Long Walk Hurdle
Encyclopedia
The Long Walk 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 Ascot
over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (5,029 metres), and during its running there are fourteen hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in December.
The event is named after The Long Walk, an avenue of trees in Windsor Great Park
. It was first run in 1965, and it was initially a handicap race. It became a conditions race in 1971, and it was given Grade 1 status in 1990. Prior to the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse, which took place during the period 2004–06, the distance of the race was 3 miles and 1½ furlongs.
Since 1971, four winners of the Long Walk Hurdle have gone on to win the World Hurdle
in the same season – Derring Rose (1980–81), Baracouda
(2001–02), My Way de Solzen
(2005–06) and Big Buck's
(2009–10).
The race was abandoned in 1976 and 1991 because of frost, and in 1981 because of snow.
Due to the closure of Ascot Racecourse for redevelopment, the race was switched to Windsor
in 2004, and Chepstow
in 2005.
It took place at Newbury
in 2009 and 2010 after the original fixtures at Ascot were cancelled due to snow.
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 Ascot
Ascot 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...
over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (5,029 metres), and during its running there are fourteen hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in December.
The event is named after The Long Walk, an avenue of trees in Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park is a large deer park of , to the south of the town of Windsor on the border of Berkshire and Surrey in England. The park was, for many centuries, the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and dates primarily from the mid-13th century...
. It was first run in 1965, and it was initially a handicap race. It became a conditions race in 1971, and it was given Grade 1 status in 1990. Prior to the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse, which took place during the period 2004–06, the distance of the race was 3 miles and 1½ furlongs.
Since 1971, four winners of the Long Walk Hurdle have gone on to win 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...
in the same season – Derring Rose (1980–81), Baracouda
Baracouda
Baracouda was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November...
(2001–02), My Way de Solzen
My Way de Solzen
My Way De Solzen is 8 year bay gelding racing horse, who began his racing career trained in France by A. Lamotte D'Argy.-2004/5:He made his first start in 2 mile 1 furling chase at Dieppe, where he was pulled up...
(2005–06) and 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...
(2009–10).
Winners since 1971
- Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1971 St Patrick's Blue 6 Bill Smith David Tatlow 1972 Highland Abbe 6 Mr Richard Smith Les Kennard 1973 Soloning 8 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...1974 Go Bingo 5 David Munro Sam Hall 1975 Lanzarote 7 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...no race 1976 1977 John Cherry 6 Steve Smith Eccles Harry Thomson Jones Harry Thomson JonesHarry Thomson Jones , often known as Tom Jones, was a British racehorse trainer whose career lasted from 1951 to 1996...1978 Kelso Chant 6 Steve Charlton Jumbo Wilkinson 1979 John Cherry 8 Steve Smith Eccles Harry Thomson Jones Harry Thomson JonesHarry Thomson Jones , often known as Tom Jones, was a British racehorse trainer whose career lasted from 1951 to 1996...1980 Derring Rose 5 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...no race 1981 1982 Mayotte 7 Paul Richards Richard Holder 1983 Crimson Embers 8 Stuart Shilston 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....1984 Kristenson 7 Michael Williams Roger Fisher 1985 Misty Dale 7 Phil Tuck Jenny Pitman Jenny PitmanJenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...1986 Out of the Gloom 5 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...Reg Hollinshead 1987 Bluff Cove 5 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...Reg Hollinshead 1988 French Goblin 5 Peter Hobbs 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 Royal Athlete Royal AthleteRoyal Athlete was a British-bred racehorse, whose most famous victory was the 1995 Grand National at Aintree when ridden by 24-year-old Irishman, Jason Titley at the generous odds of 40/1....6 Dean Gallagher Jenny Pitman Jenny PitmanJenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...1990 Floyd Floyd (horse)Floyd was an English bred and English trained National Hunt racehorse sired by Relko. The horse was named after the english progressive rock band Pink Floyd....10 Graham Bradley David Elsworth David ElsworthDavid Elsworth is a horse trainer living in the United Kingdom. He is perhaps best known for being the trainer of Desert Orchid, 1988 Grand National winner Rhyme 'n' Reason and 1990 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Barnbrook Again - just three horses amongst a host of top-class performers over...no race 1991 1992 Vagog 7 Martin Foster 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 Hebridean 7 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...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....1995 Silver Wedge 4 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 1996 Ocean Hawk 4 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....1997 Paddy's Return 5 Norman Williamson Norman WilliamsonNorman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...Ferdy Murphy 1998 Princeful 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...Jenny Pitman Jenny PitmanJenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...1999 Anzum 8 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:...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....2000 Baracouda BaracoudaBaracouda was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November...5 Thierry Doumen François Doumen François DoumenFrançois Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977....2001 Baracouda BaracoudaBaracouda was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November...6 Thierry Doumen François Doumen François DoumenFrançois Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977....2002 Deano's Beeno 10 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....2003 Baracouda BaracoudaBaracouda was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November...8 Thierry Doumen François Doumen François DoumenFrançois Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977....2004 Baracouda BaracoudaBaracouda was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November...
9 Thierry Doumen François Doumen François DoumenFrançois Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977....2005 My Way de Solzen My Way de SolzenMy Way De Solzen is 8 year bay gelding racing horse, who began his racing career trained in France by A. Lamotte D'Argy.-2004/5:He made his first start in 2 mile 1 furling chase at Dieppe, where he was pulled up...
5 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....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 Lough Derg 7 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:...David Pipe David Pipe (racehorse trainer)The son of the prolific horseracing trainer Martin Pipe David Pipe is the trainer of the David Johnson owned Comply or Die, who ridden by Timmy Murphy won the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree racecourse....2008 Punchestowns 5 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...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...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 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....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 race was abandoned in 1976 and 1991 because of frost, and in 1981 because of snow.
Due to the closure of Ascot Racecourse for redevelopment, the race was switched to Windsor
Windsor Racecourse
Windsor Racecourse, also known as Royal Windsor Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Windsor, Berkshire, England. It is one of only two figure-of-eight courses in the United Kingdom, the other being at Fontwell Park. It abandoned National Hunt jump racing in December 1998,...
in 2004, and Chepstow
Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located just outside the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, Wales, near the southern end of the Wye Valley which forms the border with England...
in 2005.
It took place at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
in 2009 and 2010 after the original fixtures at Ascot were cancelled due to snow.