Each year a graduate of Sheffield Hallam University is commissioned by Doncaster Racecourse to design and make a new centrepiece (the rose bowl and grille) which is part of the prize for the winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger.
This year’s trophy has been made by Stefan Tooke – Designer and Maker of Silverware.
Stefan Tooke was born and raised in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. He graduated in 2007 from Sheffield Hallam University where he completed a BA Honours in Metalwork and Jewellery. His focus at university was with spoons and handles. Shortly after graduating, Tooke worked at the David Mellor cutlery factory in Hathersage for several months where his interest in cutlery and flatware grew further.
Following this, he has worked as a workshop assistant for the well-known silversmith, Chris Knight, and in September, 2008, he was accepted onto the starter studio programme for emerging silversmiths at Persistence Works, Sheffield. The first job that Tooke worked on for Chris Knight was the newly commissioned Ladbrokes St Leger trophy in 2007.
Since starting his business in 2008, Tooke has worked on a wide range of commissions and exhibitions, recently including designing and selling work in exhibitions with the V&A and Christie’s Sale.
Tooke was honoured to design and make the Ladbrokes St Leger trophy rose bowl this year and having been surrounded by images of the Yorkshire rose since birth and seeing as how the Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes is so prominent in Yorkshire’s horseracing calendar, he determined that this symbol would be most significant in his design.
The black buds between the larger petals Tooke turned from Whitby Jet because it is of Yorkshire. The flames emanating from beneath the Yorkshire rose were chosen in reference to an old Yorkshire flag. The gilded button in the centre has been struck with horseshoe marks to signify horseracing.
GUIDE TO THE ST LEGER 2013 – CLICK HERE
Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…
