World Hurdle

The World Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

It is the leading long-distance hurdle event in the National Hunt calendar, and it is the feature race on the third day of the Festival.

History

The present version of the event was introduced in 1972, when it replaced a previous race, the Spa Hurdle. It was initially known as the Stayers' Hurdle, and in its early years it was sponsored by Lloyds Bank. It was backed by Waterford Crystal from 1978 to 1990, and by Bonusprint from 1991 to 2004. The race used to be held on either the Tuesday or the Wednesday of the Festival, but it was moved to the Thursday in 1993. It was formerly contested on Cheltenham's Old Course, where its distance was 3 miles and 1 furlong.

The title of the race was changed to the World Hurdle when Ladbrokes took over the sponsorship in 2005.

Records

Most successful horse since 1972 (4 wins):

• Big Buck's – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Leading jockey since 1972 (4 wins):

• Ruby Walsh – Big Buck's (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Leading trainer since 1972 (4 wins):

• Paul Nicholls– Big Buck's (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Leading owner since 1972 (4 wins):

• The Stewart Family – Big Buck's (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Winners since 1972

• Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".

¹ Avro Anson finished first in 1994, but he was relegated to second place for causing interference.
² The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • 2009, 2010, 2011

• cheltenham.co.uk – Media information pack (2010).
• pedigreequery.com – World Hurdle – Cheltenham.
• Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 57. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.