Triumph Hurdle
Encyclopedia
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt
hurdle race
in Great Britain
which is open to horses
aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham
over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong (3,420 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice
hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival
in March.
It is the leading event in the National Hunt calendar to be exclusively contested by juveniles, and it is the opening race on the final day of the Festival.
in Surrey. During the early part of its history it was regularly contested by horses trained in France – six of the first seven winners were French-based. The flat racing
jockey Lester Piggott
achieved one of his twenty hurdle victories in this race in 1954.
The Triumph Hurdle was transferred to Cheltenham in 1965, and for a period thereafter it was sponsored by the Daily Express
. It was initially held during the venue's April meeting, but it became part of the Festival in 1968. The Elite Racing Club
took over the sponsorship in 1997, and JCB
became the sponsor in 2002.
Winners of the Triumph Hurdle often go on to compete in subsequent editions of the Champion Hurdle
. Four horses have achieved victory in both events – Clair Soleil, Persian War, Kribensis
and Katchit
.
Leading jockey
(3 wins):
----
Leading trainer
(5 wins):
The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
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. 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 1 furlong (3,420 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice
Novice (racehorse)
A novice in National Hunt horse racing is a horse which has not won in a particular type of race prior to the start of the current season. A novice hurdler has not won a hurdle race before the start of the current season, while a novice chaser has not won a steeplechase before the start of the...
hurdlers, 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.
It is the leading event in the National Hunt calendar to be exclusively contested by juveniles, and it is the opening race on the final day of the Festival.
History
The event was established in 1939, and it was originally held at Hurst ParkHurst Park Racecourse
Hurst Park Racecourse was a racecourse at Moulsey Hurst, West Molesey, Surrey. It was first laid out in 1890 and sold for residential housing in 1962. The Triumph Hurdle was run here from 1939 until the course closed. The last race to be held here was the Byfleet Stakes, the 4.30 on Wednesday 10...
in Surrey. During the early part of its history it was regularly contested by horses trained in France – six of the first seven winners were French-based. The flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
jockey Lester Piggott
Lester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
achieved one of his twenty hurdle victories in this race in 1954.
The Triumph Hurdle was transferred to Cheltenham in 1965, and for a period thereafter it was sponsored by the Daily Express
Daily Express
The Daily Express switched from broadsheet to tabloid in 1977 and was bought by the construction company Trafalgar House in the same year. Its publishing company, Beaverbrook Newspapers, was renamed Express Newspapers...
. It was initially held during the venue's April meeting, but it became part of the Festival in 1968. The Elite Racing Club
Elite Racing Club
Elite Racing Club is a horse racing club.In 1992, the owner of Elite Registrations, Tony Hill, purchased a racehorse as an advertising tool for Elite Registrations, calling the racehorse “Elite Reg”...
took over the sponsorship in 1997, and JCB
J. C. Bamford
JCB is a global construction, demolition and agricultural equipment company headquartered in Rocester, United Kingdom. It is the world's third-largest construction equipment manufacturer. It produces over 300 types of machines, including diggers , excavators, tractors and diesel engines...
became the sponsor in 2002.
Winners of the Triumph Hurdle often go on to compete in subsequent editions of the Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
. Four horses have achieved victory in both events – Clair Soleil, Persian War, Kribensis
Kribensis (horse)
Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute...
and Katchit
Katchit
Katchit is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, the peak of whose flat racing and hurdling career came in 2008 when, against the odds, he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...
.
Records
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:...
(3 wins):
- Jimmy Uttley – Persian War (1967), England's Glory (1968), Boxer (1971)
- Barry GeraghtyBarry 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...
– Spectroscope (2003), Zaynar (2009), Soldatino (2010)
----
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):
- Nicky HendersonNicky 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...
– First Bout (1985), Alone Success (1987), Katarino (1999), Zaynar (2009), Soldatino (2010)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
| 1939 | Grey Talk | Serge Rochet | George Batchelor |
| no race 1940–49 | |||
| 1950 | Abrupto | Roger Mantelin | E. Diggle |
| 1951 | Blue Song II | Fernand Thirion | Georges Pelat |
| 1952 | Hoggar | Roger Triboit | John Cunnington |
| 1953 | Clair Soleil | 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... |
François Mathet |
| 1954 | Prince Charlemagne | Lester Piggott Lester Piggott Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time.... |
Tommy Carey |
| 1955 | Kwannin | Pierre Delfarguiel | Alec Head Alec Head Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very... |
| 1956 | Square Dance | Michael Scudamore | Fulke Walwyn Fulke Walwyn Fulke 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.... |
| 1957 | Meritorius | Denis Dillon | Peter Thrale |
| 1958 | Pundit | Harry Sprague | Staff Ingham |
| 1959 | Amazon's Choice | Johnny Gilbert | Peter Thrale |
| 1960 | Turpial | Arthur Freeman | Peter Cazalet |
| 1961 | Cantab | 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... |
Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he... |
| 1962 | Beaver II | Josh Gifford Josh Gifford Josh Gifford is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was a four-time Champion Jockey, riding 642 winners in his career.... |
Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he... |
| no race 1963–64 | |||
| 1965 | Blarney Beacon | Geordie Ramshaw | Ron Smyth |
| 1966 | Black Ice | Bobby Beasley | Arthur Thomas |
| 1967 | Persian War | Jimmy Uttley | Brian Swift |
| 1968 | England's Glory | Jimmy Uttley | Staff Ingham |
| 1969 | Coral Diver | Terry Biddlecombe Terry Biddlecombe Terry Biddlecombe was an English National Hunt racing jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. He was Champion Jockey in 1965, 1966 and 1969.-Career:... |
Fred Rimell |
| 1970 | Varma | Brian Barker | Mick Masson |
| 1971 | Boxer | Jimmy Uttley | Ron Smyth |
| 1972 | Zarib | Bill Smith | Fred Rimell |
| 1973 | Moonlight Bay | Johnny Haine | Ryan Price H. Ryan Price Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British Thoroughbred horse trainer in both flat and National Hunt racing.Born in Hindhead, Surrey, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing as a jockey based at East Lavant in West Sussex. In 1937, he... |
| 1974 | Attivo | Robert Hughes | Cyril Mitchell |
| 1975 | Royal Epic | Fred McKenna | Vernon Cross |
| 1976 | Peterhof | Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo 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... |
Mick Easterby Mick Easterby Michael William 'Mick' Easterby is a British racehorse trainer.He is a dual-purpose trainer, saddling runners in both flat racing and National Hunt racing... |
| 1977 | Meladon | Tommy Carberry Tommy Carberry Tommy Carberry is a retired National Hunt jockey who was twice overall champion Irish jockey and five times champion national hunt jockey. He rode in his first race in 1958, and was crowned champion apprentice in 1959... |
Adrian Maxwell |
| 1978 | Connaught Ranger | John Burke | Fred Rimell |
| 1979 | Pollardstown | Philip Blacker | Stan Mellor |
| 1980 | Heighlin | Steve Jobar | David Elsworth David Elsworth David 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... |
| 1981 | Baron Blakeney | Paul Leach | Martin Pipe Martin Pipe Martin 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.... |
| 1982 | Shiny Copper | Allen Webb | Dina Smith |
| 1983 | Saxon Farm | Mark Perrett | Stan Mellor |
| 1984 | Northern Game | Tommy Ryan | Edward O'Grady |
| 1985 | First Bout | Steve Smith Eccles | Nicky Henderson 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... |
| 1986 | Solar Cloud | Peter Scudamore Peter Scudamore Peter 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... |
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.... |
| 1987 | Alone Success | Steve Smith Eccles | Nicky Henderson 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... |
| 1988 | Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute... |
Richard Dunwoody Richard Dunwoody Thomas 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... |
Michael Stoute Michael Stoute Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972... |
| 1989 | Ikdam | Nigel Coleman | Richard Holder |
| 1990 | Rare Holiday | Brendan Sheridan | Dermot Weld Dermot Weld Dermot K. Weld is one of Ireland's most successful racehorse trainers. He holds the record for the most winners trained in Ireland .... |
| 1991 | Oh So Risky | Paul Holley | David Elsworth David Elsworth David 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... |
| 1992 | Duke of Monmouth | Mark Richards | Simon Sherwood |
| 1993 | Shawiya | Charlie Swan | Michael O'Brien |
| 1994 | Mysilv | Adrian Maguire Adrian Maguire Adrian 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 | Kissair | Jonothan Lower | Martin Pipe Martin Pipe Martin 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.... |
| 1996 | Paddy's Return | Richard Dunwoody Richard Dunwoody Thomas 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... |
Ferdy Murphy |
| 1997 | Commanche Court Commanche Court Commanche Court is an Irish thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland by Ted Walsh. The son of Commanche Run gave his trainer his one and only Cheltenham Festival winner when landing the 1997 Triumph Hurdle under Norman Williamson.In 2000 he gave Ted Walsh and his son Ruby Walsh a first Irish... |
Norman Williamson Norman Williamson Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :... |
Ted Walsh Ted Walsh Ted 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... |
| 1998 | Upgrade | Carl Llewellyn | Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire.... |
| 1999 | Katarino | Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald is an Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He has ridden the winners of the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. He was the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson and was leading jockey at the... |
Nicky Henderson 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... |
| 2000 | Snow Drop | Thierry Doumen | François Doumen François Doumen François 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.... |
| no race 2001 | |||
| 2002 | Scolardy | Charlie Swan | Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... |
| 2003 | Spectroscope | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry 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'Neill Jonjo 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... |
| 2004 | Made in Japan | 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:... |
Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset.... |
| 2005 | Penzance | 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 | Detroit City Detroit City (horse) Detroit City was a thoroughbred racehorse, most famous as a two mile hurdler. He won five Class 1 races including the 2006 Triumph Hurdle, he also had success on the flat in the Cesarewitch Handicap. The grey died in November 2007, aged five, following a fall at Ascot... |
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:... |
Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs Philip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset.... |
| 2007 | Katchit Katchit Katchit is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, the peak of whose flat racing and hurdling career came in 2008 when, against the odds, he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival... |
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.... |
| 2008 | Celestial Halo | Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby 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... |
| 2009 | Zaynar | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry 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 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... |
| 2010 | Soldatino | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry 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 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... |
| 2011 | Zarkandar | Daryl Jacob | 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 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British National Hunt races