The race we now recognise as the Cheltenham Gold Cup started in 1924. Back then a new trophy was made every year, with a different design, and was kept by the winner. That original from 1924 was auctioned off in 1979. It was privately owned until Cheltenham bought it back in 2018. Since 2019, it has been the perpetual trophy, and is on permanent display at Cheltenham, 365 days a year.
We came on board in 2020, and we make an exact replica, identical in every dimension, that the winning owner keeps. On the presentation table on Gold Cup day there are four trophies: the original, the replica, and the goblets for the trainer and jockey. The original is presented to the winners - that's the one the jockeys hold high- then it goes back into the cabinet.
The Gold Cup is a really tricky piece to make; it's a labour of love. Modelled on a classic, old-fashioned sugar bowl, it has horses' heads as handles. It's an intricate shape that can't easily be spun on a lathe; it's created by pouring silver into a mould. We allow about three months to produce it, as there are many stages.
Denne historien er fra March 07, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra March 07, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rubbed raw
Persistent itching is hard to live with, causing both physical and mental distress. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS explains what may cause it in horses, and what to do
LJT Egebjerggards Samoa
Sophie Wells’ Paralympic bronze medallist is on track to be one of the best in the world. Oscar Williams meets her
Services jumping champion
Captain Lara Dixon on revived showjumping dreams, learning to ride again and the mare who made it happen
Emma Thomas
The Bramham under-25 champion talks to Pippa Roome about going for it in eventing, her two contrasting top horses and riding round Burghley nursing a serious kick injury
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
