This year’s Triple Crown series kicks off on May 2, starting with the Kentucky Derby and followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. At these races, the horses aren’t the only attraction. From vibrant suits and dresses to over-the-top hats, observing spectator style is an event in itself. But beyond the bold sartorial statements, we have our eye on slightly more under-the-radar accessories: equestrian jewels.
The Victorian and Edwardians eras were an exciting time for this type of jewelry, spawning styles like brooches featuring diamond-encrusted horses topped with tiny enameled jockeys and jockey stickpins with carved moonstone faces topped with gem-set caps. Not surprisingly, the British royal family has a long history of wearing equestrian-themed jewels, including the Queen Elizabeth II, the Princess Royal, Queen Camilla and even Princess Charlotte.
From cufflinks and pendants to brooches and bracelets, there’s an appealing playfulness to equestrian jewelry. And you don’t have to be an accomplished rider to get swept up in the excitement of cheering at a horse race. In that spirit, we’re highlighting jewelry that celebrates all things horse racing, from horseshoes to the jockeys who, in their brightly colored and patterned silks, make racing so stylish.
Gucci Jockey Hat Cuff
Gucci is known for featuring equestrian symbols like horsebits in its handbags, clothing and jewelry, but scrolling through 1stDibs and stumbling across this 1970s silver cuff with an enameled jockey cap was a delightful surprise.
Alabaster & Wilson Horse and Jockey Brooch
This diamond, gold and enamel brooch was created by Alabaster & Wilson in the 1950s, and a similar piece from the British jeweler was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her 90th birthday in 2016.
Horseshoe Ring
The horseshoe has long been considered a symbol of good luck, and this sweet Victorian-era ring features seven (a lucky number) old mine-cut diamonds.
David Webb Horse Head Cufflinks
David Webb was known for his whimsical animal jewelry, and these gold-and-enamel cufflinks, with a horse head on one end and a jockey cap on the other, are just the right amount of fanciful.
Alex Jona Horseshoe Nail Ring
Horseshoes are attached to a horse’s hooves using a special type of nail, and Alex Jona turned this utilitarian item into a sculptural ring. This 18-karat gold version of the nail winds around the finger with the end wrapped around the head in the shape of a horseshoe.
Jockey Stickpin
Like a tiny piece of sculpture, this circa-1910 stickpin features a jockey with a face carved from moonstone and racing silks rendered in enamel and embellished with rubies and diamonds.
Hermès Galop Bracelet
Hermès started out as a company offering equestrian goods, and the company still celebrates that heritage. This sterling silver Galop bangle bracelet, which features a with a pair of racing horses, is a strong statement piece that feels fresh today, even though it was hails from the 1980s.
