Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
Encyclopedia
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt
chase 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 110 yards (3,319 metres), and during its running there are fourteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival
in March.
, near Cheltenham. The race was discontinued in the 1860s, but it was revived at the turn of the century. During the early 1900s it took place at several different venues, including Melton Mowbray
, Leicester
and Warwick
. It returned to Cheltenham in 1913.
The name of Johnny Henderson (1920–2003), a banker and racehorse owner, was added to the race's title in 2005. Henderson, the father of trainer Nicky
, realised in the early 1960s that the racecourse at Cheltenham was attracting the interest of property developers. To safeguard its future, and that of the Festival, Henderson and other Jockey Club
members formed the Racecourse Holdings Trust, and raised £240,000 to purchase the venue.
The running order of the races at the Cheltenham Festival was altered slightly in 2009, and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is now the last event on the final day.
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
----
Leading jockey
since 1946 (4 wins):
----
Leading trainer
since 1946 (3 wins):
The race was cancelled in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow.
It was abandoned in 1975 due to waterlogging.
The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
Recurring sporting events established in 1834 – this race is included under its former title, Grand Annual 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...
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 2 miles and 110 yards (3,319 metres), and during its running there are fourteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and 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.
History
The Grand Annual is the oldest race at the Festival, and it is also the oldest chase in the present National Hunt calendar. It was first run in April 1834, and it was initially contested over three miles of open country at AndoversfordAndoversford
Andoversford is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England, about six miles east of Cheltenham. The parish had a population of 668 according to the 2001 census....
, near Cheltenham. The race was discontinued in the 1860s, but it was revived at the turn of the century. During the early 1900s it took place at several different venues, including Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham...
, Leicester
Leicester Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Oadby, Leicestershire, England.The course is oval shaped and nearly 2 miles in extent. It was opened ante 1773....
and Warwick
Warwick Racecourse
Warwick Racecourse is a horse racing course in Warwick, England. It is a leading flat racing and steeple chasing course, and has a programme of 25 meetings throughout the year, many of which are televised. The first stand was built in 1808, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its...
. It returned to Cheltenham in 1913.
The name of Johnny Henderson (1920–2003), a banker and racehorse owner, was added to the race's title in 2005. Henderson, the father of trainer Nicky
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...
, realised in the early 1960s that the racecourse at Cheltenham was attracting the interest of property developers. To safeguard its future, and that of the Festival, Henderson and other Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
members formed the Racecourse Holdings Trust, and raised £240,000 to purchase the venue.
The running order of the races at the Cheltenham Festival was altered slightly in 2009, and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is now the last event on the final day.
Records
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
- Top Twenty – 1958, 1959
- Dulwich – 1974, 1976
----
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 (4 wins):
- Graham Bradley – Pearlyman (1986), My Young Man (1992), Sound Reveille (1995), Uncle Ernie (1997)
----
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 (3 wins):
- Fulke WalwynFulke WalwynFulke 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....
– Loyal King (1946), Rose & Crown (1953), Richard of Bordeaux (1964)
Winners since 1946
- Weights given in stones and poundPound (mass)The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s; Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer 1946 Loyal King 6 11-12 Dan Moore Fulke Walwyn Fulke WalwynFulke 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....1947 Rope Trick Rope trickThe term rope trick can refer to more than one thing.* Any magic trick involving a rope** Indian rope trick, a trick involving causing a rope to appear to levitate in the air and then climbing up it; commonly associated with Indian fakirs...6 10-08 Tony Doyle Verly Bewicke 1948 Clare Man 7 10-03 Charlie Hook Walter Nightingall no race 1949 1950 Norborne 6 11-04 Eddie Reavey Geoffrey Champneys 1951 Merry Court 6 10-11 Tim Molony Tom Yates 1952 Marcianus 6 11-02 Tim Molony George Beeby George Beeby (horse racing)George Beeby was a British racehorse trainer. He was born in Leicestershire on 6 May 1904, the son of a noted horse dealer, and after a short riding career as an amateur began to train there in 1924. In 1936 he bought Hamilton House at Compton in Berkshire and trained there until his retirement in...1953 Rose & Crown 6 10-00 Johnny Bullock Fulke Walwyn Fulke WalwynFulke 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....1954 Hipparchus 5 10-01 Jack Dowdeswell Peter Rice-Stringer no race 1955 1956 Rosenkavalier 7 10-06 Harry Sprague Bob Turnell 1957 Sir Edmund 7 10-12 Bert Morrow Alec Kilpatrick 1958 Top Twenty 9 10-07 Francis Shortt Clem Magnier 1959 Top Twenty 10 12-06 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...Clem Magnier 1960 Monsieur Trois Etoiles 8 11-06 Frankie Carroll Jimmy Brogan 1961 Barberyn 6 11-00 Michael Scudamore Willie Stephenson 1962 Moretons 9 10-12 Bill Rees Peter Cazalet 1963 Anner Loch 8 10-06 David Nicholson David Nicholson (horse racing)David Nicholson was a British National Hunt jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons....John Hicks 1964 Richard of Bordeaux 9 11-03 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn Fulke WalwynFulke 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....1965 Fort Rouge 7 11-00 George Milburn Ken Oliver 1966 Well Packed 8 10-11 Tommy Stack Tommy StackTommy Stack is a former National Hunt racing jockey and current National Hunt trainer. As a jockey, he is probably best-known for piloting Red Rum to a third Grand National victory. Stack was National Hunt Champion Jockey for the 1974-75 and 1976-77 seasons. He got his first trainer's license in...Bobby Renton 1967 San Angelo 7 11-01 John Buckingham Edward Courage 1968 Hal's Farewell 7 10-10 Jeff King Peter Bailey 1969 All Glory 8 10-00 Mr Anthony Robinson John Edwards 1970 Fortina's Palace 7 11-11 Peter Jones Michael Scudamore 1971 Khan 7 10-08 Frankie Carroll Mick Burke 1972 Tudor Dance 6 10-02 Jeff King Bob Turnell 1973 Coolera Prince 8 10-10 Nigel Wakley Tim Handel 1974 Dulwich 7 10-01 Taffy Salaman Colin Davies no race 1975 1976 Dulwich 9 11-07 Bob Davies Colin Davies 1977 Tom Morgan 8 11-06 Tommy Stack Tommy StackTommy Stack is a former National Hunt racing jockey and current National Hunt trainer. As a jockey, he is probably best-known for piloting Red Rum to a third Grand National victory. Stack was National Hunt Champion Jockey for the 1974-75 and 1976-77 seasons. He got his first trainer's license in...Ken Oliver 1978 Young Arthur 9 11-04 Allen Webb Derek Kent 1979 Casbah 12 11-13 Graham Thorner Tim Forster 1980 Stopped 8 11-12 Ben de Haan 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 Friendly Alliance 8 10-07 John Francome John FrancomeJohn 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...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...1982 Reldis 8 10-00 Paul Barton David Gandolfo 1983 Churchfield Boy 7 10-00 Joe Byrne Michael Cunningham 1984 Mossy Moore 8 10-00 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...Brian Chinn 1985 Kathies Lad 8 11-10 Steve Smith Eccles Alan Jarvis 1986 Pearlyman 7 11-05 Graham Bradley John Edwards 1987 French Union 9 11-03 Richard Dunwoody Richard DunwoodyThomas 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...David Nicholson David Nicholson (horse racing)David Nicholson was a British National Hunt jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons....1988 Vodkatini 9 10-13 Richard Rowe Richard Rowe (horse racing)Richard Rowe is a National Hunt racehorse trainer and a former jockey in the United Kingdom.-Career as a jockey:* 1982 - Whitbread Gold Cup winner Shady Deal* 1988 - Scilly Isles Novices' Chase winner Yeoman Broker...Josh Gifford Josh GiffordJosh Gifford is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was a four-time Champion Jockey, riding 642 winners in his career....1989 Pukka Major 8 10-02 Peter Scudamore Peter ScudamorePeter 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...Tim Thomson Jones 1990 Katabatic 7 10-08 Hywel Davies Andrew Turnell 1991 Aldino 8 10-00 Jamie Osborne Jamie OsborneJamie Osborne is a jockey and race horse trainer. Born 28 August 1967 he rode his first winner in March 1986 and in 1999 obtained his trainers licence. Once a favourite of the Queen Mother, he was acquitted of race fixing in 1998.-References:...Oliver Sherwood 1992 My Young Man 7 11-10 Graham Bradley Charlie Brooks 1993 Space Fair 10 11-01 Adrian Maguire Adrian MaguireAdrian Maguire, born 29 April 1971 in Kilmessan, County Meath, Ireland, is a racehorse trainer and former jockey.Maguire began his career in Irish pony racing at the age of nine, in which he rode more than 200 winners. In 1990 he rode his first winner under rules, at Sligo, before his first victory...Richard Lee 1994 Snitton Lane 8 10-00 David Bridgwater William Clay 1995 Sound Reveille 7 10-10 Graham Bradley Charlie Brooks 1996 Kibreet 9 10-12 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....Philip Hobbs Philip HobbsPhilip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset....1997 Uncle Ernie 12 11-04 Graham Bradley Jimmy FitzGerald 1998 Edredon Bleu Edredon BleuEdredon Bleu was a popular National Hunt racehorse trained by Henrietta Knight in Great Britain. In 2000, he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase while ridden by 15-time champion jockey Tony McCoy. He also won the 2003 King George VI Chase and four renewals of the Peterborough Chase from 1998 to 2001....6 11-06 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....Henrietta Knight 1999 Space Trucker 8 10-01 Shay Barry Jessica Harrington 2000 Samakaan 7 10-11 Norman Williamson Norman WilliamsonNorman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...Venetia Williams Venetia WilliamsVenetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England....no race 2001 2002 Fadoudal du Cochet 9 10-00 David Casey Arthur Moore 2003 Palarshan 5 10-00 Mark Bradburne Henry Daly 2004 St Pirran 9 10-01 Ruby Walsh Ruby WalshRuby 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:...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 Fota Island 9 10-00 Paul Carberry Paul CarberryPaul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers...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...2006 Greenhope 8 10-11 Andrew Tinkler Nicky Henderson Nicky HendersonNicky 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...2007 Andreas 7 10-11 Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey)Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King....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...2008 Tiger Cry 10 10-06 Davy Russell Davy RussellDavy Russell is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. Russell's first win as a professional jockey was for English-based Irish trainer Ferdy Murphy on Inn Antique in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield, 12 November 2002...Arthur Moore 2009 Oh Crick 6 10-00 Wayne Hutchinson 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....2010 Pigeon Island 7 10-01 Paddy Brennan Paddy Brennan (jockey)Paddy Brennan, is an Irish jockey who rode the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.A native of Ardrahan, County Galway, Brennan was a keen GAA player with dreams of becoming a county hurler. He only became involved in horseracing after a neighbour noticed his talent with hunt horses...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 Oiseau de Nuit 9 10-13 Steven Clements Colin Tizzard
The race was cancelled in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow.
It was abandoned in 1975 due to waterlogging.
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 1834 – this race is included under its former title, Grand Annual Chase.