The Grand National Trophy
This year, Boodles is proud to be designing the Grand National Trophy for the 2025 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.
April 2025
This opportunity is particularly exciting because Boodles’ silversmithing heritage can be traced back to 1798 when the company was founded in Liverpool and began as a jeweller, specialising in silver, jewellery and antiques. Between 1937 and 1975, while trading as ‘Boodle & Dunthorne’, we had the honour of designing and crafting many of the Grand National trophies as well as few between now and then. Aintree Racecourse, home to the Grand National since 1839, is just a few miles from Liverpool, where our Head Office remains to this day. Boodles maintains a strong connection to equestrian sports through partnerships such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Burghley Horse Trials, and the Boodles May Festival… to name a few!
“This year’s Randox Grand National Trophy, crafted by Boodles, is a stunning fusion of tradition and innovation. Its design, inspired by both Randox’s advancements in preventative healthcare and the rich legacy of the Grand National, is a fitting tribute to this world-renowned race. We are proud to collaborate with Boodles to celebrate excellence, heritage, and our shared commitment to pushing boundaries.”
This year’s Grand National trophy captures the essence of Randox, the Grand National’s sponsor, through its striking Biochip-inspired design, symbolising innovation, cutting-edge technology, and human endeavour in scientific progress. Boodles' designers wanted to pay homage to the iconic Aintree racecourse by subtly incorporating its features into the design. The molecular structure and DNA helix each contain sixteen spheres and bars, respectively, reflecting the sixteen jumps of the iconic Grand National racecourse.
Mounted on a beautiful green malachite base, the trophy celebrates Boodles’ deep ties to Liverpool and Randox’s racing legacy. The stylised horseshoe structure pays tribute to the horses within the Grand National and reflects both brands’ shared passion for the sport. The inclusion of diamond discs adds a touch of Boodles’ signature sparkle, while the malachite base is a nod to Randox’s brand colour and the historic use of gemstones in Grand National trophies.
This opportunity to design the trophy, brought about through a shared passion for racing between Randox, Boodles, and The Jockey Club, not only celebrates our legacy as expert silversmiths but also reconnects us with a cherished part of both our history, and Liverpool’s heritage.
“Boodles is delighted to be partnering with Randox to design the 2025 Randox Grand National trophy. This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both the rich heritage of the Grand National and our longstanding connection to Aintree, with our company’s roots tracing back to 1798 in Liverpool, just a stone’s throw from the racecourse. We are honoured to play a part in commemorating this world-famous event with Randox.” Michael Wainwright, Boodles Chairman
For many years, while we were still trading as ‘Boodle & Dunthorne’, we had the honour of designing and crafting the Grand National trophies for much of the 20th Century. The Grand National has been held at Aintree Racecourse, just a few miles outside Liverpool, since 1839. Given our reputation as silversmiths in the region, we were proud to be chosen to create these prestigious trophies. For our Chairman at the time, Anthony Wainwright, this was both a privilege and an important responsibility—an opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship on a grand stage.
Now, Boodles’ return to designing the Grand National trophy feels like a full circle. With their headquarters still based in Liverpool, this opportunity not only celebrates Boodles’ legacy as expert silversmiths but also reconnects the jeweller to a cherished part of both its heritage and Liverpool’s history.
“Boodles’ association with the Aintree Grand National endured for much of the 20th century when they were responsible for each year’s magnificent trophies presented to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.”
This letter was written in March 1950 to Mrs Mirabel Topham – owner, chairman and managing director of Aintree Racecourse. From it, we learn that the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths were admirers of the Gold Cup made by Boodles for the 1950 event, and keen to exhibit it as part of the 1951 Festival of Britain.