10/23/2026
I never really thought about how Lilly Pulitzer and Standardbred racehorses could overlap—or how their histories could intertwine with my own life through mental health, recovery, and the work I do. 🌸🐴
But as I learned more about the history behind our River Run Racehorse Retirement fundraiser, those connections kept appearing.
Before she was Lilly Pulitzer, she was Lillian Lee McKim. Her great-grandfather, Jabez Bostwick, was a founding partner of Standard Oil.
Another original Standard Oil partner was Stephen V. Harkness. His son, Lamon Harkness, purchased Walnut Hall Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1892 and developed it into one of the great Standardbred breeding farms.
Two families whose fortunes came from the same company went on to leave very different legacies—one in colorful fashion, the other in the history of the Standardbred horse.
And there’s another horse connection: Lilly’s mother married prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder Ogden Phipps, making him Lilly’s stepfather.
But the part of her story that resonates most with me is how her business began.
As a young mother, Lilly experienced mental health struggles and sought treatment. Her daughter later believed she had experienced postpartum depression. During her recovery, her doctor encouraged her to find something purposeful to do.
Already financially comfortable, Lilly opened and worked at a juice stand in Palm Beach. When squeezing citrus stained her clothes, she had colorful printed dresses made to hide the splashes. Customers began asking for the dresses—and an unexpected new chapter began.
With 31 years in recovery, I understand how meaningful purpose and connection can be. Through my work at ViaMar Health, I help people connect with eating disorder treatment and mental health care. Through River Run, I help provide retired and unraced racehorses with safety, care, and a lifelong home.
Those horses also give something back to me: connection, grounding, and purpose.
And here’s what makes this especially interesting: I didn’t seek out Lilly Pulitzer for a fundraiser. Two girls at the barn, whose mom is a manager at Lilly Pulitzer, came to me with the opportunity. It had never even crossed my mind.
The opportunity came first. Discovering all these connections came afterward.
I couldn’t have planned these threads coming together—Lilly Pulitzer, Walnut Hall, Standardbred horses, mental health, recovery, and my own life’s work. Maybe it’s coincidence. Maybe it’s a reminder that our lives connect in ways we don’t always see right away. Either way, it makes this fundraiser feel even more meaningful to me.
🌸 HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT RIVER RUN:
📞 Shop from anywhere by calling Lilly Pulitzer at Mizner Park at 561-807-7275. Tell the team you’re shopping to support River Run Racehorse Retirement, and they can help you place an order to be shipped to you.
🛍️ Shop in person this Sunday, October 25, from 1–5 PM at any of the FIVE participating Lilly Pulitzer stores in Palm Beach County:
• Mizner Park
• Boca Town Center
• Palm Beach Gardens
• Delray Beach
• Worth Avenue, Palm Beach
Be sure to mention River Run Racehorse Retirement when shopping!
Your purchases can help support the lifelong care of horses like River and Dr. J Hanover.
Please share this post with your horse friends, your Lilly friends, and anyone who understands how much purpose and connection can mean. You don’t have to live nearby to make a difference! 🌸🐴💚
