The Art of Excellence: How The Golden Slipper Trophy is Made

The first chapter in the making of the Golden Slipper trophy belongs to Justin Boehme of Craftech Castings in Reservoir. Justin works with the original handmade Slipper prototype created many years ago by the renowned trophy maker John Pinches. This historic model remains the reference point for every new trophy and carries with it the craftsmanship of a different era.

Justin begins by working with liquid wax, which is pressed into shape and then refined with extraordinary patience. He treats this stage with deep respect, knowing that even the smallest mark in the wax will reappear in the final metal. When the wax form reaches the level of precision he demands, it is set within a plaster mould which then undergoes intense vacuum pressure. Justin describes this as similar to placing the mould in an environment with no air at all, like outer space, because the vacuum removes every bubble and ensures the metal that follows will settle with perfect density.

Once the mould is heated overnight, molten bronze is poured into the cavity. It travels through the plaster and fills every ridge and curve of the design. When the plaster is removed, the raw Slipper emerges with a strong crystalline structure and a beautifully defined silhouette. At this point, the casting has completed its first transformation and is ready for the next stage of the journey.

Justin then entrusts the piece to another master craftsman. The unfinished Slipper travels to regional Victoria where the work continues.

The Golden Slipper is a race that carries extraordinary significance. It has launched the careers of future champions and has become a defining moment in Australian racing.

The trophy reflects this legacy. It holds within its gold and marble the heritage of the event, the skill of the people who shaped it and the sense of promise that surrounds every horse that steps onto the track.

When the winner lifts the Golden Slipper trophy at Rosehill Gardens, they lift more than a prize. They hold a piece of racing history, crafted with care and connected to every champion who has come before.