Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt

National Hunt racing

National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...

 hurdle race

Hurdling (horse race)

A Hurdle race in England is a National Hunt horse race where the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles that are over three and a half feet high. They are typically made of brush, that has some flexability. Hurdle races always have a minimum of eight hurdles and a minimum distance of two miles ....

 in Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 which is open to horses

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

 aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...

 over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards (3,319 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...

 in March.

As its title suggests, the Champion Hurdle is the most prestigious hurdling event in the National Hunt calendar. Its list of winners features many of the most highly acclaimed hurdlers in the sport's history, and several of these, such as National Spirit

National Spirit Hurdle

The National Spirit Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fontwell Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped...

, Hatton's Grace

Hatton's Grace Hurdle

The Hatton's Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...

, Persian War

Persian War Novices' Hurdle

The Persian War Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...

 and Lanzarote

Lanzarote Hurdle

The Lanzarote Hurdle is a National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 5 furlongs , and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped...

, have had races named in their honour.

History

The first Champion Hurdle was run in 1927, and its inaugural winner, Blaris, was awarded prize money of £365. In its second year the event was won by Brown Jack

Brown Jack

Brown Jack was a Thoroughbred racehorse that raced over hurdles and then on the flat. He was a "stayer" – a horse specialising in longer races. He won the second Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 1928, but his main claim to fame was winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes – the longest race in the flat...

, who subsequently became a prolific winner of long-distance flat

Flat racing

Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...

 races. The Champion Hurdle was abandoned in 1931 due to persistent frost, and in 1932 it was contested by just three horses – the smallest field in its history. The race was cancelled twice during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, in 1943 and 1944.

The post-war years saw the emergence of the event's first triple winner, Hatton's Grace, who was trained in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien

Vincent O'Brien

Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...

. The achievement of Hatton's Grace was soon to be matched by Sir Ken, who recorded three successive victories in the 1950s. Before the second of these Sir Ken was given a starting price

Starting Prices

In horse racing, the starting price is the odds prevailing in the on-course fixed-odds betting market at the time a race begins. The method by which SPs are set for each runner varies in different countries but is generally by consensus of an appointed panel on the basis of their observations of...

 of 2/5 (a £5 bet would have won £2). He is the shortest-priced horse to have won the race. The third horse to win the event three times was Persian War, who completed his hat-trick in 1970. Commercial sponsorship of the Champion Hurdle began in 1978, and it was initially backed by Waterford Crystal

Waterford Crystal

Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...

.

The 1984 winner, Dawn Run

Dawn Run

Dawn Run was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at the festival in 1986. Dawn Run was the only racehorse to have...

, became the second mare

Mare

Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...

 to win the Champion Hurdle. In the same year she also won the Irish

Irish Champion Hurdle

The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...

 and French

Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil

The Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil, sometimes referred to as the French Champion Hurdle, is a Group 1 hurdle race in France which is open to horses aged five years or older...

 versions of the event, and two seasons later she won the most prestigious chase in National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...

. She remains the only horse to have completed the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double. From 1985 to 1987 the Champion Hurdle was dominated by See You Then, who became the event's fourth three-time winner. A new sponsor, Smurfit

Smurfit Kappa Group

The Smurfit Kappa Group is Europe's leading corrugated packaging company, following the merger of Jefferson Smurfit Group and Kappa Packaging. This merger was finalized by the end of 2005...

 (now known as the Smurfit Kappa Group), began supporting the race in 1991. The second female horse to win the race was Flakey Dove, the winner in 1994.

The most recent triple winner of the Champion Hurdle was Istabraq

Istabraq

Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion...

, whose successes came in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In the early weeks of 2001 he was the odds-on favourite to win the race again, for an unprecedented fourth time. However, this opportunity was lost as the entire Cheltenham Festival was cancelled that year because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Istabraq returned for the 2002 running, but on this occasion he failed to complete the race, and he was retired thereafter.

The race is the final leg of the Road to Cheltenham

Road to Cheltenham

The Road to Cheltenham is a series of four British top-class horse races over hurdles, culminating in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...

, a series of high-class hurdles races sponsored by StanJames.com consisting of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Fighting Fifth Hurdle

The Fighting Fifth 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 at Newcastle over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...

, the International Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle Trial

Champion Hurdle Trial

The StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. From 2011, the race will be sponsored by the online sportsbook StanJames.com. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards ,...

.

Records

Most successful horse (3 wins):

• Hatton's Grace – 1949, 1950, 1951
• Sir Ken – 1952, 1953, 1954
• Persian War – 1968, 1969, 1970
• See You Then – 1985, 1986, 1987
• Istabraq
  Istabraq
  Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion...
  
   – 1998, 1999, 2000

----
Leading jockey

Jockey

A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...

 (4 wins):

• Tim Molony – Hatton's Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954)

----
Leading trainer

Horse trainer

In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...

 (5 wins):

• Peter Easterby
  Peter Easterby
  Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....
  
   – Saucy Kit (1967), Night Nurse (1976, 1977), Sea Pigeon (1980, 1981)
• Nicky Henderson
  Nicky Henderson
  Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...
  
   – See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010)

----
Leading owner (4 wins):

• Dorothy Paget
  Dorothy Paget
  Dorothy Wyndham Paget was a British racehorse owner.She was the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the United States Whitney family. She was a cousin of Jock Whitney, owner of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero and latterly American Ambassador in London. She...
  
   – Insurance (1932, 1933), Solford (1940), Distel (1946)
• J. P. McManus
  J. P. McManus
  John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into...
  
   – Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000), Binocular (2010)

Winners

• Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".

  Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner
  1927	Blaris	6	George Duller	Bill Payne	Mrs H. Hollins
  1928	Brown Jack Brown Jack Brown Jack was a Thoroughbred racehorse that raced over hurdles and then on the flat. He was a "stayer" – a horse specialising in longer races. He won the second Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 1928, but his main claim to fame was winning the Queen Alexandra Stakes – the longest race in the flat...	4	Bilbie Rees	Aubrey Hastings	Sir Harold Wernher Harold Augustus Wernher Sir Harold Augustus Wernher, 3rd Baronet, GCVO, TD -Biography:He was the son of Sir Julius Wernher, 1st Baronet and his wife Alice Sedgwick Mankiewicz...
  1929	Royal Falcon	6	Dick Rees	Bob Gore	Miss Williams-Bulkeley
  1930	Brown Tony	4	Tommy Cullinan	Jack Anthony Jack Anthony (jockey) John Randolph Anthony , better known as Jack Anthony, was a Welsh jockey.Anthony was best known for his three victories in the Grand National steeplechase: on "Glenside" in 1911, on "Ally Sloper" in 1915, and on "Troytown" in 1920...	Mrs J. de Sélincourt
  1931	no race 1931
  1932	Insurance	5	Ted Leader	Basil Briscoe Basil Briscoe Basil Briscoe was a British racehorse trainer. The son of William Arthur Briscoe, of Longstowe Hall, Cambridgeshire, and May Matilda Boughey, he was educated at Eton College...	Dorothy Paget Dorothy Paget Dorothy Wyndham Paget was a British racehorse owner.She was the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the United States Whitney family. She was a cousin of Jock Whitney, owner of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero and latterly American Ambassador in London. She...
  1933	Insurance	6	Billy Stott	Basil Briscoe Basil Briscoe Basil Briscoe was a British racehorse trainer. The son of William Arthur Briscoe, of Longstowe Hall, Cambridgeshire, and May Matilda Boughey, he was educated at Eton College...	Dorothy Paget Dorothy Paget Dorothy Wyndham Paget was a British racehorse owner.She was the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the United States Whitney family. She was a cousin of Jock Whitney, owner of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero and latterly American Ambassador in London. She...
  1934	Chenango	7	Danny Morgan	Ivor Anthony	Pete Bostwick Pete Bostwick George Herbert "Pete" Bostwick was an American court tennis player, a steeplechase jockey and horse trainer, and an eight-goal polo player.-Biography:...
  1935	Lion Courage	7	Gerry Wilson	F. Brown	R. Fox Carlyon
  1936	Victor Norman	5	Frenchie Nicholson	Morgan Blair	Michael Stephens
  1937	Free Fare	9	Georges Pellerin	Ted Gwilt	Ben Warner
  1938	Our Hope	9	Perry Harding	Roderic Gubbins	Roderic Gubbins
  1939	African Sister	7	Keith Piggott	Charles Piggott	H. Brueton
  1940	Solford	9	Sean Magee	Owen Anthony	Dorothy Paget Dorothy Paget Dorothy Wyndham Paget was a British racehorse owner.She was the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the United States Whitney family. She was a cousin of Jock Whitney, owner of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero and latterly American Ambassador in London. She...
  1941	Seneca	4	Ron Smyth	Vic Smyth	Sir Malcolm McAlpine
  1942	Forestation	4	Ron Smyth	Vic Smyth	Vic Smyth
  1943	no race 1943–44
  1945	Brains Trust	5	Fred Rimell	Gerry Wilson	F. Blakeway
  1946	Distel	5	Bobby O'Ryan	Charles Rogers	Dorothy Paget Dorothy Paget Dorothy Wyndham Paget was a British racehorse owner.She was the daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline Payne Whitney of the United States Whitney family. She was a cousin of Jock Whitney, owner of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero and latterly American Ambassador in London. She...
  1947	National Spirit	6	Danny Morgan	Vic Smyth	Len Abelson
  1948	National Spirit	7	Ron Smyth	Vic Smyth	Len Abelson
  1949	Hatton's Grace	9	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...	Mrs Harry Keogh
  1950	Hatton's Grace	10	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...	Mrs Harry Keogh
  1951	Hatton's Grace	11	Tim Molony	Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...	Mrs Harry Keogh
  1952	Sir Ken	5	Tim Molony	Willie Stephenson	Maurice Kingsley
  1953	Sir Ken	6	Tim Molony	Willie Stephenson	Maurice Kingsley
  1954	Sir Ken	7	Tim Molony	Willie Stephenson	Maurice Kingsley
  1955	Clair Soleil	6	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he...	Gerry Judd
  1956	Doorknocker	8	Harry Sprague	Charlie Hall	Clifford Nicholson
  1957	Merry Deal	7	Grenville Underwood	Arthur Jones	Arthur Jones
  1958	Bandalore	7	George Slack	Stan Wright	Dorothy Wright
  1959	Fare Time	6	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he...	Gerry Judd
  1960	Another Flash	6	Bobby Beasley	Paddy Sleator	J. J. Byrne
  1961	Eborneezer	6	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he...	Dr B. N. Pajgar
  1962	Anzio	5	Willie Robinson	Fulke Walwyn Fulke Walwyn Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was a British jockey and racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He was born in Wrexham and died in Newbury.He was educated at Malvern College....	Sir Thomas Ainsworth
  1963	Winning Fair	8	Mr Alan Lillingston	George Spencer	George Spencer
  1964	Magic Court	6	Pat McCarron	Tommy Robson	J. McGhie
  1965	Kirriemuir	5	Willie Robinson	Fulke Walwyn Fulke Walwyn Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was a British jockey and racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He was born in Wrexham and died in Newbury.He was educated at Malvern College....	Dorothy Beddington
  1966	Salmon Spray	8	Johnny Haine	Bob Turnell	Mrs John Rogerson
  1967	Saucy Kit	6	Roy Edwards	Peter Easterby Peter Easterby Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....	K. F. Alder
  1968	Persian War	5	Jimmy Uttley	Colin Davies	Henry Alper
  1969	Persian War	6	Jimmy Uttley	Colin Davies	Henry Alper
  1970	Persian War	7	Jimmy Uttley	Colin Davies	Henry Alper
  1971	Bula	6	Paul Kelleway	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Bill Edwards-Heathcote
  1972	Bula	7	Paul Kelleway	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Bill Edwards-Heathcote
  1973	Comedy of Errors Comedy of Errors (horse) Comedy of Errors was a champion British racehorse of the 1970s, winning the Champion Hurdle in 1973 and 1975, and finishing second in 1974. He was trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Bill Smith and Ken White. The horse was the first to regain British hurdling's top prize....	6	Bill Smith	Fred Rimell	Ted Wheatley
  1974	Lanzarote	6	Richard Pitman Richard Pitman Richard Pitman, is a retired jump jockey who rode 470 winners in his career including Lanzarote in the 1974 Champion Hurdle). He also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse twice, the Whitbread Gold Cup once and the Hennessy Gold Cup once....	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	Lord Howard de Walden John Scott-Ellis, 9th Baron Howard de Walden John Osmael Scott-Ellis, 9th Baron Howard de Walden, 5th Baron Seaford was a British peer, landowner, and a Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder. He was the son of Margarita van Raalte and her husband, Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden and was educated at Eton.In 1931 he moved to...
  1975	Comedy of Errors Comedy of Errors (horse) Comedy of Errors was a champion British racehorse of the 1970s, winning the Champion Hurdle in 1973 and 1975, and finishing second in 1974. He was trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Bill Smith and Ken White. The horse was the first to regain British hurdling's top prize....	8	Ken White	Fred Rimell	Ted Wheatley
  1976	Night Nurse Night Nurse (horse) Night Nurse was an Irish bred English trained National Hunt racehorse sired by Falcon.Timeform rated Night Nurse at 182, the highest rating ever awarded to a hurdler.* 182 - Night Nurse* 180 - Istabraq, Monksfield...	5	Paddy Broderick	Peter Easterby Peter Easterby Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....	Reg Spencer
  1977	Night Nurse Night Nurse (horse) Night Nurse was an Irish bred English trained National Hunt racehorse sired by Falcon.Timeform rated Night Nurse at 182, the highest rating ever awarded to a hurdler.* 182 - Night Nurse* 180 - Istabraq, Monksfield...	6	Paddy Broderick	Peter Easterby Peter Easterby Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....	Reg Spencer
  1978	Monksfield Monksfield Monksfield was an Irish-trained National Hunt racehorse who won the Champion Hurdle in 1978 and 1979.There was never much of Monksfield, but his small frame hid an attitude of great determination. If it came to a fight Monksfield would not only want to be in it, he would expect to win it...	6	Tommy Kinane	Des McDonogh	Dr Michael Mangan
  1979	Monksfield Monksfield Monksfield was an Irish-trained National Hunt racehorse who won the Champion Hurdle in 1978 and 1979.There was never much of Monksfield, but his small frame hid an attitude of great determination. If it came to a fight Monksfield would not only want to be in it, he would expect to win it...	7	Dessie Hughes	Des McDonogh	Dr Michael Mangan
  1980	Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon was a racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing.As a son of the great Derby winner Sea Bird II, Sea Pigeon was bred to be a high class horse on the flat, but his efforts as a three-year-old were slightly lacklustre - trained by Jeremy Tree, he ran in the 1973 Epsom...	10	Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...	Peter Easterby Peter Easterby Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....	Pat Muldoon
  1981	Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon was a racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing.As a son of the great Derby winner Sea Bird II, Sea Pigeon was bred to be a high class horse on the flat, but his efforts as a three-year-old were slightly lacklustre - trained by Jeremy Tree, he ran in the 1973 Epsom...	11	John Francome John Francome John Francome MBE is a former National Hunt Champion Jockey.Born in Swindon the son of a railway fireman, his family had no connection with the horse racing world. At sixteen years old he became apprentice to Lambourn trainer Fred Winter and so began his career as a jockey. He rode a total of...	Peter Easterby Peter Easterby Miles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....	Pat Muldoon
  1982	For Auction	6	Mr Colin Magnier	Michael Cunningham	F. Heaslip
  1983	Gaye Brief	6	Richard Linley	Mercy Rimell	Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin
  1984	Dawn Run Dawn Run Dawn Run was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at the festival in 1986. Dawn Run was the only racehorse to have...	6	Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...	Paddy Mullins Paddy Mullins Paddy Mullins was an Irish racehorse trainer in a career which spanned fifty two years.His first winner was Flash Parade, which won the 1953 La Touche at Punchestown...	Charmian Hill
  1985	See You Then	5	Steve Smith Eccles	Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...	Stype Wood Stud
  1986	See You Then	6	Steve Smith Eccles	Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...	Stype Wood Stud
  1987	See You Then	7	Steve Smith Eccles	Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...	Stype Wood Stud
  1988	Celtic Shot	6	Peter Scudamore Peter Scudamore Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...	Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both...	David Horton
  1989	Beech Road	7	Richard Guest	Toby Balding Toby Balding Gerald Barnard Balding, Jr. OBE , known as Toby Balding, is a retired British racehorse trainer.-Biography:He was born in the United States where his father, Gerald Barnard Balding, Sr., ran a polo team and is part of a famous racing family. His brother, Ian Balding, also a retired trainer, trained...	Tony Geake
  1990	Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute...	6	Richard Dunwoody Richard Dunwoody Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider...	Michael Stoute Michael Stoute Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972...	Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
  1991	Morley Street	7	Jimmy Frost	Toby Balding Toby Balding Gerald Barnard Balding, Jr. OBE , known as Toby Balding, is a retired British racehorse trainer.-Biography:He was born in the United States where his father, Gerald Barnard Balding, Sr., ran a polo team and is part of a famous racing family. His brother, Ian Balding, also a retired trainer, trained...	Michael Jackson Bloodstock
  1992	Royal Gait	9	Graham McCourt	James Fanshawe James Fanshawe James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group 1 winner Soviet Song. However, he has twice won the Champion Hurdle in 1992 with Royal Gait James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group...	Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
  1993	Granville Again	7	Peter Scudamore Peter Scudamore Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...	Martin Pipe Martin Pipe Martin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....	Eric Scarth
  1994	Flakey Dove	8	Mark Dwyer Mark Dwyer Mark Dwyer is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....	Richard Price	John Price
  1995	Alderbrook Alderbrook Alderbrook was an entire horse who won the Champion Hurdle in 1995 and was runner up in 1996. He was the top rated Hurdler by Timeform in both 1995 and 1996 in their publication, Chasers & Hurdlers....	6	Norman Williamson Norman Williamson Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...	Kim Bailey	Ernie Pick
  1996	Collier Bay Collier Bay Collier Bay is a natural bay off the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-References:...	6	Graham Bradley	Jim Old	Wally Sturt
  1997	Make A Stand Make A Stand (horse) Make A Stand is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career which lasted from 1993 to 2000 he ran thirty times, both on the flat and over hurdles, and won twelve races...	6	Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....	Martin Pipe Martin Pipe Martin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....	Peter Deal
  1998	Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion...	6	Charlie Swan	Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....	J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into...
  1999	Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion...	7	Charlie Swan	Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....	J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into...
  2000	Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion...	8	Charlie Swan	Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....	J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into...
  2001	no race 2001
  2002	Hors La Loi III Hors La Loi III Hors La Loi III was a French-bred AQPS racehorse who won the 2002 Champion Hurdle. A dark bay gelding with a narrow blaze and white hind feet, he developed a reputation for being rather inconsistent, but was one of the most talented hurdlers of his era with a peak rating of 165.-Background:Hors La...	7	Dean Gallagher	James Fanshawe James Fanshawe James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group 1 winner Soviet Song. However, he has twice won the Champion Hurdle in 1992 with Royal Gait James Fanshawe is a British racehorse trainer.He principally trains flat horses such as multiple Group...	Paul Green
  2003	Rooster Booster Rooster Booster (horse) Rooster Booster was a British-bred thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2003 Champion Hurdle.-Background:Rooster Booster was a gelding whose grey coat and racing style made him easily recognisable. He was the only horse of any consequence produced by the unsuccessful racehorse...	9	Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (jockey) Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...	Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset....	Terry Warner
  2004	Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:...	7	Conor O'Dwyer	Dessie Hughes	Laurence Byrne
  2005	Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:...	8	Conor O'Dwyer	Dessie Hughes	Laurence Byrne
  2006	Brave Inca Brave Inca Brave Inca is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle.-Background:...	8	Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....	Colm Murphy	Novices Syndicate
  2007	Sublimity Sublimity (horse) Sublimity is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse whose Flat racing and hurdling career was highlighted in 2007 when he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...	7	Philip Carberry	John Carr	Bill Hennessy
  2008	Katchit Katchit Katchit is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, the peak of whose flat racing and hurdling career came in 2008 when, against the odds, he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...	5	Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey) Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King....	Alan King Alan King (horse racing) Alan King is a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at Barbury Castle stables near Wroughton, Wiltshire....	D S J P Syndicate
  2009	Punjabi Punjabi (horse) Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005...	6	Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in...	Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...	Raymond Tooth Raymond Tooth Raymond Clive Tooth is a matrimonial and family law lawyer and racehorse owner in the United Kingdom. He is renowned for representing the wives of male celebrities in high profile divorces.-Education and career:...
  2010	Binocular Binocular (horse) Binocular, foaled on March 17, 2004 in France, is a French thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Enrique and dam Bleu Ciel Et Blanc. He is owned by J. P. McManus and trained by Nicky Henderson. His primary jockey is Tony McCoy....	6	Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....	Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson Nicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...	J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into...
  2011	Hurricane Fly Hurricane Fly Hurricane Fly is a thoroughbred racehorse. The horse is owned by George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd and trained by Willie Mullins. On 15 March 2011, Hurricane Fly ridden by Ruby Walsh won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham....	7	Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:...	Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland...	Creighton / Boyd

The race was abandoned in 1931 due to frost.


It was not run in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.


The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.

See also

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