FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Claire Novak, The Hopeful Farm Foundation
(847) 613-5715 or info@hopefulfarm.org
ORIGINAL PORTRAIT OF ECLIPSE AWARD WINNER BLAME TO BENEFIT KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Artist Rickelle Nelson donates piece autographed by jockey Gomez and trainer Stall to charity
LEXINGTON, KY (April 12, 2011) – Equine artist Rickelle Nelson has donated an original portrait of Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame to benefit The Hopeful Farm Foundation, it was announced today.
The Hopeful Farm Foundation, a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) founded by turf writer Claire Novak, is working to build a retreat center in or around the Lexington area for families who have children with special needs. The portrait, a 14" x 17" Prismacolor likeness of the Eclipse Award-winning son of Arch, is the first fundraising item that has been donated to the foundation. Valued at $2,000, it will be raffled off to a lucky winner for $10 per chance or three chances for $25. It is signed by the artist and autographed by jockey Garrett Gomez and trainer Al Stall Jr.
Raffle tickets may be purchased online at http://www.hopefulfarm.org, in person at the trunk show or Derby party, or by emailing info@hopefulfarm.org. Winner need not be present to win, and will be notified after the drawing.
"I'm very thankful to Bernie Sams and Claiborne Farm for allowing me to paint this portrait of Blame, especially to benefit a cause that is so needed," Nelson said. "When you're passionate about a horse and a cause and you combine the two, it can't lead to anything but success."
The portrait will be displayed April 15-16 at a trunk show of Kentucky Derby hats hosted by Carol Bader Design at the Hilton Lexington Green (for times and details, contact info@delmarhat.com). The portrait will then be displayed in Louisville, where the lucky winner will be drawn on Kentucky Derby night, May 7, at the Galt House Hotel during the inaugural Night of Silk Derby Party to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. A portion of the proceeds from raffle tickets sold will be donated to the PDJF.
"I'm extremely grateful to Rickelle Nelson for supporting our non-profit by donating this beautiful portrait of Blame, and to Carol Bader for giving us the initial chance to display it," said Claire Novak, founder of The Hopeful Farm Foundation. "I also thank Blame's connections and the connections at The Galt House and PDJF for their support. I look forward to presenting this one-of-a-kind piece of artwork to the winner of our raffle!"
About the Hopeful Farm Foundation
The Hopeful Farm Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by turf writer Claire Novak in Kentucky in 2008 to support and strengthen families impacted by special needs – enhancing the quality of life for individuals with special needs and offering rejuvenation and resources to those who love and care for them. The Foundation is working to provide an all-access retreat center where families impacted by special needs may find time to focus on each other, build relationships, and gain refreshment and renewal in an escape from the exhausting grind of everyday life. To learn more, visit http://www.hopefulfarm.org or view our Facebook page.
About Rickelle Nelson
Rickelle Nelson is an established artist who specializes in equine racing, conformation, and portrait painting. She is best known for capturing the true essence and personality of her equine subjects, such as 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup winners Unbridled and Street Sense, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame, and Grade I winners Student Council, Harlan's Holiday, and Lava Man. Rickelle has also won awards in International Art Competitions, most recently Ex Arte Equinus 4. Her work can be seen at South Hill Gallery, located at 1401 Versailles Road in Lexington, KY, or by visiting her website or Facebook page.
About Carol Bader Design
Carol Bader is an internationally-recognized award-winning hat designer and owner of Del Mar Hat Co. Her couture designs have appeared on celebrities, in magazines, on runways, and most especially on her "racing royalty" and fans. A lifelong equestrian who also studied and worked for her thoroughbred training license, Carol is no stranger to the racing world. Inspired by her lifelong passion for the horse, her designs all carry her signature look – grace, femininity, movement – with a brilliant range of colors from those as vibrant as racing silks to clean and classic tonals. Now based in California, Carol once lived in Europe where she designed and developed many of her sources and vision. You can view her work by visiting her website or Facebook page.
About the Night of Silk and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
The inaugural Night of Silk Derby Party is the first-ever Kentucky Derby party exclusively hosted and produced by the Galt House Hotel. Slated to begin at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 once the festivities at the track have concluded, Night of Silk will feature retired and active jockeys, including all jockeys from the Kentucky Derby field. The event benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to some 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since it was founded in 2006, the Fund has disbursed over $2.5 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or brain injuries. For additional information on the Night of Silk Derby Party, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.GaltHouse.com or call (800) 843-4258.
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