Welcome to “Hats Off to the Horses” ~ we have some exciting news to share with you!
In 2026, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® and Old Friends are bringing back their Derby hat fundraising collaboration, “Hats Off to the Horses”: The Road to the Derby”!
What is Old Friends?
Old Friends was founded by former Boston Globe film critic, Michael Blowen in 2003. Michael had a dream of providing a place of safe retirement for Thoroughbred racehorses after their racing/breeding careers are over. In a 2007 CBS interview someone asked him why he wanted to help Thoroughbred racehorses and not some other worthy cause. Michael replied, “Everyone has a little spot in the world. One tiny little dot. This is my dot.”
And Michael’s dream came true! Today Old Friends is now a “living-history museum of horse racing” – a 236-acre farm with three satellite locations and a herd of over 255 retired former racehorses and breeding stallions. To read the whole story of how Old Friends came about, please visit the Who We Are page from the Old Friends website. There is also a wonderful 2023 article written by Tom Pedulla for America’s Best Racing, Old Friends Farm a Decades-Long Journey for Michael Blowen.”
At the close of 2023, the 20th anniversary of Old Friends, Founder Michael Blowen stepped down as president of the organization. John Nicholson, a long time friend of Michael’s is now the president and CEO of Old Friends.
MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® Sponsors “Hats Off to the Horses” of Old Friends
In 2009 Sally asked Michael Blowen if he would be interested in a Derby hat auction to help raise funds for their retirees. As she stated, “By helping Michael with his dream, we are hoping to connect all of our dots by bringing the worlds of hat couture and equine aftercare together. Instead of two isolated dots, we can work together to help the horses we all love.”
And for 13 consecutive years, the “Hats Off” auction series raised funds for the retired racehorses of Old Friends with an annual online Derby hat event. Over the course of 13 consecutive years, Sally created nearly 70 one-of-a-kind Derby hats honoring the Old Friends retirees. And together she and Old Friends raised more than $46,000 for the retirees of Dream Chase Farm and Cabin Creek!
Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends once stated, “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. Their stunning beauty and indescribable originality symbolize what one great artist can do to positively alter the lives of so many deserving athletes.”
Welcome BACK to “Hats Off to the Horses”!
So starting January1, 2026, “Hats Off to the Horses” is back!
As before, the fundraiser will run for four months, January through April. Each month Sally will create and donate four custom Derby hats. These one-of-a-kind chapeaux will honor four Old Friends retirees that will go up for auction on the 1st of each month. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the horses of Old Friends.
Talk about the perfect way to win a fabulous one-of-a-kind Derby hat AND support Old Friends!
And in the meantime….
While we wait for the 2026 “Hats Off” to begin, please visit the new “Hats Off” – A Retrospective page created to showcase all of the auctions from 2009 through 2022.
To learn more about Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm and offer your support, please visit the Old Friends website or call them at 502-863-1775.
And be sure to watch this space for updates on our “Hats Off to the Horses” 2026 fundraiser for Old Friends!