by Barbara Newtown.
Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farms held an auction of racing memorabilia, fine art, and exclusive tours at 3 PM on September 10th, 2017, in the Kentucky Room of the Fasig-Tipton pavilion, 2400 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky. It was open to all fans of Thoroughbred racing. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were available. This event served as a prelude to the Fasig-Tipton Turf Showcase.
All proceeds benefit the Old Friends retirement farms in Georgetown, Kentucky; Greenfield Center, New York; and Franklin, Kentucky. If you couldn’t make it to the auction, consider making a donation to Old Friends: http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/how-to-help.html
Auction items included:
The Ultimate Horse Farm Tour (value $1,000+): 8 guests will tour five horse farms, including Old Friends. Meet famous Thoroughbreds! Box lunch provided.
Derby Experience with Chris McCarron (value $5,000+): 4 guests will hang out with Chris, a Hall of Fame jockey, on Derby day. Meet the horses, visit the jockeys’ room, get autographs and take selfies, and then sit with Chris for the big race. Be part of the In Crowd!
Win and You’re In to Old Friends (value $30,000 – $50,000): Lifelong retirement at Old Friends for a Thoroughbred with a racing or breeding record. You choose the lucky recipient.
1985 Historic Chevy C10 Silverado (value $15,500, according to NADA Classic Car estimate): Short-bed, cherry red, 350 cu. V8 engine, 97,780 miles, nice!
Old Friends Halter Collection (value $2,500): A shadowbox of halters worn by three Kentucky Derby/Preakness winners who reside at Old Friends: Silver Charm, War Emblem, and Charismatic. Certificate of authenticity.
American Pharoah Collection (value $5,000): Deluxe shadowbox of halters worn by American Pharoah, his sire Pioneerof the Nile, and his dam Littleprincessemma, including a signed and framed photo by Barbara Livingston of American Pharoah winning the Belmont. Certificate of authenticity.
And beautiful examples of fine art:
Raku Horsehair Pot (value $250): Handmade pot that incorporates horse hair from three Kentucky Derby champions who have retired to Old Friends: Silver Charm, Charismatic, and War Emblem. Certificate of authenticity.
Oil on Metal by Fred Krakowiak (value $3,500): 24″ x 36″ original oil portrait of Silver Charm and Touch Gold. The painting’s vibrant color and sense of movement captures the essence of the Thoroughbred.
Custom Horse Portrait by Dagmar Galleithner-Steiner (value $11,000): Size: about 19″ x 25″. And you get to have dinner with the artist, her husband retired jockey Joe Steiner, Old Friends Board of Directors member Diane White, and Old Friends Founder and President Michael Blowen. This portrait of California Chrome is an example of Galleithner-Steiner’s beautiful and meticulous work:
[images property of www.oldfriendsequine.org, Fred Krakowiak, and Dagmar Galleithner-Steiner]
