Horse Racing
Kentucky Derby Hat Auction Benefiting Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Continues With ‘The Will’s Way.’
By
Feb 9, 2010, 08:21

"Hats off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online auction of couture Kentucky Derby hats, continues tonight with the fourth of seven hats on the block to benefit Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

Old Friends has now open bidding on yet another stunning chapeau by Cape Cod milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of Maggie Mae Designs®. Multiple-stakes winner Will's Way, who has been retired at Old Friends since 2007, inspired this latest, one-of-a-kind, hat.



Steinmann has donated each of the hats in the auctions, which launched in November 2009 and will conclude with a final hat on the block April 1, 2010, just in time for the First Saturday in May.



Bidding on the Will’s Way will be open until Feb 11.



“The Will’s Way” is a beautiful, wide-brim hat made of rich chocolate dupioni silk. The base is layered with more than eight yards of black, espresso, and chocolate tulle. Each tier is carefully arranged in graduating dark to light tones, resulting in stunning drama when seen from any angle.



An innovative sash of royal blue, white, and black satins recalls Will’s racing colors, and two luxurious silk peonies represent his famous triumphs in the 1996 Travers Stakes and the 1997 Whitney Handicap. The center of each flower is filled with a single hand-rolled rose curl cradled in a wispy layer of delicate blue tulle to reflect one of Will’s most distinctive physical markings: his lovely white star.



Any hat for Will’s Way would not be complete without honoring his sire, Hall of Fame champion Easy Goer. And so a red-satin lining was added to the inside of the chapeau. An integral part of the foundation, the lining signifies that Will was indeed born with the heart of a true champion.



Steinmann, who owns the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs®, is donating seven magnificent millinery creations to raise funds for Old Friends, the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is home to nearly 90 retired racehorses. Each hat is inspired by one of the retirees at Old Friends and will be auctioned monthly with 100 percent of the online proceeds going to Old Friends.



This unparalleled online shopping experience began in November with “The Black Tie Affair,” a hat commemorating the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 1991 Horse of the Year. It was followed in December by “The Commentator,” a chapeau for the two-time Whitney Handicap winner. January’s entry commemorated Florida Derby winner Bull inthe Heather. The auction series has so far raised over $2,000 for Old Friends.



To view the hats and to read more about Maggie Mae Designs® go towww.maggiemaedesigns.com. To bid on the “Will’s Way,” go to www.oldfriendsequine.organd follow the link. Bidding will be open until the evening of February 11.



For additional information contact Cynthia Grisolia at cagrisolia@yahoo.com (347-423-7322) or Maggie Mae Designs® at info@maggiemae.com (508-430-1626).



For additional information about Old Friends or any of its retired champions, see the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call (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 and unique 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 been seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com



Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is home to nearly 90 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. For more information on tours, reservations at the Old Friends B&B, or to make a donation, contact the farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website atwww.oldfriendsequine.org.



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