For the fourteenth year MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® of Cape Cod and Old Friends in Kentucky and New York are teaming up again in 2026 for “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”!
“Hats Off” is an unparalleled Derby hat fundraising experience sponsored by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® Custom Millinery. This auction series features four one-of-a-kind Derby hats created to benefit the retired racehorses of Old Friends. All proceeds from the sale of the hats go to Old Friends. To learn more about this exciting online fundraiser, please click on “About Hats Off to the Horses”.
Our April auction hat for the “Hats Off” fundraiser is now underway with a very special chapeau that honors 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown. To place a bid on the “Big Brown” hat, please click on this eBay link.
The Story of Big Brown
Owned by IEAH Stables, Pompa, Jr., P., Tolchin, G., Cohen, A. and Pegasus Holdings Group and bred by Monticule Farms, Big Brown was by Boundary out of Mien (Nureyev). Trained by Richard E. Dutrow, Jr., the bay Kentucky-bred won the Florida Derby with ease. Big Brown then dazzled the world when he captured the 2008 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, the first two jewels of the Triple Crown. Big Brown had a loose shoe in the Belmont and did not claim the Triple Crown. Following the Triple Crown road, Big Brown scored wins in the Haskell Invitational S.(G1) and Monmouth Stakes, securing him the year’s Champion 3-Year-Old Colt honors. Retired in October 2008 due to a hind hoof injury, Big Brown had a successful stud career. Starting in 2009 he stood at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, Australia and Dutchess Views Farm in New York.
Big Brown Retires to Old Friends in Kentucky
In 2024 Big Brown’s connections retired him to Old Friends. This was the fifth horse retiring to Dream Chase Farm who had captured the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness! On September 30, president and CEO of Old Friends John stated, “We are excited beyond measure to welcome Big Brown as an honored member of the Old Friends family.”
When Michael Blowen, Founder Old Friends shared his impressions of Big Brown” he stated, “Big Brown was the fastest Thoroughbred Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux ever rode and this beautiful headdress is just as hot. Big Brown delivers… again.”
From the Milliner’s Studio – The Making of the “Big Brown” Hat
Sally Faith Steinmann of MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® was committed to creating a very special hat to honor Big Brown. She went online to learn more about his story. “To inspire me I watched videos of his races and read articles about his career as a racehorse as I created this one-of-a-kind Derby hat just for him. During his Triple Crown run, I had been asked to create hats for one of the owners’ wives for the races. One of those hats made it to the Derby winner’s circle which was such a thrill!”
Next, Sally made a quick sketch of the hat that she was envisioning for Big Brown.
Steinmann chose all-silk fabrics for the hat foundation, the lining and the trims – and the creative process was soon underway!
Sally felt that a wide-brimmed Derby hat design would best showcase Big Brown’s bay coat and his IEAH racing silk colors of red, white and blue.
First, she fashioned a wide brim design out of white dupioni silk. She took white silk organza and created double organza ruffle layers that she topstitched with a “running horse pattern” of black and brown threads.
Next, Sally cut and braided strips of white and brown dupioni silk. She then stitched the braid to the brim edge for an innovative accent.
To showcase IEAH’s stable colors in the creation of the floral trim centerpiece, Sally used yards of red silk organza to create a delicate, oversized Derby rose with curling edges.
To reflect the distinctive blue stars in the IEAH racing silks, Sally handcrafted a beaded medley of “shooting stars” using several shades of blue seed beads and twinkling Swarovsky crystals.
Sally then sewed chocolate silk organza leaves and topstitched them to frame the flower.
A large medley of black silk organza “feathers” of varying lengths were added to create a feeling of movement.
Sprays of mocha brown hat veiling brought a kind of wispy background element to complete the trim presentation.
Using black thread, Sally stitched a sash in deep “bay” chocolate brown that she topstitched with a gently rolling pattern to encircle the crown.
To honor Big Brown’s Derby and Preakness wins Sally handstitched two matching round chocolate buttons to the back seam.
To echo the rose trim pattern on the front of the hat, Sally crafted three smaller red silk organza roses. She then made tiny chocolate silk organza leaves to frame the rose and handstitched this unique trim to the back of the hat.
Finally, Sally stitched a black dupioni silk lining the “Big Brown” hat to coordinate with the entire chapeau design.
A Braided Horsehair Heart for Big Brown
As a physical remembrance of Big Brown, Sally gathered strands of his tail hair sent to her by Old Friends. She then braided them into a heart that she wove into the trim of the hat. This unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau now captures Big Brown both in spirit and in substance.
The Big Brown chapeau is stunning from every angle and measures approximately 24 and 1/2 inches end to end!
The Photo Shoot at Old Friends
In mid-October, the completed hat shipped to Old Friends farm in Kentucky for a photo shoot with two of horse racing’s rising stars, Andie Biancone and Keith Asmussen. Andie Biancone, the daughter of well-known trainer, Patrick Biancone is a reporter/racing analyst at FanDuel Racing. Keith Asmussen, son of Hall of Fame trainer, Steve Asmussen, is a well known graded stakes-winning jockey. The couple modeled the hat beautifully! “Hats Off” is grateful to these new team members who are dedicated to the welfare of our retired Thoroughbred athletes.
Also, a special thank you to photographer, Carson Blevins of Low Country Lens for her stunning images of the photo shoot…
… and to Old Friends volunteer and photographer, Laura Battles for her beautiful photos of Big Brown.
Thank you as well to all of the Old Friends volunteers who made this photo shoot possible. It takes a village!
To learn more about Big Brown, the horse, please visit the Old Friends webpage about his arrival at Old Friends.
Auction Details
The “Big Brown” auction hat is now for bid. To place a bid on the “Big Brown” hat, please click on this eBay link. Bidding ends April 11th at 8 PM EST.
Please feel free to bid on as many hats as you like during this running auction. All of the proceeds go to the retired racehorses of Old Friends.
For more information about the eBay bidding, contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775.
For more information about the “Big Brown” chapeau, contact MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® custom milliner, Sally Faith Steinmann at 774-316-4977 or sally@maggiemae.com!
Freight charges (including insurance) will be at the expense of the winning bidder. Winning bidders, please allow two to three weeks for delivery of your hat to allow time for proper sizing.
To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on “Hats Off – A Retrospective”.
Thank you for supporting Old Friends!