Central Kentucky Riding for Hope fundraiser offers long list of auction prizes, packages

The highest bidder at the ninth annual Night of the Stars will win two lower-arena tickets to all home games to watch the reigning NCAA champion University of Kentucky men’s basketball team play in 2012-13 and a halter worn by Zenyatta along with the opportunity to visit the Thoroughbred superstar.
 

Night of the Stars, the annual fundraiser for Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH), on June 16 at the Keeneland Entertainment Center in Lexington. CKRH is a 31-year-old program based at the Kentucky Horse Park that offers a variety of equine-assisted activities and therapies for people of all ages.
 

“A Call to Adventure” is the theme of this year’s Night Of The Stars, which includes cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions. The event begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $100.
 

“We are thrilled to offer the UK basketball tickets, as well as shoes worn and autographed by Anthony Davis and other Cats’ memorabilia, because interest in the team has never been so high,” said CKRH Executive Director Pat Kline. “These items have definitely created a buzz for Night Of The Stars and generated tremendous anticipation for the event. And we truly appreciate having the donation of an opportunity to visit Zenyatta and own a halter she wore for a second year. In her unique way, Zenyatta continues to do great things for many people.”
 

The UK tickets, made possible by the CKRH Board of Directors and friends, are the highlight of a package that includes a basketball signed by Coach John Calipari and a poster of the Lexington Herald-Leader’s front-page headline proclaiming “GR8NESS.”
 

Zenyatta, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, has resided at the Farish family’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky., since she was retired from a phenomenal racing career in which she won 19 of 20 races and earned more than $7.3 million. The visit to see Zenyatta, which was made possible by the Mosses and Lane’s End, is for up to six people and will be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date. The package includes a halter worn by the champion and a photo opportunity with Zenyatta (for personal use only).
 

The live auction includes these other items:
 

• Game-worn, size 17 shoes worn by UK superstar Anthony Davis. Each shoe is signed and includes Davis’ jersey number (No. 23); a photograph of the signing accompanies the shoes. (CKRH will receive 50% of the proceeds from the sale of these shoes.)
• Historic sixteenth pole marker from Keeneland, where some of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history have raced since 1936.
• Four-day trip to a working cattle ranch in Colorado or Wyoming with accommodations in fully furnished facilities.
• An 18-karat white gold pendant with a 4.15C amethyst focal stone surrounded by diamonds and more amethyst accent stones.
• Presentation of CKRH students and horses wearing elaborate themed costumes created by Shirley Gentry. The highest bidder for each horse will gain a year’s sponsorship of that horse, along with a commemorative photo and plaque.
 

People who cannot attend Night of the Stars but still want to bid on items in the live auction may do so by submitting their bid and their credit card information via email or phone to Vickie Parker at CKRH at vickie@ckrh.org or 859-231-7066. The deadline to submit phone and email bids is 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 14.
 

Silent auction items include halters worn by additional famous Thoroughbreds, including Horses of the Year A.P. Indy, Rachel Alexandra, Saint Liam and Tiznow; champions Bernardini, Street Sense and Thunder Gulch; Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus; Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Drosselmeyer; and Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (IRE), sire of Zenyatta and Street Sense. Street Sense and Thunder Gulch also won the Kentucky Derby. Bernardini is the sire of Zenyatta’s first foal, who was born this year; Rachel Alexandra was bred to Bernardini this year.
 

The silent auction also features the use of prominent boxes at Churchill Downs and at Keeneland; a winter trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo.; tickets to Cincinnati Reds, Lexington Legends and UK football games; paintings and photography; items for children; items for home and office; Chinese antiques; jewelry; tickets to family-friendly attractions; gift certificates to popular area restaurants and businesses; items for equestrians; and a wide range of unique keepsakes.
 

From Central Kentucky Riding for Hope