, please click on
the photo below of Game On Dude courtesy of Laura Battles.
Beth Shannon, a volunteer at Old Friends, states, “Game On Dude is absolutely a sweetie. He's also one cool dude in the sense of a certain smooth elegance with one of the most refined, elegant heads I've ever seen on a Thoroughbred. No frills and no uneven edges about his personality, just plenty of grace and style. If I were designing a visual tribute to Game On Dude, I'd make it cool, sleek and dynamic in a daring, graceful way.”
Indeed,
a daring yet graceful chapeau was needed to honor this
accomplished racing superstar and celebrate his new life at Old
Friends. The resulting design showcases the Dude's medium bay
coloring, his friendly, “cool dude” personality and
his racing silk colors of royal blue, deep pumpkin orange and
white piping.
The foundation for the “Game On Dude” hat is a fedora-flavored crown with a wide brim fashioned out of chocolate brown dupioni silk. A swirling black brocade underbrim reflects the undulating, rippling motion of the magnificently muscled Thoroughbred athlete stretched out at full gallop.
The edge of the brim was trimmed with a unique ruffled brim edge which allows light to pass through the sheer fabric. Created out of black silk organza overlaid with chocolate brown silk “pinstripes”, the resulting look is one of smooth elegance befitting the coolest of dudes.
For the finishing touch a black fancy braiding was hand stitched to the ruffled brim edge.
A large rose curl, created out of alternating layers of deep pumpkin orange silk, cinnamon organza and pale peach organza, adorns the front of the hat. A medley of deep royal blue satin and organza leaves were fashioned to frame the rose.
For a final touch to the centerpiece, eight black silk organza “feathers” lined with shimmering gold organza were set behind the rose curl to reflect The Dude's eight Grade 1 wins and, most especially, his record three Santa Anita and two Hollywood Gold Cup victories.
A sash created out of several layers of royal blue satin lined with gold organza encircles the crown of the hat; a gold button adorns the sash in the back.
The lining was created from black swirling brocade to coordinate with the hat.
The finished “Game On Dude” design measures approximately 24 inches end to end.
As a physical remembrance of Game On Dude, 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 Game On Dude not only in spirit but in substance as well. The purpose of this amazing millinery delight is to honor the life of Game On Dude 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, Game On
Dude!
__________________________________________________________________________ The “Game On Dude” chapeau is up for bid from December 1st through the 11th. To read more about Game On Dude, 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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