Whether you love seeing horses fly down a flat track or prefer exhilarating jumps, horse racing in the UK has something to keep just about everyone happy. For fans of the latter, in particular, the industry has one particularly special race: the Stayers’ Hurdle Race. Introduced to the Cheltenham Festival in 1972, the Stayers’ Hurdle Race is the ultimate test for hurdlers of all ranks and sizes.
Consider this article a primer for new and returning fans alike! From horses to know about, to famous jockeys, we have you covered.
History
While it was officially introduced to the championship in the early 1970s, the Stayers’ Hurdle Race has its roots in a much older race. The first instance of the Grade One National Hunt hurdle was back in 1912. Then called the ‘Stayers Selling Hurdle’, the race was run at Prestbury Park over a track of three miles. In 1946, the race transitioned into the Spa Hurdle. From 1946 to 1972, the race took place over the same three-mile stretch before being renamed the Stayers’ Hurdle Race. The change came in 1972 when Lloyds Bank sponsored the race.
A brief name change from 2005 to 2015 saw the Stayers’ Hurdle renamed the ‘World Hurdle’, but the name reverted in 2017. Today, the Stayers’ Hurdle Race takes place on the New Course and stands as one of the most venerable features of the Cheltenham Festival. It takes place in March on the third day of the festival. In terms of anticipation, the race is one of the most popular Cheltenham races for bettors.
Horses and Jockeys
At the heart of the Stayers’ Hurdle is an assortment of the sport’s best horses, trainers and jockeys. Some are returning favourites and others are relatively new to the competition, but all of them are incredibly talented. The top five horses in the race are:
- Teahupoo (Gordon Elliott)
- Home By The Lee (Joseph O’Brien)
- Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott)
- Langer Dan (Dan Skelton)
- Monmiral (Paul Nicholls)
As you can see, among these five are also the top four trainers in the competition:
- Gordon Elliott
- Joseph O’Brien
- Dan Skelton
- Paul Nicholls
Gordon Elliott
Gordon Elliott is one of the best trainers in the sport and has been for decades. With multiple Grand National, Royal Ascot and Gold Cup wins, he has the kind of detailed knowledge of the industry required for success. Not many trainers are still winning decades after their first race, but Elliott took home the gold in the Stayers’ Hurdle last year with horse Teahupoo.
He has had a similarly successful racing year since, and all eyes are on him as he races a total of four horses this year:
- Maxxum
- Stellar Story
- Teahupoo
- The Wallpark
We’ve tapped not just last year’s champion Teahupoo but also Stellar Story as favourites for this year’s competition.
Joseph O’Brien
Heading Carriganóg Racing, Joseph O’Brien is an exceptional trainer with racing in his blood. His grandfather, Joe Crowley, was also a successful jockey out of Owning Hill, as were his parents Aidan and Annemarie. The latter won Irish Champion National Hunt Trainers titles, and O’Brien’s aunt Frances also trained many winners from the yard.
O’Brien has won numerous titles, and this year is poised for a win with Home By The Lee. While the horse isn’t quite the favourite that Teahupoo is, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this team at the top.
Dan Skelton
Dan Skelton has decades of experience in horse racing. His family-run stables, established in 2013, are a testament to the trainer’s knowledge and dedication to the sport. He has raced 10 Cheltenham winners over the course of his career and seems to be improving every year. Racing Langer Dan, Skelton is a fan favourite at this year’s festival.
Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls is a name that any racing fan will recognise. He has been crowned Champion Trainer in National Hunt racing 14 times! This year, he is racing the highly anticipated Monmiral. Opinions differ on his potential placement in the Stayers’ Hurdle, but everyone agrees that he is a top contender to watch.
Stayers’ Hurdle Race Set to be Incredible
This year’s Stayers’ Hurdle Race is set to be an incredible show. From relatively new horses to returning champions, there is a lot to watch! Keep the horses and jockeys from this article in mind, and we’re sure that you’ll have an amazing time.
