Christie's Foxhunter Chase
Encyclopedia
The Christie's Foxhunter Chase is a National Hunt
chase in Great Britain
for amateur riders 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 (5,331 metres), and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival
in March.
The event is contested over the same course and distance as the Cheltenham Gold Cup
, and it is sometimes referred to as the "amateur Gold Cup". It was established in 1904, and the inaugural running was won by Palmy Boy. It was backed by the insurance company Sun Alliance and London in 1972 and 1973, and for the following five years it was run without a sponsor. The art auctioneers Christie's
began supporting the race in 1979.
Qualification for entry in the Foxhunter Chase is based on a horse's previous performances in certain types of race within a specific period. To be eligible a horse must have finished first or second twice in hunter chases, or have won two open point-to-point races, or have won one open point-to-point race and finished first or second in a hunter chase.
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
----
Leading jockey
since 1946 (2 wins):
----
Leading trainer
since 1946 (4 wins):
The race was abandoned in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow.
The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
Recurring sporting events established in 1904 – this race is included under the title Foxhunter Chase.
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...
chase 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...
for amateur riders 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 five years or older. It is run on the New 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 3 miles and 2½ furlongs (5,331 metres), and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year during 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.
The event is contested over the same course and distance as 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...
, and it is sometimes referred to as the "amateur Gold Cup". It was established in 1904, and the inaugural running was won by Palmy Boy. It was backed by the insurance company Sun Alliance and London in 1972 and 1973, and for the following five years it was run without a sponsor. The art auctioneers Christie's
Christie's
Christie's is an art business and a fine arts auction house.- History :The official company literature states that founder James Christie conducted the first sale in London, England, on 5 December 1766, and the earliest auction catalogue the company retains is from December 1766...
began supporting the race in 1979.
Qualification for entry in the Foxhunter Chase is based on a horse's previous performances in certain types of race within a specific period. To be eligible a horse must have finished first or second twice in hunter chases, or have won two open point-to-point races, or have won one open point-to-point race and finished first or second in a hunter chase.
Records
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
- The Callant – 1956, 1957
- Whinstone Hill – 1958, 1960 Master – 1961, 1962
- Double Silk – 1993, 1994
- Fantus – 1995, 1997
- Earthmover – 1998, 2004
----
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:...
since 1946 (2 wins):
- John Scott-Aiton – The Callant (1956, 1957)
- Bobby Brewis – Whinstone Hill (1958, 1960)
- John Thorne – Some Baby (1959), Spartan Missile (1979)
- Laurie MorganLawrence MorganLawrence "Laurie" Morgan was an Australian sportsman who is the only person to play VFL/AFL football and win an Olympic Gold Medal...
– Master (1961, 1962) - Dick Woodhouse – Woodside Terrace (1965), Highworth (1970)
- Richard Shepherd – Straight Lady (1966), Long Lane (1977)
- Oliver Sherwood – Rolls Rambler (1980), Venture to Cognac (1984)
- Ron Treloggen – Double Silk (1993, 1994)
----
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...
since 1946 (4 wins):
- Richard Barber – Rushing Wild (1992), Fantus (1995, 1997), Earthmover (1998)
Winners since 1946
- All amateur jockeys.
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1946 Iloilo 9 Harry Freeman-Jackson Harry Freeman-Jackson 1947 Lucky Purchase 9 John Nichols Sidney Banks 1948 State Control 8 Harry Llewellyn Harry LlewellynSir Harry Morton Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, CBE was a British equestrian champion. He was born in Aberdare, South Wales, the son of a colliery owner, Sir David Llewellyn, 1st Baronet.- Background :...Harry Llewellyn Harry LlewellynSir Harry Morton Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, CBE was a British equestrian champion. He was born in Aberdare, South Wales, the son of a colliery owner, Sir David Llewellyn, 1st Baronet.- Background :...no race 1949 1950 Greenwood 13 John Stuart-Evans J. T. Evans 1951 Halloween 6 Dickie Smalley Bill Wightman 1952 Parasol II 7 Ivor Kerwood A. Walton 1953 Dunboy II (DH Tie (draw)To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
)9 Charlie Scott P. Bruce 1953 Merry (DH Tie (draw)To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
)13 Gay Kindersley Alec Kerr 1954 Happymint 9 Danny Moralee Stewart Wight no race 1955 1956 The Callant 8 John Scott-Aiton Stewart Wight 1957 The Callant 9 John Scott-Aiton Stewart Wight 1958 Whinstone Hill 9 Bobby Brewis Bobby Brewis 1959 Some Baby 10 John Thorne Tim Rootes 1960 Whinstone Hill 11 Bobby Brewis Bobby Brewis 1961 hide=y 11 Laurie Morgan Lawrence MorganLawrence "Laurie" Morgan was an Australian sportsman who is the only person to play VFL/AFL football and win an Olympic Gold Medal...Laurie Morgan Lawrence MorganLawrence "Laurie" Morgan was an Australian sportsman who is the only person to play VFL/AFL football and win an Olympic Gold Medal...1962 hide=y 12 Laurie Morgan Lawrence MorganLawrence "Laurie" Morgan was an Australian sportsman who is the only person to play VFL/AFL football and win an Olympic Gold Medal...Laurie Morgan Lawrence MorganLawrence "Laurie" Morgan was an Australian sportsman who is the only person to play VFL/AFL football and win an Olympic Gold Medal...1963 Grand Morn II 9 R. Bloomfield G. Shepheard 1964 Freddie 7 Alan Mactaggart Reg Tweedie 1965 Woodside Terrace 12 Dick Woodhouse Dick Woodhouse 1966 Straight Lady 10 Richard Shepherd William Shepherd 1967 Mulbarton 11 Nick Gaselee Ian Pattullo 1968 Bright Beach 8 Charlie Macmillan Geordie Dun 1969 Queens Guide 8 G. Wade Willie Wade 1970 Highworth 11 Dick Woodhouse Dick Woodhouse 1971 Hope Again 9 Richard Smith Denis Windell 1972 Credit Call 8 Chris Collins Arthur Stephenson 1973 Bullocks Horn 10 Lord Oaksey John Lawrence, 2nd Baron OakseyJohn Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence, 4th Baron Trevethin, 2nd Baron Oaksey is a British aristocrat, horse racing journalist and television commentator/presenter, and former amateur jockey. He is the son of the noted jurist Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey. He prefers to be called Oaksey although...Bob Turnell 1974 Corrie Burn 8 Ian Williams George Fairbairn 1975 Real Rascal 12 George Hyatt Barbara Surman 1976 False Note 10 Bryan Smart John Horton 1977 Long Lane 9 Richard Shepherd Richard Shepherd 1978 Timmie's Battle 7 Peter Greenall Arthur Stephenson 1979 Spartan Missile 7 John Thorne John Thorne 1980 Rolls Rambler 9 Oliver Sherwood 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...1981 Grittar 8 Dick Saunders Frank Gilman 1982 The Drunken Duck 9 Brod Munro-Wilson Brod Munro-Wilson 1983 Eliogarty 8 Caroline Beasley Barry Kelly 1984 Venture to Cognac 11 Oliver Sherwood 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...1985 Elmboy 7 Alan Hill Norman Mawle Norman MawleLieutenant Norman William Reginald Mawle was a British World War I flying ace. He was credited with 12 official aerial victories during the First World War...1986 Attitude Adjuster 6 Ted Walsh Ted WalshTed Walsh is an amateur jockey turned racehorse trainer, based in Kill, County Kildare, Ireland. He was born and raised in Co. Cork. As a rider, one of his most important wins was on Attitude Adjuster in the 1986 Cheltenham Festival Foxhunter Chase...Mouse Morris Mouse MorrisMichael 'Mouse' Morris is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey.As a jockey he rode Skymas to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1976 and 1977 and Billycan to win the 1977 Irish Grand National, while his most notable successes as a trainer have come with Buck House in the 1983 Supreme...1987 Observe 11 Charlie Brooks 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...1988 Certain Light 10 Paul Hacking Jean Campbell 1989 Three Counties 12 Katie Rimell Mercy Rimell 1990 Call Collect 9 Ray Martin John Parkes 1991 Lovely Citizen 8 Willie O'Sullivan Eugene M. O'Sullivan 1992 Rushing Wild 7 Justin Farthing Richard Barber 1993 Double Silk 9 Ron Treloggen Reg Wilkins 1994 Double Silk 10 Ron Treloggen Reg Wilkins 1995 Fantus 8 Polly Curling Richard Barber 1996 Elegant Lord 8 Enda Bolger Enda Bolger 1997 Fantus 10 Tim Mitchell Richard Barber 1998 Earthmover 7 Joe Tizzard Richard Barber 1999 Castle Mane 7 Ben Pollock Caroline Bailey 2000 Cavalero 11 Alex Charles-Jones John Manners no race 2001 2002 Last Option 10 Fiona Needham Robin Tate 2003 Kingscliff 6 Richard Young Sally Alner 2004 Earthmover 13 Rilly Goschen Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing)Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money...2005 Sleeping Night 9 Colman Sweeney Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls (horse racing)Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money...2006 Whyso Mayo 9 Damien Murphy Raymond Hurley 2007 Drombeag 9 J. T. McNamara Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'NeillJonjo 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...2008 Amicelli 9 Oliver Greenall Cherry Coward 2009 Cappa Bleu 7 Richard Burton Sheila Crow 2010 Baby Run 10 Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-DaviesNigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....2011 Zemsky 8 Derek O'Connor Ian Ferguson
The race was abandoned in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow.
The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British National Hunt races
Recurring sporting events established in 1904 – this race is included under the title Foxhunter Chase.