'The Commentator'
Second Exclusive Couture ‘Derby Hat’ to be Offered
in One-of-a-Kind Online Charity Auction beginning December 1st

Commentator Hat - Available for bidding on Dec. 1, 2009

"Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby," an online charity auction produced by Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Central Kentucky, and custom millinery Maggie Mae Designs®, continues on December 1st with another stunning handcrafted ‘Kentucky Derby Hat' hitting the block. On December 1st, 2009 Old Friends will open bidding on "The Commentator," a beautiful chapeau honoring the two-time Whitney Handicap-winning star recently donated to Old Friends by owners Tracy and Carol Farmer.  Bidding will be conducted for 10 days only.

This is the second of six unique creations by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® that will be auctioned. Each of the six Steinmann pieces will be inspired by one of the pensioned racehorses at Old Friends's Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, KY.   "Hats off to the Horses" will offer a new creation for bid each month, with all of the high-fashion action leading up to the most exciting two minutes in sports. Ms Steinmann is donating each hat, and 100 percent of the online proceeds will go to Old Friends, the 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.   This unparalleled online shopping experience began on November 1st with "The Black Tie Affair," a hat commemorating the Breeders' Cup Classic winner and 1991 Horse of the Year. The Black Tie Affair was auctioned for over $700 to winning bidder Mr. Bruce Dutton of Alabama.   "After choosing Black Tie Affair to launch "Hats Off to the Horses," I went over and over and over in my mind about which horse to choose for the next hat," said Steinmann. "I wanted this selection to feel as right as it did for Black Tie Affair. "Then, I heard the news of Commentator's arrival.  And suddenly there were no more questions-only this surge of creative ideas for the next hat." Campaigned for six seasons by the Farmers and Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, Commentator ended his career in August 2009 having won 14 of 24 starts and a bankroll of well over  $2 million. In addition to double victories in the GR 1Whitney at Saratoga, he captured the GR 2 Richter Scale and the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap, which he won by a remarkable 14 lengths. The 8-year-old gelding arrived at Old Friends on Oct. 4. This elegant new design stunningly reflects the qualities of the athlete. To symbolize Commentator's chestnut coat, Steinmann chose a rich cinnamon dupioni silk as her base. To convey his muscular build, she added a sturdy, upturned brim that is a dramatic 22 inches across. This beautiful hat is adorned with what Steinmann calls her exclusive ‘Dozen Roses' design: twelve hand-rolled red silk organza and chiffon rose curls nestled into a soft bed of black silk organza leaves. Wispy red tulle sprays accent the luscious bouquet and add a touch of ‘Derby' magic. Trims of black silk with white rhinestone diamonds add the finishing touch and reflect the design and colors of the Farmer's racing silks. Similar custom-crafted hats have sold for well over $1000.  Commentator by Matt Wooley     equisportphotos.com   The Commentator will be up for bidding beginning Dec. 1; the auction will last 10 days. To view the hat and to read more about Maggie Mae Designs®, go to www.maggiemaedesigns.com.   Steinmann has been making hats for Derby and many other racing events since 1998. Her designs were seen in the winner's circle in 2008 when Big Brown captured the Run for the Roses. Her life-long love affair with horses has inspired her to create this matchless collection of Derby Hats to benefit Old Friends.   "For me, it's such a privilege to be creating these hats for these athletes," Steinmann said, "but it's also been hard to select just one at a time from the glorious array of choices at Old Friends."      The third hat in the series will be available January 1st, but Steinmann declines to say which horse will be so honored. "I think I need to approach each month of our auction this way," said Steinmann, "let things happen as they will and let the horses speak to me. I've always been such a believer that if you put your passion and your heart first, you will find your way."    The Commentator hat will be up for bidding for ONLY ten days beginning December 1, 2009. Interested bidders can see the hats for sale and learn more about Steinmann by visiting www.maggiemaedesigns.com.   To bid go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and click on the eBay-store link.  Each month's hat will be available for bidding on the first day of every month through April 2010.