“A masterpiece of emeralds, white and black diamonds for the Grand Finals of Thoroughbred racing at Royal Randwick”
Sydney Social 101 was thrilled to be invited to the unveiling of The Championships’ – Australian racing’s Grand Finals – world-class trophies to accompany this world-class racing carnival, created by multi-award winning and luxury Australian jeweler, Cerrone.
The trophies, featuring an emerald-studded horse with pure diamond eyes and a pure black diamond mane have been crafted personally by race enthusiast and Cerrone’s Managing Director and founding designer, Nicola Cerrone, for The Championships at Royal Randwick, to be held on April 4 and 11, 2015.
The use of emeralds is inspired by Sydney being known as ‘The Emerald City’. The use of these stones also pays homage to the classic book and movie, The Wizard of Oz, where The Emerald City is located in the centre of the Land of Oz at the end of the famous yellow brick road. Famous Australian playwright David Williamson later used the title Emerald City for his 1987 play about Sydney and the name has thus been cemented in Sydney lore.
Nicola Cerrone said he felt proud to be asked to once again design and create something of such high importance for the Australian racing world. For Cerrone, the challenge was to come up with the perfect curve – modern, innovative and fresh – a trophy that brings happiness, especially to the winners of The Championships. Says Cerrone: “It is a piece of art – something reflective of a moment in time and we hope a true collectors’ item.”
Mr Cerrone added months of research had gone into finding the right materials, the right shades and blend of colours, from the sparkle of the eyes to the blaze of the mane.
Each major trophy is pave set with over 2,000 emeralds weighing over 40ct and 140 Black diamonds weighing 4.52ct plus two sparkling pure white diamonds set in the eyes.
Racing NSW Chairman, Mr John Messara AM, says: “The Cerrone trophies are stunning pieces of design that we hope showcase the calibre of the Championships in the racing world. They will be fitting prizes for winning owners during the Grand Finals of Thoroughbred racing.”
The trophies will be awarded to winning connections of the 10 The Championships races on Day 1 and Day 2 of The Championships on Saturday April 4 and Saturday April 11.
They add further prestige to the event which already carries a stunning $18.2 million in prizemoney with winning trainers and jockeys receiving miniature replicas of the trophies.
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