Napravnik models ‘The Patton’ for Old Friends auction

Napravnik showcases the next offering in the “Hats off to the Horses” fundraiser (EquiSport Photos) This fall jockey Rosie Napravnik has taken off her helmet and donned one-of-a-kind Kentucky Derby chapeaus to support the fifth annual “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby,” an online hat auction that raises money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Central Kentucky. Napravnik, an avid Old Friends supporter and member of its board of directors, kicked off the fifth annual auction in November by modeling a stunning hat inspired by Old Friends retiree Sean Avery, a Grade 1-winning sprinter. The fashion auction continues December 1 with Napravnik showing “The Patton,” another handcrafted design influenced by one of the retired Thoroughbreds at Old Friends. Patton impressively won his track debut as a two-year-old before going on to take the William Thompson Stakes and Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Conditioned by Hubert Hine, the dark bay son of Lord at War captured six of his 18 career starts with track earnings totaling $237,462. Made of a moody blue-green dupioni silk, the “Patton” features a gentle upturned brim with a moderate “top hat” crown. A single large flower made of swirling layers of plum, blue and lavender silk, taffeta and organza adorns the hat while a layered sash of crinkled mocha encircles the crown. The lining was created from soft turquoise-blue metallic taffetta to coordinate with the trims.

Bidding on “The Patton” will begin at 10 a.m. (EST) and be open for
10 days only. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at
oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

“I am a big fan of Old Friends and its mission,” Napravnik said. “I always keep in mind that a horse may be win a Breeders’ Cup race
this year but next year they may need a place to reside in retirement.”

The photos for this “Hats Off to the Horses” campaign are by Equisport Photos
and Napravnik’s ensembles are courtesy of the Lexington boutique Bella Rose.

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 120 retired racehorses. One hat
will be auctioned each month leading up to the 2014 running of the Kentucky
Derby.

To date, this unique fundraiser has earned nearly $18,000
for Old Friends.

For a video of Napravnik’s photo shoots please click
here.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that
cares for more than 120 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located near Georgetown, Kentucky, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a
satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, 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
oldfriendsequine.org.

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