Thoroughbred enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to own a piece of horse racing history. In fact, they have three chances: blankets worn by Justify (2018 Triple Crown), American Pharoah (2015 Triple Crown), and Epicenter (2022 Kentucky Derby favorite and 2022 champion 3-year-old male) are up for auction online.
“There haven't been many opportunities ever before to acquire the actual blankets worn by celebrity Thoroughbreds,” said Melynda Jamison, executive director of CASA of Lexington, the nonprofit auctioning the blankets. “We are excited to have these unique items in our auction! Whoever wins them will also be supporting brighter futures for abused children in the heart of horse country.”
The blankets are being auctioned individually as part of CASA of Lexington's annual “Bourbon and the Bayou” silent auction. The auction regularly features one-of-a-kind items from the horse racing industry that cannot be found anywhere else. Bidding is open now at this link; bidding closes at 9:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 24.
Justify was the 13th horse to win the Triple Crown and only the second ever to do so with an undefeated record. His ancestors include Seattle Slew, Secretariat and War Admiral.
American Pharoah was the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown. The horse also won the 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic, and is the first horse to win the “grand slam” of Thoroughbred racing.
Epicenter is a retired champion American Thoroughbred who won the 2022 Risen Star, 2022 Louisiana Derby, 2022 Jim Dandy and 2022 Travers Stakes. He also finished second as the favorite in both the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Justify's blanket is item no. 432; Epicenter's is item no. 433; and American Pharoah's is item no. 434. All three blankets were donated by Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., the base of U.S. operations for Coolmore America.
All proceeds from the auction go to CASA of Lexington, which provides advocacy for abused and neglected children in the family court systems of seven Central Kentucky counties.
“Horse farms around central Kentucky have really put great efforts into supporting our mission of ensuring every child has a safe, permanent home,” Jamison said. “We would not have nearly the impact we do for children without their support.”
CASA of Lexington's Bourbon and the Bayou silent auction is live here and bidding is open until 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.
To view each horse blanket's item page visit the following links:
Justify Blanket: https://bit.ly/bandb2023-justify
Epicenter Blanket: https://bit.ly/bandb2023-epicenter
American Pharoah Blanket: https://bit.ly/bandb2023-americanpharoah
CASA of Lexington's trained and supervised volunteers advocate through the family court systems in Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott, and Woodford counties to ensure all victims of child abuse and neglect are safe and thrive in a permanent home. Changes such as where the child lives or goes to school, changes in social workers, teachers and friends, as well as the uncertainty of what life holds, can be very overwhelming for these children. The CASA volunteer is there to help recognize what the child needs, work to minimize these detrimental changes, and advocate for positive changes for the child's future. Learn more at casaoflexington.org, by calling (859) 246-4313 or by emailing info@casaoflexington.org.
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