Randox Grand National 2021 trophy pays tribute to COVID pandemic key workers
Randox Grand National 2021 trophy pays tribute to COVID pandemic key workers
Randox Grand National 2021 trophy pays tribute to COVID pandemic key workers
Saturday 3rd April 2021
The headline sponsor of the Randox Grand National has unveiled the trophy for the 2021 event with a tribute to key workers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shown to the public for the first time on Saturday 3rd April during ITV Racing’s Opening Show, the 2021 trophy has been designed for the second year by Silversmith Cara Murphy from Northern Ireland.
The unique design of the silver and gold trophy, which includes illustrations of the COVID-19 virus on its base, acknowledges a historic year and the collective efforts of all key workers during this time.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Randox Managing Director, said;
“It is only fitting that the trophy for the 2021 Randox Grand National recognises the momentous impact COVID-19 has had on all of our lives, and we pay tribute to the incredible dedication and sacrifice of all key workers in fighting the coronavirus.
“In establishing and running the largest throughput COVID-19 laboratory in the UK, Randox staff have stood shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues in the NHS and elsewhere, and we salute their commitment and achievements.
“As we reflect on the year gone by, and importantly, look ahead to the future, it will be vital that we take forward the lessons we have learnt from the pandemic – the importance of early and accurate testing and the role diagnostic technology can play in meeting future health challenges.
“I believe the 2021 Randox Grand National trophy will serve as a reminder of this message, and of the truly important things in life – our friends, our family, and our health.”
In recognition of Randox’s role in the UK National Testing Programme, the 2021 Randox Grand National trophy features an intricate stem made of the DNA double helix that forms the basis of the testing methods used to detect COVID-19.
At the head of the stem is a striking sphere to signify the circle of Randox’s corporate logo that has become synonymous with a blood drop on which so many of the company’s health tests, including those within Randox Health’s world-leading health checks, are conducted.
Silversmith Cara Murphy commented;
“This has been a tough year for everyone and it has been an honour to work with Randox to create the 2021 Randox Grand National trophy to commemorate the incredible and dedicated efforts of Randox staff in the UK’s National COVID-19 Testing Programme.
“Whilst we are unable to meet together in person for the 2021 Randox Grand National, their hard work has played such a key role in bringing us to a more positive place and one step closer to normality.
“In years to come the winner of this year’s trophy will look at the COVID virus engraving on its base and be able to reflect not only on their success in the Randox Grand National, but on the incredible challenges and achievements of these times.”
Another popular element returning for the 2021 Randox Grand National are the team trophies. In their first year as sponsor, Randox introduced the concept of presenting the entire winning team with individual trophies, to celebrate the combined effort that goes in to achieving such a special victory.
For further enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
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Tiger Roll wins back-to-back Randox Health Grand Nationals
The sponsor of the Randox Health Grand National has congratulated Tiger Roll, Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary as they secured their spot in the history books at Saturday’s Randox Health Grand National.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Health, had high praise for both Aintree Racecourse and his Randox Health team, saying;
“We were delighted to once again partner with the Jockey Club and Aintree Racecourse, together bringing the Randox Health Grand National to the millions who avidly awaited the unfolding of this iconic event.
“Over the last two years of our sponsorship, the theatrics that this Festival has produced have been second-to-none and this, our third year, was no exception. The atmosphere was electric and the cheers of the crowd deafening as Tiger Roll, steered by Davy Russell, stretched himself ahead of the competition to become the first consecutive winner of this most famous race since the days of Red Rum.
“It is a tale which will be forever etched in the history books of Aintree Racecourse and steeplechase racing.
“Congratulations to Tiger Roll’s jockey Davy Russell, trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Michael O’Leary who once again delivered a fairytale of determination and dedication as the small but mighty Tiger Roll stormed to victory for a second time.
“Whilst our partnership with the Randox Health Grand National and the wider Jockey Club is an opportunity for us to spread our message of preventative health, it is also a chance to show our commitment, at a national level, to this wonderful sport. I have been a keen equestrian all my life and Randox, historically, has given its name to many local Point-to-Point and Polo meetings near our headquarters in Northern Ireland.
“It’s the perfect fit, therefore, to unite our company ethos, of helping people to extend and enjoy their lives, with the people’s race, the Randox Health Grand National. Together, we can encourage people to live healthier for longer, in order to enjoy events such as this glorious Festival for as long as possible.
“Our message of preventative health is an important one, particularly in a health-conscious world, and that’s why we have been offering the public a 20% discount across all our health packages and services over the course of the Randox Health Grand National and until the end of April 2019.
“This year, we also highlighted our STI at-home test kit Confidante. Sexual health is a serious issue but all too often such infections are stigmatised and access to services may be problematic – causing considerable difficulties for individuals who believe they may benefit from testing. This can lead to increased health challenges at a personal level, and potentially much higher rates of infection.
“Confidante allows for 10 STIs to be tested in a private and fully confidential manner, with the results provided directly to the individual. Improving ease-of-access to such testing is an important issue to support the health needs of those who require testing of and to help reduce the overall rates of sexual infections within society.
“The Randox Health Hub at Aintree Racecourse provided race-goers with an opportunity to engage with Confidante directly through our Secret Cinema where viewers entered a private booth, unaware of the humorous short film which awaited them. Many were in good spirits as a camera caught their reactions and all were entered in to a draw to win a FitBit on each day of the Festival
“I would like to thank the millions who joined us at the Randox Health Grand National 2019 to witness history being made – whether in person at Aintree Racecourse or tuned in to the screen or airwaves. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the coming years as we deliver the world’s most famous steeplechase and share our preventative health message.”
For more information about the Randox Health Grand National 2019 please contact the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413.
Liverpool school pupils are first to lay eyes on the Randox Health Grand National 2019 trophy
School pupils across Liverpool are today enjoying an exclusive sneak-peek of the 2019 Randox Health Grand National trophy, as part of a tour hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist and Aintree ambassador Sam Quek, and acclaimed former jockey Carrie Ford.
The trophy, which has travelled to King’s Leadership Academy, Maricourt Catholic High School and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, will be officially unveiled to the public during the Opening Ceremony of the Randox Health Grand National Festival on Thursday 4th April.
Etched in solid silver and gilded with gold, the 2019 trophy, which has been designed for the third year by Shannon O’Neill, is aptly shaped like a human antibody, to carry again the sponsor’s message of health and science which so successfully resonated with the racing fraternity in 2017 and 2018.
“We’re incredibly excited to unveil the 2019 Randox Health Grand National trophy during this year’s Opening Ceremony,” said Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Health.
“Our sponsorship of the world’s greatest race is incredibly special to us, as it is a powerful way to share our preventative health message across the globe. With its unique design, the trophy reflects the outstanding science on which Randox Health is based and the use of world class antibodies to identify disease.
“At the base of the trophy, a collection of Randox Biochips – our most innovative health testing technology – have also been brought to the fore. We’re thrilled that with each new trophy we can reflect on the scientific advances of the year gone by and share a new chapter of the Randox story.”
Those who have the opportunity to view the stunning Randox Health Grand National trophy up close, will notice small spherical structures within the stem of the festival’s most coveted prize. Alluding to proteins, one of the building blocks of the human body, this design element draws attention to an area of research in which Randox is investing significantly.
Dr FitzGerald continued; “We strongly believe that the future of healthcare lies in proteomics, the study of proteins. By utilising this innovative method of disease detection, we can identify illness within an individual before it becomes symptomatic. Proteins are released into the blood at the very earliest stage of disease development and, when they are detected, serve as the earliest warning to initiate preventive care.
“Whilst Randox leads the world in proteomic Biochips – the screening for multiple proteins at the same time – there is still much to be done. We can currently test for hundreds of different proteins at once, however, we know that there are up to 30,000 different proteins that we may wish to monitor.
“As we continue to develop diagnostic tests for these proteins, we can begin to imagine a world in which sickness is actively prevented at the earliest stage, rather than managed. In proteins lies the key to living healthier for longer.”
Another popular element returning to the presentation of the winning Randox Health Grand National prizes are team trophies. In 2017, their first year as sponsor, Randox Health introduced the concept of presenting the entire winning team with a trophy, to celebrate the combined effort that goes in to achieving such a special victory. In 2018, they went to trainer Gordon Elliott, jockey Davy Russell, and head groom Louise Dunne.
The Randox Health Grand National trophy will be available to view in the Randox Health Hub at Aintree racecourse at 11:30am and 15:30pm on each day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.
Randox Health Grand National Family Fun Day launched at The Cope
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta show Barrscéalta, together with Randox Health, would like to invite the public to join them for a special live show from The Cope in Dungloe at 11 am on Friday 16th February, to launch the upcoming Randox Health Grand National Family Fun Day.
To celebrate their sponsorship of the Grand National, Randox Health has offered Barrscéalta a superb prize of a trip for two to the event, to include flights and accommodation, and entry to the Randox Health Grand National. Listeners can enter the competition by text in the week running up to the show from Dungloe – tune in to RnaG for full details – and all those who turn up for the live programme can also enter on the day to be in with a chance to win. The winner will be drawn during the show.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Randox Managing Director, commented;
“We are delighted to offer this prize to one lucky listener, in recognition of the consistent support Randox Teoranta has received from the local community since our establishment in Donegal in 2008.”
“Our aim to offer world-leading science, engineering and software careers in west Donegal, so that people working in these fields no longer have to move away from home to find work, has been incredibly well-received. We’re therefore delighted that we’ll have representatives from Dungloe join us at the Randox Health Grand National as we celebrate together how far we have come.”
On Friday 16th February, there will also be lots of spot prizes for members of the audience, and plenty of tea, coffee and traybakes, supplied by The Cope. The brand new Randox Health Grand National trophy, which will be unveiled to the public for the first time on 13th February at the prestigious Weights Event in London, will be on display during the programme. The new trophy, designed and created by renowned Liverpool silversmith Shannon O’Neill, stands 45 cm high and is made of solid silver gilded with gold.
Speaking of the trophy, Dr FitzGerald said;
“There is no other race in the world like the Randox Health Grand National, and we want to ensure that the trophy reflects the status of the achievement.”
The Randox Health Grand National Family Day will take place in Randox Teoranta, Meenmore, on the 14th April from 1 pm – 6 pm. It’s a free event for all the family, with plenty of entertainment for kids, including a bouncy castle, as well as food and drink, live music and dance, craft stalls and a large screen for the public to watch the big races over at Aintree. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s sports programme Spórt an tSathairn, presented by Seán Bán Breathnach, will be broadcasting live from the event on 14th April.
Áine Ní Churráin will present this special edition of Barrscéalta on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta live from The Cope on Friday 16th February. All are welcome to attend the event which will take place between 11 am and 12 pm. There is no need to book.
For further information please contact the Randox PR Team: phone 028 9442 2413 or email randoxpr@randox.com
Randox Health Grand National Trophy 2018 tour comes to schools across Northern Ireland
Randox Health are today pleased to announce that in early March, the 2018 Randox Health Grand National Trophy will be coming to schools across Northern Ireland. This is the second year of the trophy tour, to mark Randox Health’s sponsorship of the world-renowned steeplechase.
At Randox, our ambition is to continually improve people’s health around the world. That is why we took on the sponsorship of this famous event, to spread our message about the importance of preventive healthcare. As the first healthcare company to be involved with the sport, we are credited with bringing a very positive era to it.
This year we are offering a number of schools in Northern Ireland the opportunity to take part in a two – three-hour trophy-making masterclass, with the designer of both the 2017 and 2018 trophies – the silversmith Shannon O’Neill.
Shannon will guide a class of students through the process of designing and constructing a trophy, albeit in less-rare materials than the ones used in the actual trophy! We will again be able to bring the trophy to the schools for pupils to see and hopefully be inspired.
We will provide all necessary equipment, and aim for each pupil to have a paper-version of their trophy to take home. The pupils will have the chance to ask Shannon questions about working on the trophy and find out about the skills involved in being a silversmith.
In order to ensure the schools who would most welcome this unique opportunity can participate, please contact us by the 26th January 2018 to take part in our schools tour with the Randox Health Grand National Trophy 2018. The tour will take place over three days, with final dates being agreed shortly; we hope to be able to include every school that is interested!
We look forward to hearing from you.
To apply, please contact our Public Relations team at randoxpr@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
2017 Randox Health Grand National Trophy Statue unveiled at Aintree Racecourse
A giant replica of the 2017 Randox Health Grand National trophy is being installed at Aintree Racecourse ahead of the world’s greatest horse race. The design was unveiled for the first time today during the Northern media lunch.
The statue standing at almost 6 meters, which will be seen by over 600 million people during the three day festival, depicts the same level of detail as the real trophy. The stunning piece is solid silver gilded with gold, and depicts horses galloping through strands of DNA.
A spot will be marked out near the statute directing race-goers where to stand to get a picture of them ‘holding’ the trophy. It is part of Randox Health’s plan to get the nation to #FeelLikeAWinner during the festival, even if they won’t be at Aintree. They hope people at the racecourse will share the trophy images on social media with people at home posting selfies with their cherished trophies!
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, commented;
“With the Randox Health Grand National being the greatest horse race in the world we wanted to give everyone a chance to feel like a winner throughout the festival. We’re very proud of the trophy and its one people can enjoy too. We want to give everybody the opportunity to feel part of this year’s festival even if they’re not here, which is why we’re encouraging them to share their own trophy selfies with the racing fans at Aintree. The Randox Health Grand National is a national occasion we want to share and we hope that we can encourage that.”
John Baker, Managing Director for Aintree Racecourse, commented;
“We’re delighted and honoured to work with Randox as a long term partner and we look forward to many years of success. With less than three weeks to go until the Randox Health Grand National Festival, we’re in great shape with the Aintree site looking tremendous and ticket sales going very well. We’re anticipating three days of thrilling racing with high quality entries and we look forward to plenty of fun and excitement off the track as well. The Aintree and Randox teams are working extremely hard to put on the best possible experience for our racegoers so we look forward to opening the gates on Thursday 6 April and welcoming everyone for a fantastic three days.”
The official reveal of the trophy statue has come after the announcement that for each of its five years of sponsorship, Randox Health, the title partner of the Randox Health Grand National, will create a unique winner’s trophy, and each member of the winning team – trainer, jockey and groom – will receive their own trophy in recognition of the teamwork that goes into achieving such monumental success.
The coveted trophy was unveiled by Sir Anthony McCoy and Dr Peter FitzGerald at the Weights Evening Reception at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
For more information about Randox Health Grand National Horse please contact Randox PR on 028 9445 1016 or email RandoxPR@randox.com
Northern Ireland children are first in the UK to see Randox Health Grand National Trophy 2017
Last week schoolchildren in Northern Ireland were the first in the UK to get to see the 2017 Randox Health Grand National trophy, when Randox Health took it on a schools tour across Northern Ireland.
A visit to Crumlin Integrated College in the town where Randox is based kicked off the tour, which marked the first time in the history of the race that the Grand National trophy has visited Northern Ireland.
The trophy made an appearance at schools in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Omagh and Antrim, including St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, the primary school attended by Sir Anthony McCoy. The children at each school had the chance to learn more about Randox’s message of preventive health and were also offered the opportunity to take a trophy selfie!
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, commented;
“We are very proud of our roots and the support of people in Northern Ireland has played a significant part in our global success. This is an opportunity to share the excitement of the build-up of the Randox Health Grand National with children here, and also importantly to help spread the message of preventive health.
“No other race is as popular as this so it is rightfully called The People’s Race. It is our commitment to improving the health of people right across the world that led to this sponsorship. We hope that as a result people will learn about a more proactive and positive way to stay healthy and enjoy the magical moments that life gives us.”
Lynda McGarry, Principal of Crumlin Integrated College, welcomed the tour and the visit to the Crumlin school, which is also hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach;
“We are absolutely thrilled that the children of each of our schools in Crumlin will be able to see the Randox Health Grand National Trophy up close and personal. Horse racing is such a popular sport in Northern Ireland and so many of our pupils watch the Grand National at home with their families. To be able to share in the excitement leading up to the race is a fantastic opportunity for them and they are all looking forward to watching the race in April and finding out who will win the trophy that visited our school.
“We’re grateful to Randox for providing our pupils with such a special experience that they will remember for a very long time, and are very proud that the company, which is just down the road from us, is partnering with the world’s greatest race, and that Dr. FitzGerald chose Crumlin Integrated College to be the first school to see this special trophy.
“We are delighted that our Head Boy Brian Savage was able to unveil the trophy at our special assembly in front of a packed hall of pupils, staff and invited guests including politicians from all of the main parties.”
The Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland cames after an announcement that for the first time ever, the title partner of the Randox Health Grand National will create a different winner’s trophy for each of the 5 years of its sponsorship, and each member of the winning team – owner, trainer, jockey groom – will receive their own version.
The Randox Health Grand National 2017 Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland was as follows:
Tuesday 21st February
Crumlin Integrated College – hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach
Oakwood Special Needs School
Victoria College Primary School
Ashfield Boys High School
Wednesday 22nd February
Antrim Grammar
St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School **(AP McCoy’s Primary School)
Dalriada Grammar School
Bushmills Primary School
North Coast Integrated College
Thursday 23rd February
Templepatrick Primary School
Loanends Primary School
Wallace High School
Thursday afternoon – Randox Health Holywood Clinic
Friday 24th February
Royal School Armagh
Omagh Academy
Strabane Academy
St Cecilia’s College
For more information about the 2017 Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland please contact Randox PR on 028 9445 1016 or email RandoxPR@randox.com
Randox Health brings Grand National trophy on a tour of schools across Northern Ireland
Schoolchildren in Northern Ireland will be the first in the UK to get to see the 2017 Randox Health Grand National trophy, when the new sponsor takes it on a schools tour.
A visit to Crumlin Integrated College in the town where the global diagnostics company is based will kick off the tour, which marks the first time in the history of the race that the Grand National trophy has visited Northern Ireland.
Today marks the first day of the four-day schools tour across the country with the trophy, which was unveiled last week by Sir Anthony McCoy and Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, at the Randox Health Grand National Weights Evening Reception.
With the trophy due to make an appearance at schools in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Omagh and Antrim, including St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, the primary school attended by Sir Anthony McCoy, children across Northern Ireland will learn more about the company’s message of preventive health and also be offered the opportunity to take a trophy selfie!
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, commented;
“We are very proud of our roots and the support of people in Northern Ireland has played a significant part in our global success. This is an opportunity to share the excitement of the build-up of the Randox Health Grand National with children here, and also importantly to help spread the message of preventive health.
“No other race is as popular as this so it is rightfully called The People’s Race. It is our commitment to improving the health of people right across the world that led to this sponsorship. We hope that as a result people will learn about a more proactive and positive way to stay healthy and enjoy the magical moments that life gives us.”
Lynda McGarry, Principal of Crumlin Integrated College, welcomed the tour and the visit to the Crumlin school, which is also hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach;
“We are absolutely thrilled that the children of each of our schools in Crumlin will be able to see the Randox Health Grand National Trophy up close and personal. Horse racing is such a popular sport in Northern Ireland and so many of our pupils watch the Grand National at home with their families. To be able to share in the excitement leading up to the race is a fantastic opportunity for them and they are all looking forward to watching the race in April and finding out who will win the trophy that visited our school.
“We’re grateful to Randox for providing our pupils with such a special experience that they will remember for a very long time, and are very proud that the company, which is just down the road from us, is partnering with the world’s greatest race, and that Dr. FitzGerald chose Crumlin Integrated College to be the first school to see this special trophy.
“We are delighted that our Head Boy Brian Savage was able to unveil the trophy at our special assembly in front of a packed hall of pupils, staff and invited guests including politicians from all of the main parties.”
The Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland comes after an announcement that for the first time ever, the title partner of the Randox Health Grand National will create a different winner’s trophy for each of the 5 years of its sponsorship, and each member of the winning team – owner, trainer, jockey groom – will receive their own version.
The schedule for the Randox Health Grand National 2017 Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland is as follows:
Tuesday 21st February
0915 – 0945 Crumlin Integrated College – hosting St Joseph’s, Crumlin Integrated Primary School and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach
1130 -1200 – Oakwood Special Needs School
1215 – 1245 – Victoria College Primary School
1335 – 1405 – Ashfield Boys High School
Wednesday 22nd February
0915 – 0945 – Antrim Grammar
1010 – 1040 – St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School **(AP McCoy’s Primary School)
1220 – 1250 – Dalriada Grammar School
1315 – 1345 – Bushmills Primary School
1405 – 1435 – North Coast Integrated College
Thursday 23rd February
0915 – 0945- Templepatrick Primary School
1000 – 1030- Loanends Primary School
1105 – 1135 – Wallace High School
Thursday afternoon – Randox Health Holywood Clinic
Friday 24th February
0930 – 1000 – Royal School Armagh
1200 – 1230 – Omagh Academy
1315 – 1345 – Strabane Academy
1430 – 1500 – St Cecilia’s College
For more information about the 2017 Randox Health Grand National Trophy Tour of Northern Ireland please contact Randox PR on 028 9445 1016 or email RandoxPR@randox.com
The making of the Randox Health Grand National Trophy, with Silversmith Shannon O’Neill
Last night at the Weights Evening Reception in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the highly coveted trophy for the Randox Health Grand National was unveiled to the public for the first time.
We caught up with Silversmith Shannon O’Neill, who designed the trophy, to better understand what goes in to making such an iconic piece of art…
The making of the Randox Health Grand National Trophy
By Silversmith Shannon O’Neill
I think of myself as more design lead rather than process lead, because I don’t like the idea of limiting my designs to my own level of experience. I like to let the ideas flow and a design develop, before I start to think seriously about how the piece can be made, which puts me on the road to constant discovery and learning.
This is by far the biggest commission I have ever worked on and required me to incorporate the skills of other smiths with a wider skill base, for the various techniques that I wanted to utilize and not least, due to the time scale and gravity of the commission.
It was thanks to The Goldsmiths’ Company and Padgham and Putland that I’ve been able to work alongside and be mentored by some of the very best and most experienced silversmiths in the country. This piece would not exist without their immense input and for that I’m hugely grateful.
- With something of this size, it made sense to have the main body of the trophy spun from a flat disc. Spinning is one of the oldest techniques of forming circular metal components, dating back to the Egyptians. It’s a highly specialized skill, requiring a 5 year apprenticeship and is not for the faint-hearted, especially when you consider that the disc of silver needed to be over half a meter wide, whilst spinning at super high speed. Specific chucks were made and the whole process took more than 6 days to form.
- The top sweeping line of the trophy was marked out, before being pierced and a round wire was then rolled, shaped and fitted to the top edge, so it could be soldered into place. The main body was then planished to remove any visible spinning lines.
- While the main body was taking shape, work on the base section began. The curve of the lettering was first worked out on the flat and then modelled using CAD CAM, to create three flat sections of 3D printed wax, that were then cast in silver. Once cast, they were formed into the round, cleaned up and soldered together. The top wire was first rolled out from a large round wire and fabricated to fit, then soldered into place and finished on the lathe, while the base wires were rectangular.
- In addition to the base section that you see from the outside, a couple of beautifully engineered parts were needed, to enable the top and bottom sections of the trophy to be screwed together. Given the time factor, this was a huge help, enabling us to work on both sections of the trophy simultaneously, whilst also making it easier for the gilding and polishing process, as well as future restorers.
- Before the chasing could commence, both the top and bottom sections were pre-polished. This is an important step, which avoids any potential damage, caused by the later polishing, so no hammer marks or subtle lines would be lost.
- Next came the transfer of the design onto the form. Since the shape contracts significantly in the middle as well as being concave, it was necessary to make sure that the integrity of the illustration was not lost in the process. Having unsuccessfully tried to use a computer adapted version, I reverted to an old method of cutting the illustration into hundreds of strips and tailoring it to the shape. This was then combined with drawing of a grid onto the form, to keep the lettering in proportion. A white primer provided the ideal surface to sketch onto and the lines were scribed into the metal, in preparation for the chasing.
- Chasing is such a wonderful process. Unlike engraving which can look similar to ‘flat-chased’ pieces, the process doesn’t just leave a blank surface on the inside. Personally, I love the way that chasing moves the whole surface of the metal, as it bends and curves in response to your marks and then right at the end, when all the pitch is emptied out, you see the reversed illustration, as the pattern is echoed inside.
- The trophy was filled with hot, molton ‘pitch’ (like bitumen), which was then allowed to cool overnight. This provides support for the form, to stop it from denting while creating the low-relief process. The chasing tool is held in one hand and a ‘chasing’ hammer in the other, as multiple hammer blows allow the chasing tool, to glide over the surface of the metal, so creating an impression.
- All the lines were chased twice over, before the pitch was melted out in preparation for the ‘repousse’ of the lettering – basically the same process, but tapping on the tool from the inside and supporting it from the outside, to create the embossed surface.
- At the end of the repousse work, the trophy was again loaded with the molten pitch, in preparation for the final round of ‘chasing’ to create further definition and ‘matting’. The ‘matting’ created the sparkly texture on various details in the design. The whole process is quite physical, when you consider how heavy the piece was, once it was filled with pitch and this entire process took over four weeks.
- Meanwhile, the base section was also ‘matted’ to create the texture behind the lettering. It then went to the stone setters, to have the red crystal mounted in the center of the ‘O’, to replicate the drop of blood Randox’s logo.
- The final stage in the fabrication followed, as the engineered section, which fits into the base of the trophy, was soldered onto the main body.
- Both sections were then given their final polish, with a high-polished finish on the base and the inside of the trophy, with a much softer brushed sheen, to maximize the visibility of the illustration on the outside. It’s so important to get a great polish, because it’s like framing a work of art – it can either make or break a piece of work.
- Almost finished and onto the ‘platers’. The inside was given a first layer of hard-gold plating and a second lemon yellow top-coat, to create the perfect shade. The base section was plated with ‘black-gold’, around all the lettering.
- Finally the two sections were assembled!
For more information about the Randox Health Grand National 2017 Trophy please contact Nicola McHugh or Amy McIlwaine in the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413
AP McCoy unveils 2017 Randox Health Grand National trophy at Weights Event
It stands at 45 centimetres tall, is solid silver gilded with gold, and depicts horses galloping through strands of DNA – and in just over 50 days will be presented to the winner of the 2017 Randox Health Grand National.
The sought-after trophy was unveiled by Dr Peter FitzGerald, founder of Randox, and 20-time Champion Jockey Sir Anthony McCoy at the annual Weights Reception, held this year in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The Northern Irish sporting legend won the Grand National in 2010 and has now joined Randox Health as a brand ambassador.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director of Randox Health, said,
“To win the Grand National is one of the crowning achievements in sport and in this our first year of sponsorship, we sought to commission a trophy which would complement this tremendous success. I am delighted with the result, as the trophy captures the heart of both the race and Randox – in the speed of the horses and the strands of DNA. I look forward to the moment this trophy is presented to the winner of the 2017 Randox Health Grand National and wish everyone taking part the very best.
“As sponsor we sought to further recognise the achievements of the winning team, which will join a cast of legends. This year for the first time and for every year of our partnership, the trainer, jockey and groom will receive a scale representation of the trophy, as we pay tribute to the teamwork that goes into achieving such monumental success.”
As the trophy was unveiled on stage in the V&A its designer, Silversmith Shannon O’Neill, explained to the audience the thinking behind her design and the work involved in creating such an iconic piece of art.
“As an artist, you search for that foothold of inspiration in every commission. With Randox, that came immediately. I wanted to depict the pursuit of glory in the race with the pursuit of health. For me, nothing is more positive than encouraging people to take control of their lives in order to achieve greatness – in whatever field they choose.
“Months of hard work have gone in to designing and creating the piece of art that will this year become the trophy awarded to the first ever winner of the Randox Health Grand National. I look forward to seeing this trophy put into the hands of the victor!”
The official reveal of the trophy has come after a number of weeks of teaser images released to the public, following its hallmarking at the Goldsmith’s Assay Office in London on the 24th January.
Guests were also given an exclusive viewing of Randox’s virtual reality film which stars Sir Anthony McCoy and reveals what goes on inside a Randox Health clinic, including a look at its revolutionary ‘Evolution’ blood screening machine.
The full virtual reality video will be displayed at the Randox Health Grand National on Thursday 6th April.
Randox are rolling out additional clinics across the country including in Liverpool and Manchester, and internationally including Dubai and in the USA.
For more information about Randox Health please contact Nicola McHugh or Amy McIlwaine in the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413
