Edward St. John, Founder and Chairman of the Board of St. John Properties, has won the 1953 Preakness Stakes "owner's trophy," bringing this Maryland treasure back to Baltimore. Feeling it was important to bid on this iconic symbol of Maryland racing, St. John commissioned Paul Winicki of Radcliffe Jewelers to bid on the trophy at Doyle Auctions in New York. The trophy was originally awarded to Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr. for the 1953 Preakness Stakes victory by Native Dancer. It is the first Preakness Stakes “owner’s trophy” and the oldest of its kind that remains in private hands.
“I grew up in the Pimlico area and attended Preakness as a child. I found it very exciting watching the horses thunder by and to see the winner being awarded the magnificent prized trophy,” said St. John. “Another point of interest to me was the fact that the Preakness trophy had been owned by the Vanderbilt family.” St. John is very familiar with the family not only because of their historical prominence, but also due to the fact that he has a home previously designed and owned by the Vanderbilts.
The Preakness trophy evolved from the original Woodlawn Vase, a massive 36-inch-tall trophy made of sterling silver by Tiffany & Co. in 1860 for Woodlawn Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. It was first awarded in 1861, but buried for safety during the Civil War. The Woodlawn Vase became the winner's trophy for the Preakness Stakes in 1917. It is a perpetual trophy, awarded to the winner each year and then given back for presentation to the new winner the following year. This tradition remained until 1953 when Jeanne Murray Vanderbilt, the wife of Alfred, offered to let the Woodlawn Vase reside at the Baltimore Museum of Art for a year for everyone to see. It was then decided that a scaled replica of the trophy, the “owner’s trophy”, commissioned by Baltimore silversmith, Schofield Company, would be given to the winner of the Preakness each year for them to keep.
Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr., a towering figure in the history of Maryland racing, was the owner of Pimlico Race Course and twice its President. He was also the owner of Sagamore Farm in Baltimore County where Kentucky born Native Dancer was raised and trained. Native Dancer was retired to stud at Sagamore Farm with a record of 21 wins in 22 races and went on to sire many later champions.
A great rarity to racing collectors, there has only been one other Preakness Stakes trophy sold at auction. The current trophy, truly one of the most compelling treasures of thoroughbred racing, is now back home in the State of Maryland.
