DERBY DETAILS
BY JENNIFER BRUGH
FOR OVER A CENTURY — 150 YEARS, TO BE EXACT —
THE KENTUCKY DERBY HAS BEEN THE PINNACLE OF
TRADITION, LUXURY, AND EXCELLENCE. EVERY YEAR,
PEOPLE DRESS TO THE NINES IN THEIR BOW TIES,
SUNDRESSES, AND HATS, FLOODING THROUGH THE
GATES OF CHURCHILL DOWNS AND BEARING WITNESS
TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST THOROUGHBRED
RACEHORSES. WHILE THE RACE LASTS JUST TWO
MINUTES, THE WINNING HORSE AND ITS JOCKEY
GO DOWN IN HISTORY FOREVER, POSING WITH THE
DERBY’S MOST TREASURED PRIZE — THE GOLD CUP.
T his year, the winning jockey will boast a significantly special trophy commemorating both the 150th Kentucky Derby and the Gold Cup’s 100th anniversary. Handcrafted from 68 ounces of solid 14K gold and featuring a stunning display of rubies, diamonds, and emeralds, the 150th Kentucky Derby Gold Cup is a spectacular piece of hardware — a reflection of tradition, luxury, and excellence. And it was crafted by S.R. Blackinton and our friends at Baxter’s Fine Jewelry in Rhode Island. Carrying on a silversmithing family legacy that began in 1862, Susanne Blackinton-Juaire and her husband, Bill Juaire, oversaw the design and craftsmanship of this year’s trophy, an honor these artisans have held nearly every year since 1975. Learning the trade from her father and his company, New England Sterling, Susanne and Bill continue using old-world spinning techniques, tools, and traditions to construct a horse jockey’s greatest prize. And when the idea to use precious gemstones and diamonds in this year’s design struck, Susanne reached out to Paul Messerlian, owner of Baxter’s Fine Jewelry. “I knew I had a vision of what I wanted, and I remembered how we did the 125th trophy,” said Blackinton. So I searched out and found Paul, and he’s got just an amazing team over at Baxter’s, and they really helped bring our vision to life.”
THE MAKING OF A MASTERPIECE FOR THE 150TH KENTUCKY DERBY BEYOND THE FINISH LINE
14 DAVIS JEWELERS
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