August Belmont Trophy
Encyclopedia
The August Belmont Trophy is awarded annually to the winning owner of the Belmont Stakes
run at Belmont Park
in Elmont, New York
since 1926. The perpetual trophy, a silver bowl, made by Louis Comfort Tiffany
and donated by the Belmont family, has been presented to the winning owner for ceremonial purposes only. A silver plate is inscribed and given to the winning owner to keep.
From 1869 until 1926, this trophy remained with the Belmont family. In 1926, Mrs. Eleanor R. Belmont, the widow of Major August Belmont II, donated the trophy to the Westchester Racing Association, then a governing body of New York racing, to be established as the permanent trophy for the race.
In a letter to Mrs. Belmont dated June 8, 1926, Westchester Racing Secretary John J. Coakley wrote:
“As desired by you, the Cup will be known in the future as the August Belmont Memorial Cup and will be contested for annually in the renewal of the ‘Belmont Stakes’ at Belmont Park, the winner of each renewal to retain possession of the Cup until the succeeding year.”
It takes approximately 700 “select” carnations imported from Colombia
to create the 40 pound blanket draped over the winner of the Belmont Stakes. The New York Racing Association
has long used The Pennock Company, a wholesale florist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
to import the carnations used for the mantle..
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
run at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
in Elmont, New York
Elmont, New York
Elmont is an unincorporated census-designated place located in the northwest corner of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, along its border with the borough of Queens in New York City...
since 1926. The perpetual trophy, a silver bowl, made by Louis Comfort Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass. He is the American artist most associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements...
and donated by the Belmont family, has been presented to the winning owner for ceremonial purposes only. A silver plate is inscribed and given to the winning owner to keep.
From 1869 until 1926, this trophy remained with the Belmont family. In 1926, Mrs. Eleanor R. Belmont, the widow of Major August Belmont II, donated the trophy to the Westchester Racing Association, then a governing body of New York racing, to be established as the permanent trophy for the race.
In a letter to Mrs. Belmont dated June 8, 1926, Westchester Racing Secretary John J. Coakley wrote:
“As desired by you, the Cup will be known in the future as the August Belmont Memorial Cup and will be contested for annually in the renewal of the ‘Belmont Stakes’ at Belmont Park, the winner of each renewal to retain possession of the Cup until the succeeding year.”
Silver Trays
In addition to be presented the permanent trophy for ceremonial purposes only, the winning owner of the Belmont Stakes receives a large silver tray upon which the names of previous Belmont are engraved. This tradition also dates back to 1926, when the Westchester Racing Association committed to present to the winner each year “a suitable plate to become the property of such winning owner.” The winning trainer, jockey and exercise rider also receive silver trays, while the winning groom is given race mementos.Description of the Trophy
The August Belmont Memorial Cup is a solid silver bowl and cover made by Tiffany & Co. measuring 18 inches tall, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. Atop the bowl's cover is a silver figure of Fenian, winner of the third running of the Belmont Stakes in 1869. The bowl is supported by three horses; Herod, Eclipse and Matchem, representing the three foundation sires of the thoroughbred world, the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb. Of these, the lineage of Eclipse is predominant in the modern Thoroughbred.Blanket of White Carnations
While the origin of the white carnation as the official flower of the Belmont Stakes is unknown, it’s a fitting choice to crown the winner of the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion.” Traditionally, pure white carnations stand for love and luck, but they are also hardy, long-lasting flowers, not unlike the they come to adorn.It takes approximately 700 “select” carnations imported from Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
to create the 40 pound blanket draped over the winner of the Belmont Stakes. The New York Racing Association
New York Racing Association
The New York Racing Association, Inc. is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the state of New York. It runs Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island , and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga...
has long used The Pennock Company, a wholesale florist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
to import the carnations used for the mantle..