The Woodlawn Vase: A Storied Symbol of Excellence

Presented each year to the winner of the Preakness Stakes, the Woodlawn Vase is one of the most prestigious trophies in American sports. Standing 36 inches tall and weighing approximately 30 pounds, this solid sterling silver masterpiece is widely regarded as the most valuable trophy in North America — and one of the most revered in all of sports.

The Woodlawn Vase has a remarkable history. First crafted by Tiffany & Co. in 1860, the trophy predates the Preakness itself and is the oldest continuously contested trophy in the United States. During the Civil War, it was said to have been buried on a Kentucky farm to keep it safe — a testament to the value and reverence placed on this extraordinary piece.

Each May, the vase takes center stage at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, where it is presented to the winner of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel in the Triple Crown. For the rest of the year, the Woodlawn Vase is housed at the prestigious Baltimore Museum of Art, where it remains under careful protection and on view as a celebrated work of craftsmanship and sporting heritage.

Crafted by Tiffany & Co., the Woodlawn Vase stands not only as a symbol of victory, but as a lasting tribute to the legacy of the sport and the enduring artistry behind it.