Jen Ricketts Creates Silver Centrepiece for Historic 250th St Leger

Award-winning Yorkshire silversmith Jen Ricketts took centre stage at Doncaster Racecourse with a specially commissioned silver centrepiece created for the historic 250th running of the Betfred St Leger Stakes.

First run in 1776, the St Leger is the world’s oldest Classic horse race and one of the most prestigious events in the British racing calendar. Its landmark 250th running provided an extraordinary opportunity to unite the heritage of the race with the very best of contemporary British silversmithing.

The story of the St Leger Trophy’s modern design began in 2007, when Sheffield silversmith Chris Knight was approached to create a new perpetual trophy as part of the redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse’s grandstand.

Working alongside silversmiths Sarah Denny and Owen Waterhouse, Chris developed a striking hand-wrought silver trophy weighing approximately ten kilograms. Its design features a large rose-water dish, which remains as the permanent St Leger Trophy, together with a removable central rose bowl presented to the winner.

Each year, a contemporary designer silversmith is invited to create a new centre, bringing a fresh interpretation to the trophy while providing recognition and opportunity for some of Britain’s most talented makers.

On behalf of Doncaster Racecourse, Chris commissioned Jen to design and create the winner’s centrepiece for the historic 250th anniversary.

Jen is an award-winning Yorkshire-based silversmith who specialises in bespoke, functional silverware. She is particularly recognised for her intricate hand saw-piercing, using the finest saw blades to transform sheets of silver into detailed skylines, landscapes and narrative scenes.

For the St Leger commission, Jen brought together her distinctive design style, specialist silversmithing skills and lifelong love of horses to celebrate both the heritage of the race and its deep connection with the city of Doncaster.

At the forefront of the finished design, two racehorses are shown charging neck and neck towards the finishing line. Flowing saddle cloths and carefully observed details convey the movement, speed and power of the thoroughbreds, capturing the excitement and atmosphere of race day.

Behind them sits a finely pierced Doncaster cityscape featuring four of the city’s best-known landmarks: Doncaster Minster, the Corn Exchange, the Clock Tower Grandstand and the Red Lion public house.

The entire scene is framed within the outline of a Yorkshire rose and incorporates the dates 1776–2026. The rose celebrates the region’s identity while creating a visual connection between Jen’s removable centrepiece and the larger permanent trophy.

Jen’s original drawing became the template for the finished piece, with every intricate detail hand-pierced from silver sheet and carefully layered to preserve the expressive quality of her illustration.

Speaking about the commission, Jen said:

“I was honoured to be asked by Chris Knight and Doncaster Racecourse to design and create the centrepiece for the 250th Anniversary Betfred St Leger Trophy. It was an incredibly prestigious commission, but one that held personal significance too. Having always had a great love of horses, creating this piece was something I had aspired to throughout my career as a silversmith. Working alongside Chris Knight was a really rewarding experience; being able to exchange ideas and develop the design together really pushed my creativity further than I expected.”

The centrepiece was also the result of collaboration between several exceptionally skilled craftspeople. Chris Perry contributed his specialist spinning and polishing expertise, while Jeff Durber completed the engraving.

Project lead Chris Knight said:

“Jen is the absolute perfect designer-maker for the 250th anniversary year. Her design brings together the heritage of one of Britain’s great races with the skill, creativity and dedication of contemporary silversmiths and designer-makers.”

The finished piece was presented on an unforgettable day for British horse racing. Riding Highwayman, Saffie Osborne became the first female jockey to win a British Classic, securing a historic victory in the 250th Betfred St Leger Stakes.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presented the iconic trophy in the Parade Ring as more than 30,000 racegoers celebrated a defining moment in the history of the race.

The combination of the St Leger’s landmark anniversary, Saffie’s groundbreaking achievement and Jen’s exceptional centrepiece brought national attention not only to the occasion, but also to the craftsmanship, creativity and collaboration behind this unique commission.

Sheffield Assay Office is proud to celebrate Jen and the specialist craftspeople whose expertise continues Britain’s internationally respected tradition of silversmithing. Their work demonstrates how traditional skills can be combined with contemporary design to create pieces that commemorate history while becoming part of it themselves.

The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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