Preakness Stakes 2026 Trophy: Inside the Remarkable History of the Woodlawn Vase

The Woodlawn Vase Was Buried During the Civil War

One of the most fascinating parts of the Woodlawn Vase’s history came during the Civil War. Originally commissioned by the Woodlawn Racing Association in Kentucky, the trophy was buried underground for safekeeping after fears it could be melted down and turned into ammunition during wartime.

That decision ultimately preserved one of the most iconic trophies in American sports history.

According to historical accounts, the vase remained hidden in Kentucky until after the war ended. Racing eventually resumed, and the Woodlawn Vase returned to prominence as one of horse racing’s premier prizes.

The trophy officially became associated with the Preakness Stakes in 1917 and has remained tied to the race ever since.

Why the Woodlawn Vase is so Valuable

The Woodlawn Vase is not just historically significant. It is also an extraordinary work of craftsmanship.

Standing 36 inches tall and weighing approximately 30 pounds, the trophy is made of solid sterling silver and features intricate horse racing details throughout the design. The top of the vase includes a silver figure of the famous horse Lexington with a jockey mounted on top.

Its value has skyrocketed over the decades. In 1983, the vase was insured for $1 million. Modern estimates now place its replacement value above $4 million.

That staggering value is one reason winning owners no longer take the original trophy home.

Why Winners No Longer Keep the Original Trophy

For decades, winning Preakness owners were allowed to keep the Woodlawn Vase for a year before returning it for the next race.

That changed after Native Dancer won the Preakness Stakes in 1953. The wife of owner Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. reportedly declined possession because of the responsibility and risk associated with protecting such a valuable artifact.

Since then, the original Woodlawn Vase has remained under permanent protection.

Today, the trophy is housed at the Baltimore Museum of Art and transported under heavy security for the annual Preakness presentation ceremony. Winners instead receive a smaller sterling silver replica that still takes months to create by hand.

A Trophy Unlike Any Other in Sports

Every major sporting event has a championship trophy, but very few can rival the Woodlawn Vase in terms of history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.

The trophy has survived war, changed racetracks across multiple states, and become a permanent symbol of the Triple Crown’s second jewel. Even today, its arrival at the Preakness Stakes is treated with enormous care and reverence.

More than a century after it became the official Preakness trophy, the Woodlawn Vase remains one of the sport’s greatest treasures and one of the most unique championship prizes in the world.