The California Thoroughbred Foundation loaned Noor’s 1950 Hollywood Gold Cup trophy from the Charles S. Howard collection to Santa Anita for the June 6 edition of the Hollywood Gold Cup. The historic race reverted to its original name for this year’s running, won by Improbable.
The name change grew out of a conversation between Alan F. Balch, a trustee of the Foundation and the executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Aidan Butler, executive director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group. For six years after Santa Anita absorbed many of the stakes from now-closed Hollywood Park, the race was known as the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
“The Hollywood Gold Cup is one of the most storied races in all of American racing, and we are right to remember it,” said Butler. “Beginning when Seabiscuit won the inaugural in 1938, it has attracted some of the fnest older horses in the world. Even though Hollywood Park doesn’t exist anymore, this race does, and it deserves to be linked to its grand past.”
Noor’s beautiful trophy made a ftting display in the winner’s circle presentation following Improbable’s victory. Crafted by Shreve & Co., the trophy consists of more than 42 ounces of 14 karat gold and is more than a foot long. According to Mike Willman, Santa Anita’s director of publicity, Santa Anita announced that it has “commissioned a new issue of the Gold Cup trophy which will be presented to this year’s winner upon completion.”
The Foundation was happy to share Noor’s Gold Cup trophy as part of the race celebration.