Online Fashion Auction Honors Geri, Benefits Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility
Image:
Description:
Photo courtesy of EquiSport
Edited Press Release
GEORGETOWN, KY - MARCH 30, 2014 - Jockey Rosie Napravnik has again changed hats by modeling the "Geri," the final designer Derby hat up for bid in this seasons "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby," online auction.
The annual 6-month auction, sponsored by Maggie Mae Designs, supports the horses of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement.One of the most successful female jockeys in horse racing, Napravnik is an avid Old Friends supporter and a member of its board of directors.
"I am a big fan of Old Friends and its mission," says Napravnik. "I always keep in mind that a horse may win a Breeders' Cup race this year but next year they may need a place to reside in retirement." The "Geri," is another handcrafted design influenced by one of the retired Thoroughbreds at Old Friends. Geri, now a permanent resident at the farm, is a Kentucky-bred multiple graded stakes winner. The 22-year-old chestnut stallion was returned from Europe to retire to Old Friends in August 2013, becoming the sixth North American-bred stallion repatriated from stud duty overseas to retire at Old Friends.This is the fifth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs to auction six handcrafted Kentucky Derby hats, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization's 125 retired racehorses. To date, this unique fundraiser has earned over $20,000 for Old Friends.Bidding on "The Geri" runs April 1 through April 11. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.
NAPRAVNIK PHOTOSHOOT VIDEO
Rosie & Geri from Wendy Wooley on Vimeo.
About Geri:Multiple graded stakes winner Geri, a millionaire and international stallion was returned from overseas last year to retire at Old Friends. Raced as a homebred by Allen E. Paulson and trained by Bill Mott, Geri had career earnings of $1,707,980. He entered stud at the Paulsons' Brookside Farms in Kentucky. Geri also stood in Japan, Hill 'n' Dale in Kentucky, and in Italy. His progeny include American multiple stakes winning mare Bedanken, Japanese millionaire Lucky Break, and graded stakes steeplechaser Party Airs. Several of his old rivals are also at Old Friends, as he competed against Tinners Way, Will's Way, and Flick, as well as Awad (1993-2010). He also joins his son A. P. Slew, a retiree since 2008.About the Hat:The hat by Maggie Mae Designs® features a unique blend of colors and textures that showcases Geri's chestnut coloring along with the Paulson racing silk colors of red, white and blue. The design was fashioned out of a white dupioni silk with a rich red dupioni silk underbrim that creates a vibrant, colorful effect when the wearer's face is upturned . A large Marguerite flower adorns the front of the hat, created out of red silk organza for the petals and navy blue silk organza for the rose curl center. A layered sash, created out of deep green shantung, navy satin, red and chocolate taffeta encircles the crown of the hat along with swirling layers of alternating chocolate brown and red tulle.President and Founder of Old Friends, Michael Blowen states, "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."The photo is by Equisport Photos and Napravnik's ensembles are courtesy of the Lexington boutique Bella Rose. Bidding on "The Geri" runs April 1st-11th. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.For additional information about Maggie Mae Designs® go the website at http://www.maggiemae.com/derby.htm or contact them at info@maggiemae.com . For more information about Old Friends see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 120 retired racehorses. It's Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, N.Y., Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.