World Hurdle

Ladbrokes World Hurdle

2015
Cole Harden	Saphir Du Rheu	Zarkandar

Previous years
2014
More Of That	Annie Power	At Fishers Cross
2013
Solwhit	Celestial Halo	Smad Place
2012
Big Buck's	Voler La Vedette	Smad Place
2011
Big Buck's	Grands Crus	Mourad

2010-2001
2010
Big Buck's	Time For Rupert	Powerstation
2009
Big Buck's	Punchestowns	Powerstation
2008
Inglis Drever	Kasbah Bliss	Kazal
2007
Inglis Drever	Mighty Man	Blazing Bailey
2006
My Way de Solzen	Golden Cross	Mighty Man
2005
Inglis Drever	Baracouda	Rule Supreme
2004
Iris's Gift	Baracouda	Crystal d'Ainay
2003
Baracouda	Iris's Gift	Limestone Lad
2002
Baracouda	Bannow Bay	It Takes Time

2000-1991
2000
Bacchanal	Limestone Lad	Behrajan
1999
Anzum	Le Coudray	Lady Rebecca
1998
Princeful	Splendid Thyne	Ocean Hawk
1997
Karshi	Anzum	Paddy's Return
1996
Cyborgo	Mysilv	What A Question
1995
Dorans Pride	Cyborgo	Simpson
1994
Balasani	Avro Anson	Minella Lad
1993
Shuil Ar Aghaidh	Pragada	Baydon Star
1992
Nomadic Way	Ubu III	Crystal Spirit
1991
King's Curate	Run For Free	Pragada

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, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

• 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. 
• Race Recordings