A Shin Forward and Acacia Clement (Samantha Decker Photo)
GEORGETOWN, Ky. – February 2, 2026 – For the fourteenth year MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® of Cape Cod and Old Friends in Kentucky and New York are teaming up 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.
Our February hat offered at auction in the 2026 “Hats Off” fundraiser honors Group 1 winner and New York-bred multimillionaire, A Shin Forward, who resides at Old Friends at Cabin Creek. His hat can be bid on here.
THE STORY OF A SHIN FORWARD
Bred by Vivien Malloy of Edition Farm, Japanese agent Hirotsugu Hirai purchased A Shin Forward as a 2-year-old at the 2007 Fasig Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training sale in Florida.
Shipped to Japan, Eishindo Co. Ltd. raced the colt with trainer Masato Nishizono. The stallion won races such as the Mile Championship (G1) and Hankyu Hai (G3) during a five year racing career. He retired in 2011 with earnings totaling $3,416,216, making him the second highest all-time earning New York-bred.
Following his racing career, A Shin Forward kicked off his stud career in Japan. After five years standing at Lex Stud in Japan, “Shin” relocated to Rockridge Stud in his home state of New York in 2018. In a full circle moment, Malloy’s Edition Farm was the breeder of his first United States-born foal.
A SHIN FORWARD RETIRES TO OLD FRIENDS AT CABIN CREEK
At the conclusion of the 2023 breeding season, A Shin Forward was pensioned with Malloy sending him to Old Friends at Cabin Creek.
In a New York Thoroughbred Breeders Association story written by Tom Law on July 3, 2023, Malloy stated the following. “I couldn’t be more excited for him to go to Old Friends at Cabin Creek. I love that place. The people are great, JoAnn and Mark (Pepper). I always thought if I brought him back I’d like him there and not in Kentucky, where I wouldn’t see him very much. It’s great that they have tours during Saratoga and hopefully he’ll be there by that time.”
Nearly three years after his arrival at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Director JoAnn Pepper is a big fan of her resident.
“Shin is so beautiful and thoughtful. His career is outstanding. He gets a bit nervous at times but is very trusting. His favorite things are alfalfa and Himalayan salt licks. I love having him here and I think he likes it too. Shin has a neighbor that he cares about, his name is Valiant Crusader (“Cru”), a stallion. They do communicate and seem to be good friends,” Pepper said.
AUCTION DETAILS
The “A Shin Forward” auction hat is now up for bid on eBay. Please bid on as many hats as you like. All proceeds go to the retired racehorses at Old Friends. Bidding ends February 11th at 8 PM EST.
For more information about the eBay bidding, contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775.
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 learn more about how A Shin Forward’s hat was created by Sally Faith Steinmann, please click here.
To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on “Hats Off – A Retrospective”.
Thank you for supporting Old Friends!
