Napravnik models final Old Friends Derby hat ‘Geri’

Rosie Napravnik stands with her hat’s namesake Geri (EquiSport Photos)

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 six 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,” Napravnik stated. “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 Grade 1
winner. Raced as a homebred by Allen E. Paulson and trained by Bill Mott, the
chestnut had career earnings of $1,707,980 and entered stud at the Paulsons’
Brookside Farms in Kentucky. Geri also stood in Japan, Hill ‘n’ Dale in Kentucky
and in Italy. 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.

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.

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.