Hurdle horse race in Britain
Horse race
County Handicap Hurdle
2024
Absurde
L'eau Du Sud
Pied Piper
Previous years
2023
Faivoir
Pied Piper
Filey Bay
2022
State Man
First Street
Colonel Mustard
2021
Belfast Banter
Petit Mouchoir
Milkwood
2020-2011
2020
Saint Roi
Aramon
Embittered
2019
Ch'tibello
We Have A Dream
Countister
2018
Mohaayed
Remiluc
Whiskey Sour
2017
Arctic Fire
L'Ami Serge
Ozzie The Oscar
2016
Superb Story
Fethard Player
Sternrubin
2015
Wicklow Brave
Sort It Out
Quick Jack
2014
Lac Fontana
Arctic Fire
Montbazon
2013
Ted Veale
Tennis Cap
Manyriverstocross
2012
Alderwood
Edgardo Sol
Sailors Warn
2011
Final Approach
Get Me Out of Here
Nearby
2010-2001
2010
Thousand Stars
Arcalis
Dee Ee Williams
2009
American Trilogy
Stradbrook
Cockney Trucker
2008
Silver Jaro
Psycho
French Saulaie
2007
Pedrobob
Ouninpohja
Premier Dane
2006
Desert Quest
Noble Request
Adamant Approach
2005
Fontanesi
Stance
Borora
2004
Sporazene
Hawadeth
Copeland
2003
Spirit Leader
Balapour
Through The Rye
2002
Rooster Booster
Landing Light
Geos
2000-1991
2000
Master Tern
Danegold
Spokesman
1999
Sir Talbot
Decoupage
Toto Toscato
1998
Blowing Wind
Advocat
Bless Me Sister
1997
Barna Boy
Carlito Brigante
Penny A Day
1996
Star Rage
Romancer
Non Vintage
1995
Home Counties
Family Way
Test match
1994
Dizzy
Diplomatic
Steel Dawn
1993
Thumbs Up
High Baron
Spinning
1992
Dusty Miller
Bank View
Viking Flagship
1991
Winnie The Witch
Celtic Bob
One For The Pot
1990-1988
1990
Moody Man
Smart Performer
Persillant
1989
Willsford
Travel Mystery
Fiefdom
1988
Cashew King
Sunbia
Rampallion
The County Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong (2 miles and 179 yards, or 3,382 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race , and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
History
The County Hurdle was established in 1920, and its inaugural winner was Trespasser, ridden by George Duller. Its title between 1995 and 2016 was the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle in honour of Vincent O'Brien , an Irish racehorse trainer who retired in 1994. During his career O'Brien recorded a total of twenty-three victories at the Cheltenham festival.
For many years the County Hurdle was traditionally the last race to be run at the Festival. However, a new running order was announced ahead of the 2009 meeting, and it is now the second race on the final day. The race held Grade 3 status until 2022 and was reclassified as a Premier Handicap from the 2023 running when Grade 3 was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority .[ 1]
Records
Most successful horse since 1946:
no horse has won this race more than once since 1946
Leading jockey since 1946 (4 wins):
Ruby Walsh – Sporazene (2004), Desert Quest (2006), American Trilogy (2009), Final Approach (2011)
Paul Townend - Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), State Man (2022), Absurde (2024)
Leading trainer since 1946 (7 wins):
Willie Mullins – Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), Saint Roi (2020), State Man (2022), Absurde (2024)
List of renewals
Date
Winner
SP
Age
Weight (st -lb )
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Runners
11-03-1920 1920, 11 March
Trespasser
1000.5714285714 4/7F
4
11-09
George Duller
J. M. Bell
P. Heybourn
8
[ 2]
3-03-1921 1921, 3 March
Water Bottle
1005 5/1
—
11–13
Fred Croney
Adam Scott
A. Scott
12
[ 3]
9-03-1922 1922, 9 March
Lukeston
1003.3333333333 100/30
—
12-02
Fred Rees
Harrison
E. Tattersall
7
[ 4]
7-03-1923 1923, 7 March
Assaroe
1006 6/1
—
11–10
Frank Brown[ a]
Newey
Stanley Howard
7
[ 5]
12-03-1924 1924, 12 March
Argo
1002 2/1F
—
11-08
George Duller
Coulthwaite
Lord Londesborough
13
[ 6]
11-03-1925 1925, 11 March
Rosecome
1014.2857142857 100/7
5
10-06
James East
W. McKie
A. Sanders
15
[ 7]
9-03-1926 1926, 9 March
Checktaker
1002.5 5/2F
5
11–11
George Duller
H. Harrison
Harrison
13
[ 8]
8-03-1927 1927, 8 March
Rolie
1007 7/1
6
11-06
Howard Cheshire
T. Rimell
T. Rimell
11
[ 9]
14-03-1928 1928, 14 March
Truthful James
1007 7/1
—
11-03
Billy Parvin
Captain Bay Powell
Milne
15
[ 10]
13-03-1929 1929, 13 March
Castlederg
1008 8/1
7
11-02
Fred Rees
Whitelaw
Whitelaw
14
[ 11]
12-03-1930 1930, 12 March
Gonedry
1004.5 9/2
8
10–11
Patrick Dennis
H. Dyke Dennis
Pellerin
15
[ 12]
01-01-1931 no race 1931 [ b]
3-03-1932 1932, 3 March
Fouquet
1002.75 11/4
5
10-00
Billy Stott
F. Wootton
S. Wootton
10
[ 13]
9-03-1933 1933, 9 March
Hightide IV.
1020 20/1
7
11-03
Gerry Wilson
Bullock
T. Richardson
13
[ 14]
8-03-1934 1934, 8 March
Jack Grange
1008 8/1
5
10-00
William Hollick
Barthropp
Sir A. McAlpine
17
[ 15]
14-03-1935 1935, 14 March
Polly Stephens
1002 2/1F
8
11-00
Staff Ingham
Cundell
Rieb
15
[ 16]
12-03-1936 1936, 12 March
Back Isle
1007 7/1
8
11-03
Fulke Walwyn [ a]
Roberts
C. Jones
21
[ 17]
01-01-1937 no race 1937 [ b]
10-03-1938 1938, 10 March
Prince Rouge
1010 10/1
8
10–12
J. Prendergast[ a]
W. Stubbs
Mrs D. Thomas
17
[ 18]
9-03-1939 1939, 9 March
Abbot's Own
1006.5 13/2
8
12-01
Frenchie Nicholson
O'Sullivan
Mrs E. Scott
17
[ 19]
20-03-1940 1940, 20 March
Sam Brown
1006 6/1
6
11-01
Fred Rimell
trained privately
M. C. Willes
10
[ 20]
20-03-1941 1941, 20 March
Celibate II
1007 7/1
9
11-04
William Hollick
David Dick
Mrs D. P. Dick
19
[ 21]
21-03-1942 1942, 21 March
Red April
1012.5 100/8
5
11–13
Eric Foley
Stalbridge
M. Jones
21
[ 22]
01-01-1943 no race 1943–45 [ c]
14-03-1946 1946, 14 March
Vidi
1006 6/1
5
11–10
Don Butchers
Reg Hobbs
A. E. Saunders
27
[ 23]
01-01-1947 no race 1947 [ d]
4-03-1948 1948, 4 March
Cape Light
1002 2/1F
5
11-01
Joe Maguire
Ivor Anthony
—
21
[ 24]
01-01-1949 no race 1949 [ e]
9-03-1950 1950, 9 March
Blue Raleigh
1025 25/1
7
10-00
Jimmy Power
Bobby Renton
Mrs L. Brotherton
19
[ 25]
25-04-1951 1951, 25 April
Southwick
1014.2857142857 100/7
7
10-03
George Spann
J. Whiting
—
21
[ 26]
6-03-1952 1952, 6 March
Ballymacan
1014.2857142857 100/7
5
10–12
Bryan Marshall
Neville Crump
H. D. Waddington
20
[ 27]
5-03-1953 1953, 5 March
Teapot II
1004 4/1
8
12-07
Pat Taaffe
Clem Magnier
—
16
[ 28]
1954
Bold Baby
8
12-00
Paddy Powell
Michael Dawson
01-01-1955 no race 1955 [ e]
1956
Pommel
9
10–11
Steve Boddy
John Waugh
1957
Flaming East
8
10-05
Peter Pickford
Ricky Vallance
1958
Friendly Boy
6
10-05
Liam Brennan
Joe Osborne
1959
Approval
13
11-02
Derek Leslie
Syd Mercer
1960
Albergo
6
12-05
Doug Page
Clem Magnier
1961
Most Unusual
6
10-07
Josh Gifford
Bill Ransom
1962
Sky Pink
5
10–11
Fred Winter
Ryan Price
1963
Bahrain
6
10-06
Tommy Carberry
Dan Moore
1964
Icy Wonder
5
10-02
Jeff King
Vernon Cross
1965
Mayfair Bill
6
10-04
Andrew Turnell
Bob Turnell
1966
Roaring Twenties
6
11-02
George Milburn
Ken Oliver
1967
Cool Alibi
5
10-09
Roddy Reid
Rodney Bower
1968
Jolly Signal
6
10–11
Jimmy Uttley
Earl Jones
1969
Gay Knight
5
10-03
Aly Branford
Les Kennard
1970
Khan
6
09-11
Lord Petersham[ a]
Delmer Harty
1971
Carry Off
7
10-01
David Goulding
Nigel Angus
1972
Cold Day
6
10-08
Ron Hyett
Katie Gaze
1973
Current Romance
7
10-07
David Nicholson
Frenchie Nicholson
1974
True Song
5
11-02
Gary Old
Donald Underwood
01-01-1975 no race 1975 [ f]
1976
Java Fox
6
10-01
George Jones [ a]
Roy Cambidge
1977
Kilcoleman
5
10-07
Tommy Kinane
Billy Boyers
01-01-1978 no race 1978 [ f]
1979
Monte Ceco
6
10–12
Colin Tinkler
Fred Rimell
1980
Prince of Bermuda
5
10-00
Steve Knight
Bob Turnell
1981
Staplestown
6
10-07
Tommy Ryan
Edward O'Grady
1982
Path of Peace
6
10-06
Jonjo O'Neill
Chris Thornton
1983
Robin Wonder
5
10-03
Jeff Davies
David Elsworth
1984
Hill's Guard
5
10–11
Andrew Stringer
Andrew Scott
1985
Floyd
5
10-05
Colin Brown
David Elsworth
1986
Jobroke
6
10-03
Jonjo O'Neill
Peter Easterby
1987
Neblin
8
11-00
Richard Guest
Toby Balding
17-03-1988 1988, 17 March
Cashew King
1009 9/1
5
10-04
Trevor Wall
Bryan McMahon
Mrs J A Wall
24
[ 29]
16-03-1989 1989, 16 March
Willsford
1011 11/1
6
10-08
Michael Bowlby
Jenny Pitman
A M Kaplan
21
[ 30]
15-03-1990 1990, 15 March
Moody Man
1009 9/1
5
11-02
Peter Hobbs
Philip Hobbs
James Burley
20
[ 31]
14-03-1991 1991, 14 March
Winnie the Witch
1033 33/1
7
09-08
David Bridgwater
Ken Bridgwater
Paddocks Thoroughbred Racing Ltd
26
[ 32]
12-03-1992 1992, 12 March
Dusty Miller
1009 9/1
6
10-06
Jamie Osborne
Simon Sherwood
Watership Down Racing
27
[ 33]
18-03-1993 1993, 18 March
Thumbs Up
1016 16/1
7
10-02
Richard Dunwoody
Nicky Henderson
Michael Buckley
21
[ 34]
17-03-1994 1994, 17 March
Dizzy
1012 12/1
6
10-00
Tony Dobbin
Peter Monteith
Lt-Col W L Monteith
24
[ 35]
16-03-1995 1995, 16 March
Home Counties
1014 14/1
6
10–12
James Moffatt
Dudley Moffatt
Roxy Cinemas (dalton)
23
[ 36]
14-03-1996 1996, 14 March
Star Rage
1014 14/1
6
10-00
Dean Gallagher
Jimmy Harris
J David Abell
28
[ 37]
13-03-1997 1997, 13 March
Barna Boy
1014 14/1
9
10–12
Richard Dunwoody
Nicky Henderson
Lynn Wilson
20
[ 38]
19-03-1998 1998, 19 March
Blowing Wind
1001.875 15/8F
5
11-08
Tony McCoy
Martin Pipe
P A Deal
27
[ 39]
18-03-1999 1999, 18 March
Sir Talbot
1010 10/1
5
10-00
Timmy Murphy
Jim Old
W E Sturt
28
[ 40]
16-03-2000 2000, 16 March
Master Tern
1004.5 9/2F
5
10-03
Tony Dobbin
Jonjo O'Neill
John P McManus
21
[ 41]
01-01-2001 no race 2001 [ g]
14-03-2002 2002, 14 March
Rooster Booster
1008 8/1
8
11-01
Richard Johnson
Philip Hobbs
Terry Warner
21
[ 42]
13-03-2003 2003, 13 March
Spirit Leader
1010 10/1
7
11-07
Barry Geraghty
Jessica Harrington
D Thompson
28
[ 43]
18-03-2004 2004, 18 March
Sporazene
1007 7/1J
5
10–13
Ruby Walsh
Paul Nicholls
Ged Mason & David Jackson
23
[ 44]
18-03-2005 2005, 18 March
Fontanesi
1016 16/1
5
10–10
Timmy Murphy
Martin Pipe
The Johnson Family
30
[ 45]
17-03-2006 2006, 17 March
Desert Quest
1004 4/1J
6
10–10
Ruby Walsh
Paul Nicholls
Mrs M Findlay
29
[ 46]
16-03-2007 2007, 16 March
Pedrobob
1012 12/1
9
10-00
Philip Carberry
Tony Mullins
Barry Connell
28
[ 47]
14-03-2008 2008, 14 March
Silver Jaro
1050 50/1
5
10–13
Noel Fehily
Tom Hogan
Miss M A Masterson
22
[ 48]
13-03-2009 2009, 13 March
American Trilogy
1020 20/1
5
11-00
Ruby Walsh
Paul Nicholls
Fulton,Donlon,Kilduff & Scott-MacDonald
27
[ 49]
19-03-2010 2010, 19 March
Thousand Stars
1020 20/1
6
10-05
Katie Walsh [ a]
Willie Mullins
Hammer & Trowel Syndicate
28
[ 50]
18-03-2011 2011, 18 March
Final Approach
1010 10/1
5
10–12
Ruby Walsh
Willie Mullins
Douglas Taylor
26
[ 51]
16-03-2012 2012, 16 March
Alderwood
1020 20/1
8
11-01
Tony McCoy
Thomas Mullins
John P McManus
26
[ 52]
15-03-2013 2013, 15 March
Ted Veale
1010 10/1
6
10-06
Bryan Cooper
Tony Martin
John Breslin
28
[ 53]
14-03-2014 2014, 14 March
Lac Fontana
1011 11/1
5
10–11
Daryl Jacob
Paul Nicholls
Potensis Limited
28
[ 54]
13-03-2015 2015, 13 March
Wicklow Brave
1025 25/1
6
11-04
Paul Townend
Willie Mullins
Wicklow Bloodstock Limited
24
[ 55]
18-03-2016 2016, 18 March
Superb Story
1008 8/1
5
10–12
Harry Skelton
Dan Skelton
Holt, Robinson, Taylor & Miller
26
[ 56]
17-03-2017 2017, 17 March
Arctic Fire
1020 20/1
8
11–12
Paul Townend
Willie Mullins
Wicklow Bloodstock Limited
26
16-03-2018 2018, 16 March
Mohaayed
1033 33/1
6
10–08
Bridget Andrews
Dan Skelton
Mrs June Watts
24
15-03-2019 2019, 15 March
Ch'tibello
1012 12/1
8
11-05
Harry Skelton
Dan Skelton
Can't Say No Partnership
24
13-03-2020 2020, 13 March
Saint Roi
1005.5 11/2
5
10-13
Barry Geraghty
Willie Mullins
John P McManus
23
19-03-2021 2021, 19 March
Belfast Banter
1033 33/1
6
10-00
Kevin Sexton
Peter Fahey
Direct Bloodstock Ltd
23
18-03-2022 2022, 18 March
State Man
1002.75 11/4F
5
11-01
Paul Townend
Willie Mullins
Mrs J Donnelly
26
17-03-2023 2023, 17 March
Faivoir
1033 33/1
8
10-07
Bridget Andrews
Dan Skelton
Mrs S Lawrence
24
15-03-2024 2024, 15 March
Absurde
1012 12/1
6
10-10
Paul Townend
Willie Mullins
H O S Syndicate
17
^ a b c d e f amateur jockey
^ a b The race was abandoned in 1931 because of frost, and in 1937 because of flooding
^ It was cancelled in 1943–45 because of World War II
^ The 1947 edition was abandoned because of snow and frost
^ a b It was cancelled in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow
^ a b The race was abandoned in 1975 due to waterlogging, and in 1978 because of snow.
^ The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
See also
References
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Discontinued