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 revered as one of the most opulent and valuable trophies in sporting history.

For nearly two centuries, the Woodlawn Vase has stood as one of the most iconic symbols of athletic achievement. First crafted in 1860—it marked the start of Tiffany & Co.’s renowned tradition in trophy design. 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 of horse racing’s 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.

To celebrate the 150th running of the Preakness, we partnered with Tiffany & Co. to tell the story of this trophy, a tribute to our shared love of sporting excellence, heritage, and craftsmanship.