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SYDNEY JEWELLER CERRONE
CREATES NEW TROPHIES FOR
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
“A masterpiece of emeralds, pink and black diamonds for
the Grand Finals of Thoroughbred Racing at Royal Randwick.”
A
ustralian racing’s newest jewel in the crown, The
Championships in Sydney, now has world-class
trophies to match with stunning creations by
leading luxury jeweller Cerrone.
The trophies, featuring an emerald horse with pink argyle
diamond eyes and black diamonds on mane and hooves,
have been crafted by Sydney’s Nic Cerrone for The
Championships at Royal Randwick on April 12 and 19.
Racing NSW Chairman, Mr John Messara AM said the
trophies were “magnificent works of art that would sit
proudly on any mantelpiece. They truly
reflect the stature of our event – these
wonderful trophies are fitting prizes for
owners of winners of the Grand Finals
of Thoroughbred Racing,” Mr Messara
said.
The use of emeralds is inspired by the
Sydney being known as ‘The Emerald
City’. In the classic book, and later movie,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 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
stuck ever since.
“It’s fitting that the emerald is a focal part of The
Championships trophy, with The Championships providing
a fairytale story for the winners of the 10 Championships
races” Mr Messara said.
The director and awarded designer Nicola Cerrone said
he felt proud to be asked to design and create something
of such high importance for Sydney and Australia:
“I wanted to create something truly unique to represent
Sydney, our beautiful city, and one that I am very proud of
– our Emerald City as we know it,” he said.
After researching trophies from throughout the world the
design chosen is “innovative, creative and different - to
really show the world what Australia is all about”, said Mr
Cerrone, adding that curves were the fundamental design
for the trophy.
“Curves are a huge part of Cerrone designs, they are
a part of nature and also a fabulous representation
of the shape of a magnificently, strong and muscular
racehorse,” he said. “For us 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. It is a piece of art and a
piece of jewellery.”
Mr Cerrone said a lot of research and effort had gone
into finding the right materials, the right shades and the
right blend of colours, from the emeralds to the black
diamonds to the natural pink argyle diamonds.
Each major trophy is pave set with over 2,000
emeralds weighing over 40ct and 140 Black
Diamonds weighing 4.52ct featuring 2 Natural Pink
Argyle diamonds set in the eyes.
The trophies will be awarded to winning connections
of the 10 Championships races on Day1 and Day 2
of The Championships on Saturday April 12 and
Saturday April 19. They add further prestige to
the event which already carries a stunning
$18.2 million in prizemoney. Winning
trainers and jockeys will also receive
miniature replicas of the trophies.
Cerrone has also designed a
commemorative pin for The Championships,
which will be available for $2 to racegoers on
each of the two Saturdays of The Championships.
Additionally, Cerrone will provide a limited-edition
commemorative pin with a Pink Argyle diamond. Valued
at $500 each, only 20 of these unique pins have been
commissioned.
All proceeds from the sale of the pins will go to Sony
Foundation’s youth cancer campaign, You Can, which
aims to establish specialised youth cancer centres
around Australia for 16 to 25 year-olds. Funds raised at
The Championships will go towards funding a new You
Can Youth Cancer Centre at Prince of Wales Hospital in
Randwick.
One lucky racegoer at The Championships will have
the chance to win a $9,000 emerald and diamond
encrusted Cerrone brooch by entering a competition
to give the Cerrone ‘Emerald City horse’ a name. Full
details on how to win this stunning piece are available
at
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