Friday, 7th April 2006 (3862 views)

The only solid gold trophy presented to the annual winner of an American sports event, the Kentucky Derby cup, has arrived at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The cup, standing 22 inches high and weighing nearly 60 pounds, is made of 14-carat gold and is awarded to the winner of the race dubbed "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports".

Traditionally run on the first Saturday in May, the stakes race is for three year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings and contended over a one-and-a-quarter mile track at the racecourse.

Marc Forbes, the president of New England Sterling, the company that crafts the trophy every year, accompanied the gold cup from its makers in Attleboro, Massachusetts to Churchill Downs.

"New England Sterling creates many wonderful pieces each year but the winner's trophy for the Kentucky Derby is undoubtedly the most special item," he said.

"As a solid gold trophy produced specifically for each annual renewal of the 'Run for the Roses', it is quite literally priceless when it comes to discussing its value," Mr Forbes added.

The gold trophy has been virtually unchanged throughout its 82-year history, save for alterations made to mark specific anniversaries of the competition.

The last changes, made to commemorate the 125th Derby, included adding an array of diamonds, emeralds and rubies, as well as turning the traditional horseshoe 180 degrees so that the ends pointed upwards. The previous horseshoe pointed down, a symbol of bad luck.

 

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