Liverpool Hurdle
Encyclopedia
The Liverpool 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 Aintree
over a distance of about 3 miles and 110 yards (4,929 metres), and during its running there are thirteen hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early April.
. During the first part of its history it was called the Long Distance Hurdle, and it was initially contested over 3 miles. For a period it was classed at Grade 2 level.
The race was transferred to Aintree in 2004, and since then it has been named after the nearby city of Liverpool
. Its original distance has been extended by 110 yards.
The Liverpool Hurdle was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010, and it is currently the first race on the opening day of the three-day Grand National
meeting.
The field usually includes horses which ran previously in the World Hurdle
, and the last to win both races in the same year was Big Buck's
in 2011.
Most successful horse (3 wins):
----
Leading jockey
(5 wins):
----
Leading trainer
(5 wins):
The 1989 running was abandoned because of snow.
Recurring sporting events established in 1974 – this race is included under its original title, Long Distance Hurdle.
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. It is run at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
over a distance of about 3 miles and 110 yards (4,929 metres), and during its running there are thirteen hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early April.
History
The event was established in 1974, and it was originally held at AscotAscot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
. During the first part of its history it was called the Long Distance Hurdle, and it was initially contested over 3 miles. For a period it was classed at Grade 2 level.
The race was transferred to Aintree in 2004, and since then it has been named after the nearby city of Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. Its original distance has been extended by 110 yards.
The Liverpool Hurdle was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010, and it is currently the first race on the opening day of the three-day Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
meeting.
The field usually includes horses which ran previously in the World Hurdle
World Hurdle
The World 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 on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped...
, and the last to win both races in the same year was Big Buck's
Big Buck's
Big Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...
in 2011.
Records
Most successful horse (3 wins):
- Big Buck'sBig Buck'sBig Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...
– 2009, 2010, 2011
----
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:...
(5 wins):
- Peter ScudamorePeter 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...
– Gaye Chance (1982), Bajan Sunshine (1985), Gaye Brief (1986), Mrs Muck (1987), Pragada (1992)
----
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):
- Martin PipeMartin PipeMartin 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....
– Pragada (1992), Sweet Glow (1994), Galant Moss (1999), Maid Equal (2001), Deano's Beeno (2003)
Winners
- Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1974 Moyne Royal 9 Jeff King Arthur Pitt 1975 Lanzarote 7 Richard Pitman Richard PitmanRichard 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...1976 Good Prospect 7 Andrew Turnell John Edwards 1977 Mark Henry 6 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...Bill Elsey 1978 Flame Gun 6 Mr Niall Madden Edward O'Grady 1979 Prominent King 7 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...Peter Easterby Peter EasterbyMiles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....1980 Derring Rose 5 Andrew Turnell Alan Jarvis 1981 Shell Burst 6 Hywel Davies Les Kennard 1982 Gaye Chance 7 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...Mercy Rimell 1983 Sandalay 5 Paul Charlton Peter Cundell 1984 Alastor O Mavros 5 Hywel Davies 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....1985 Bajan Sunshine 6 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...Martin Tate 1986 Gaye Brief 9 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...Mercy Rimell 1987 Mrs Muck 6 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...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....1988 Gaye Brief 11 Dermot Browne Mercy Rimell no race 1989 1990 Battalion 6 Ben de Haan Charlie Brooks 1991 Mole Board 9 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:...Jim Old 1992 Pragada 9 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...Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin 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....1993 Sweet Duke 6 Carl Llewellyn 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....1994 Sweet Glow 7 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...Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin 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....1995 Cab on Target 9 Peter Niven Mary Reveley 1996 Pleasure Shared 8 Warren Marston 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 Trainglot 10 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...Jimmy FitzGerald 1998 Marello 7 Peter Niven Mary Reveley 1999 Galant Moss 5 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin 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....2000 Teaatral 6 Dean Gallagher Charles Egerton 2001 Maid Equal 10 Mr Tom Scudamore Tom ScudamoreTom Scudamore is a third-generation British flat and steeplechase jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National on Oxo in 1959.-Background:...Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin 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....2002 Spendid 10 Warren Marston 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....2003 Deano's Beeno 11 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin 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....2004 Iris's Gift Iris's GiftIris's Gift was a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Jonjo O'Neill.He made his racecourse debut in August 2001, where won a National Hunt flat race at Worcester Racecourse. He followed that up with another success at the same track the following month, before winning a Grade 2 National...7 Barry Geraghty Barry GeraghtyBarry 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...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...2005 Monet's Garden Monet's GardenMonet's Garden is a retired racehorse. Born in April 1998, he was a winner in 17 of his 32 starts, being placed second four times and third on two other occasions, earning £683,265 total prize money...7 Tony Dobbin Tony DobbinTony Dobbin is a retired Northern Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He rode the winner of the Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997 and won over 1,200 races during his career in the saddle. He was the regular stable jockey for Nicky Richards...Nicky Richards Nicky RichardsNicholas Gordon Richards is a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Greystoke, near Penrith, Cumbria, England...2006 Mighty Man 6 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:...Henry Daly 2007 Mighty Man 7 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:...Henry Daly 2008 Blazing Bailey 6 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....2009 Big Buck's Big Buck'sBig Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...6 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...2010 Big Buck's Big Buck'sBig Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...7 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...2011 Big Buck's Big Buck'sBig Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...8 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...
The 1989 running was abandoned because of snow.
See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British National Hunt races
Recurring sporting events established in 1974 – this race is included under its original title, Long Distance Hurdle.