1986 Jim Beam Stakes / Spiral Spring Festival Commemorative Highball Glass

This is a vintage tall highball or 'Tom Collins' style glass produced to commemorate the 1986 Jim Beam Stakes, a prominent Thoroughbred horse race. The item is constructed of clear, machine-made glass with a weighted base. It features a detailed wrap-around graphic in red and white enamel. The screen-printed design includes a comprehensive list of historical horse racing winners, categorized by the 'Spiral Stakes' (1972-1981) and the 'Jim Beam Stakes' (1982-1986), which was the name adopted when Jim Beam became the title sponsor. Notable winners listed include Broad Brush (1986, indicated with a question mark on the pre-race glass) and Banner Bob (1985). At the bottom, the logo for the 'Official Spiral Spring Festival Association Inc.' is visible in white. The glass shows some signs of age-related wear, including minor scuffing on the clear glass surface and some slight fading or cloudiness at the base, but the enamel graphics remain largely vibrant and intact. This piece represents mid-1980s sports memorabilia from Kentucky horse racing history, specifically Turfway Park (formerly Latonia Race Course). The craftsmanship is characteristic of commercial promotional barware of the era, focusing on durability and legible typography for event attendees.

I have examined the 1986 Jim Beam Stakes / Spiral Spring Festival commemorative highball glass. Based on its design and typography, the piece appears to be an authentic example of commercial promotional barware from the mid-1980s. The enamel remains mostly vibrant, though minor scuffing and base cloudiness indicate moderate use. The glass serves as a significant artifact of Kentucky horse racing history, specifically documenting the transition period when Turfway Park's premier race adopted the Jim Beam title sponsorship. Notable names like Broad Brush and Banner Bob enhance its appeal to racing historians. Market demand for this specific item is relatively niche, primarily driven by regional collectors in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tri-state area and horse racing memorabilia enthusiasts. While these glasses were produced in high volumes for event attendees, many have been lost to breakage over the decades, which maintains a modest level of rarity. Comparables for similar vintage racing glasses typically sell in the $10 to $30 range depending on the stature of the winning horse and the integrity of the screen printing. Factors affecting value include the clarity of the typography and the lack of significant chips. It is important to note that my assessment is based solely on visual inspection of the provided images. A definitive valuation would require an in-person physical inspection to assess for micro-fractures, internal glass degradation (sickness), and tactile verification of the enamel's texture. Full authentication would benefit from provenance documentation, such as proof of original purchase at Turfway Park or inclusion in a verified estate collection of similar racing memorabilia.