138th Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes trophy is so valuable, not even the winners are allowed to hold it.

The mammoth 13-kilogram, solid silver Woodlawn Vase, created by Tiffany and Co. in 1860, is estimated to be worth more than $1 million — making it the most valuable trophy in American sports.

The immense pressure of safeguarding it for an entire year was too much for the wife of 1953’s winning owner Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, who instead convinced her husband to leave it the hands of organizers.

The trophy now remains on permanent display at the Baltimore Museum of Art, with winners instead being given a $30,000 replica trophy.

Source: www.cnn.com