ABC Bullion, the leading name in precious metals, has unveiled the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy, ready for the ‘race that stops the nation’ on November 5. This year’s trophy is crafted from pure Australian ABC Bullion gold, rendered into 18-carat gold, which was sourced entirely from Evolution Mining’s Mount Rawdon mine in Queensland.
W.J. Sanders, ABC Bullion’s sister company with over a century of expertise in gold and silver craftsmanship, meticulously handcrafted the trophy in its Marrickville workshop in Sydney. The piece took over 250 hours to complete, showcasing the dedication and skill of artisans who continue to use time-honoured techniques to create this iconic piece each year.
Since 2016, ABC Bullion has been the sole authorised supplier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophies, crafted by the artisans at W.J. Sanders under the exacting standards set by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). The trophy’s base, turned from Western Australian jarrah, further enhances its local provenance. Both ABC Bullion and W.J. Sanders are Pallion companies.
Darren May, General Manager at W.J. Sanders, expressed pride in the team’s work: “The Melbourne Cup truly embodies the essence of Australian craftsmanship,” he said. “In a world dominated by mass production, it’s a privilege for our skilled artisans in Sydney to create this iconic symbol of international sport using time-honoured techniques. Each step in its creation is a testament to the dedication, precision and passion that our team pours into making this trophy a lasting symbol of excellence and heritage.”
Over generations, the Melbourne Cup has become known as the ‘Loving Cup’, with its tri-handle design symbolising the unity between the winning jockey, trainer and owner. It’s also called the ‘People’s Cup’ for its engagement in hundreds of community events across Australia, New Zealand and beyond in the lead-up to race day.
Did you know?
- ABC Bullion, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pallion, is the sole authorised supplier of the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophies, including the Harry White Whip, each crafted by sister company W.J. Sanders since 2016.
- The creation of the Cup involves over 250 hours of skilled labour, beginning up to eight months before the race.
- The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup contains 1.738kg of 18-carat yellow gold, equivalent to more than 60 ounces of pure gold, all sourced from 100% Australian mines.
- The gold for the 2024 trophy was sourced from the Newcrest Mining Cadia mine near Orange, NSW.
- Every member of the W.J. Sanders team contributes to the creation of the Cup, which is ornamentally hand-engraved and mounted on a base of Western Australian jarrah.
- Additional trophies are presented to the jockey, trainer, strapper and breeder, crafted from Australian silver and gold-plated to VRC standards.
The prestigious 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy will be awarded at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to the victors of the Lexus Melbourne Cup during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
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