Get to Know Rent the Races: Hats for Less

Catherine Ladd Kenneally grew up in Lexington, Ky. surrounded by horse country.  She is married to trainer Eddie Kenneally and works at her family's art gallery, Cross Gate Gallery.
Catherine and her two business partners, Katie Ryan and Mary Catherine White, have just launched Rent the Races, a hat and fascinator rental company for stylish racegoers. Their goal is to make high fashion fascinators and hats accessible and affordable for everyone.   Their website, www.renttheraces.com, has over 60 beautiful pieces to choose from.  
Rent the Races has also incorporated a "give back" program, where the customer chooses between three charities for a portion of their rental price to be donated.  The Bluegrass Conservancy, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund are all charities they hold near and dear and are thrilled to be supporting them through fashion!

Can you tell us a little bit about Rent the Races?
Rent the Races is a hat and fascinator rental company recently started by three ladies involved in Thoroughbred racing. Our goal is to promote racing fashion through retail rental. We have a wide variety of high fashion hats and fascinators available for rental on our website www.renttheraces.com. Our inventory represents some of the top milliners around the world, offering something for everyone!
How did the idea for Rent the Races come to you?
The idea really came to each of us separately and we combined forces!  For me personally, it was while trying to prepare for a trip to the Dubai World Cup. At the time, we were living in Florida and I really wanted the perfect fascinator but didn’t have access to any without purchasing online and spending a small fortune. My mother-in-law was over from Ireland and couldn’t believe there wasn’t a rental company in the U.S. like there are in Europe and she really pushed me to start one. Being super busy as a mother of two babies and the wife of a trainer, it would have probably never happened on my end if I hadn’t partnered up with Katie and Mary Catherine. Katie is married to bloodstock agent Tom Ryan, and often goes racing internationally so she is really on top of fascinator trends abroad. Mary Catherine works for Mt. Brilliant Farm and is very involved in not only racing, but polo as well; so we are hoping the trend crosses over to polo!  
What makes Rent the Races perfect for young racing fans?
Rent the Races gives young racing fans an opportunity to dress in the finest hats and fascinators from top milliners without breaking the bank. It makes these beautiful pieces easily accessible to everyone. Part of the fun of racing is getting dressed up and now it’s affordable!
Is it normal to wear a hat to races that aren’t the Kentucky Derby?
Wearing hats and fascinators racing any day at the track, not just the big race days, is the norm in Europe and Australia. It just makes it more fun and beautiful! So if they do it in England and Australia, why not here?
ONE OF THE HATS AVAILABLE ON RENT THE RACES

What’s the best way to find the perfect hat for the races?
We think sometimes you should pick the hat or fascinator first and then find a dress!  Pick something that matches your mood and personal style. We have more conservative pieces as well as some avant-garde pieces that are really fun!
Tell us a little about the hats available on the site.
We have beautiful bright straw hats for spring and summer with elegant feather and jewel details and rich colored felt hats perfect for fall and winter. We also offer large and small fascinators with ornate details from feathers to sequins. All of our pieces are handmade featuring designers Carol Kennelly, Rachel Black, Edel Ramburg, Sophie Hunter, Lisa Carey, Louise Green, Karen Morris, Marilyn Van Den Berg and Lucy Gilmore Murphy.
Are you a bigger fan of hats or fascinators for a day at the track?
I love hats but my partners both prefer fascinators!
What are some other events where you’d wear a hat, aside from the races?
We are seeing fascinator trends at weddings, which has always been the trend in Europe.  Also, hats and fascinators are perfect for steeplechase racing and polo!

Now for some rapid-fire questions! Some short but sweet queries below.
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing:
I grew up coming to Keeneland with my grandparents every weekend, but wouldn’t have known a $10,000 claimer from a Grade 1.  I married into Thoroughbred racing in 2009 and it has been my obsession ever since.  Being married to a trainer means you better love it if you ever want to see your husband!
My favorite racetrack:
It's a Keeneland/Saratoga dead heat!
My favorite Thoroughbred racing event:
Breeders' Cup
Other sports/teams I follow: 
University of Kentucky basketball, of course, and I’m proud to say UK football too!
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing:
Young fans!  
What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing:
Dishonesty.
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me:
Excitement, dedication, family

Favorite all-time Thoroughbred:
There are A LOT.  My favorite race is the 2013 Brooklyn Handicap, where Calidoscopio made up 30 lengths in the last quarter of the race ... as a 10-year-old!
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing:
We purchased a filly out of a field in Washington that was a half to Custom For Carlos.  We named her after my grandmother, “Mimi’s Bling.” We were lucky enough to have a lot of my family in town when she won the Buffalo Trace at Keeneland at 47-1.  Mimi was there to enjoy it and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much joy.  It felt like we won the Breeders' Cup Classic that day :)
Best racetrack food can be found at:
Saratoga obviously…. Shake Shack five days a week :)
My favorite jockey: 
This is a tough one because I really have a lot of favorites in Kentucky, New York and Florida.  But I think I have to go with the Kentucky jocks who have been our “go to’s” for years … Julien Leparoux and Corey Lanerie.  Both great riders and people.
My favorite trainer:
Well, I’m partial towards Eddie Kenneally with David Carroll, Brendan Walsh, Andrew Bull McKeever and Lord Thomas Morley close seconds.  Did I mention Elizabeth Voss?
My heroes:
My parents. Their lives' purpose is their family. Perfect role models.
Person in Thoroughbred racing I’d like to have dinner with:
Gai Waterhouse 
Philosophy on life:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.  Family first, always.  Constant gratitude.  
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended:
There have been so many incredible UK basketball games.  Maybe the UK/UNC game in 2011.  Cats by 1.
Best book I recently read:
“Making the Terrible Twos Terrific” … I’m not kidding.  If it isn’t about child rearing, I’m not hip to it at the moment :)

Favorite quote or motto: 
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"  - Maya Angelou
Favorite animal other than a horse:
Our Golden Retriever, Cassius Ladd-Kenneally
Favorite food: 
Chicken tikka masala
Favorite vacation spot: 
I don't know any that don't involve a racetrack
Favorite city: 
Florence, Italy 
Favorite tech gadget: 
iPhone (boring, I know)

Twitter handle: 
@renttheraces
People I follow on Twitter: 
Anyone and everyone racing and Coach Calipari
No. 1 bucket-list item: 
Win the Kentucky Derby!