William Hill Trophy
Encyclopedia
The Festival Trophy 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 Old Course at Cheltenham
over a distance of about 3 miles and 110 yards (4,929 metres), and during its running there are nineteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival
in March.
The event was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill
between 1998 and 2010. The latest sponsor is the Stewart family, headed by the businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart. Andy's son Paul suffered a spinal injury in 2008, and the race was run in 2011 as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase to raise awareness of, and highlight the work done by, the charity Spinal Research.
Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National
, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip
, Seagram and Rough Quest
.
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
----
Leading jockey
since 1946 (3 wins):
----
Leading trainer
since 1946 (4 wins):
The 1947 running was abandoned due to snow and frost.
The 1978 edition was cancelled because of snow.
It was abandoned in 2001 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...
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 Old 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 110 yards (4,929 metres), and during its running there are nineteen fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of 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 was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill
William Hill (bookmaker)
William Hill plc is one of the largest bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters is in the north London suburb of Wood Green and in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
between 1998 and 2010. The latest sponsor is the Stewart family, headed by the businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart. Andy's son Paul suffered a spinal injury in 2008, and the race was run in 2011 as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase to raise awareness of, and highlight the work done by, the charity Spinal Research.
Winners of the race often take part in the 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...
, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip
West Tip
West Tip was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986, ridden by Richard Dunwoody. He fell in the 1985 race at Bechers Brook on the second circuit, and finished fourth in 1987 and 1988, second in 1989, tenth in 1990, on each occasion he was ridden by Dunwoody. He was retired after the 1990...
, Seagram and Rough Quest
Rough Quest
Rough Quest is a Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1996 Grand National at Aintree.The horse went to Aintree that year in very good form, having won the Racing Post Chase and finishing second in the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup with the result that the public made him race...
.
Records
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
- Sentina – 1957, 1958
- Scot Lane – 1982, 1983
----
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 (3 wins):
- Robert ThorntonRobert Thornton (jockey)Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King....
– Fork Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), Bensalem (2011)
----
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):
- Fred Rimell – Cavaliero (1948), Frere Jacques II (1949), Land Fort (1951), Holly Bank (1954)
- 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....
– Ravencroft (1961), Team Spirit (1963), Lord Jim (1971), Gay Vulgan (1977)
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 Dunshaughlin 8 10-10 Bobby O'Ryan Charles Rogers no race 1947 1948 Cavaliero 7 11-10 Ted Vinall Fred Rimell 1949 Frere Jacques II 7 10-06 Ted Vinall Fred Rimell 1950 Silver Fame 11 12-07 Martin 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...1951 Land Fort 7 11-08 Johnny Bullock Fred Rimell 1952 Royal Tan 8 11-06 Mr Phonsie O'Brien Vincent O'Brien Vincent O'BrienDr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...1953 Four Ten 7 10-07 Tommy Cusack John Roberts 1954 Holly Bank 7 10-13 Mr Peter Brookshaw Fred Rimell 1955 Limber Hill 8 11-02 Tim Molony Bill Dutton 1956 Kerstin 6 10-05 George Milburn Verly Bewicke 1957 Sentina 7 10-04 Pat Taaffe Pat TaaffePat Taaffe died in 1992 in Dublin Hospital, aged just 62. His health had been poor for some time.Taaffe is a National Hunt jockey who famously rode Arkle to win three Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1964 and 1966...Tom Dreaper Tom DreaperThomas William Dreaper was a successful Irish steeplechase racehorse trainer. He is best known for being the trainer of Arkle and Flyingbolt....1958 Sentina 8 11-07 Tom Taaffe Tom Dreaper Tom DreaperThomas William Dreaper was a successful Irish steeplechase racehorse trainer. He is best known for being the trainer of Arkle and Flyingbolt....1959 Winning Coin 7 11-07 Dave Dick 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...1960 Isle of Skye 9 10-05 Tony Keen Alec Kilpatrick 1961 Ravencroft 8 10-03 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...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....1962 Longtail 7 11-00 Stan Mellor Dick Curran 1963 Team Spirit 11 11-04 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....1964 Prudent Barney 10 10-11 Terry Biddlecombe Terry BiddlecombeTerry Biddlecombe was an English National Hunt racing jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. He was Champion Jockey in 1965, 1966 and 1969.-Career:...Bobby Renton 1965 Rondetto 9 11-10 Johnny Haine Bob Turnell 1966 Arkloin 7 12-05 Pat Taaffe Pat TaaffePat Taaffe died in 1992 in Dublin Hospital, aged just 62. His health had been poor for some time.Taaffe is a National Hunt jockey who famously rode Arkle to win three Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1964 and 1966...Tom Dreaper Tom DreaperThomas William Dreaper was a successful Irish steeplechase racehorse trainer. He is best known for being the trainer of Arkle and Flyingbolt....1967 Different Class 7 11-13 David Mould Peter Cazalet 1968 Battledore 7 10-10 Kit Stobbs Arthur Stephenson 1969 Chancer 7 11-00 Pat McCarron Charlie Hall 1970 Charter Flight 8 11-09 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell 1971 Lord Jim 10 10-08 Johnny Haine 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....1972 Jomon 6 10-12 David Mould 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...1973 The Chisler 7 10-10 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson 1974 Cuckolder 9 10-13 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell 1975 King Flame 9 10-06 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...Richard Head 1976 Barmer 8 10-03 Jimmy McNaught Robin Blakeney 1977 Gay Vulgan 9 11-04 Bill Smith 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....no race 1978 1979 Fair View 9 10-04 Ridley Lamb George Fairbairn 1980 Again the Same 7 11-01 Mr Jim Wilson John Edwards 1981 Current Gold 10 10-07 Neale Doughty Gordon W. Richards Gordon W. RichardsThis article is about the racehorse trainer. For the jockey, see Gordon Richards----Gordon W. Richards was a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing...1982 Scot Lane 9 10-12 Craig Smith Martin Tate 1983 Scot Lane 10 11-07 Craig Smith Martin Tate 1984 Tracys Special 7 11-01 Steve Knight Andrew Turnell 1985 West Tip West TipWest Tip was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986, ridden by Richard Dunwoody. He fell in the 1985 race at Bechers Brook on the second circuit, and finished fourth in 1987 and 1988, second in 1989, tenth in 1990, on each occasion he was ridden by Dunwoody. He was retired after the 1990...8 10-13 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...Michael Oliver 1986 Charter Party 8 10-10 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...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 Gainsay 8 10-05 Ben de Haan 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...1988 Aquilifer 8 10-12 Paul Croucher David Murray Smith 1989 Dixton House 10 11-00 Tom Morgan John Edwards 1990 Bigsun 9 10-11 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....1991 Seagram 11 10-11 Nigel Hawke David Barons 1992 Tipping Tim 7 10-00 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....1993 Givus a Buck 10 10-08 Paul Holley 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...1994 Antonin 6 11-05 John Burke Sue Bramall 1995 Rough Quest Rough QuestRough Quest is a Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1996 Grand National at Aintree.The horse went to Aintree that year in very good form, having won the Racing Post Chase and finishing second in the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup with the result that the public made him race...9 10-03 Mick Fitzgerald Mick FitzgeraldMick 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...Terry Casey 1996 Maamur 8 10-00 Andrew Thornton Andrew ThorntonAndrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to...Tim Forster 1997 Flyer's Nap 11 11-02 David Bridgwater Robert Alner Robert AlnerRobert Alner is a British racehorse trainer specializing in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Droop, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset, England. He trained the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Cool Dawn in 1998....1998 Unguided Missile 10 11-10 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...Gordon W. Richards Gordon W. RichardsThis article is about the racehorse trainer. For the jockey, see Gordon Richards----Gordon W. Richards was a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing...1999 Betty's Boy 10 10-02 Norman Williamson Norman WilliamsonNorman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...Kim Bailey 2000 Marlborough 8 10-03 Mick Fitzgerald Mick FitzgeraldMick 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 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...no race 2001 2002 Frenchman's Creek 8 10-05 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...Hughie Morrison 2003 Youlneverwalkalone 9 10-11 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...Christy Roche Christy RocheChristy Roche is a retired champion Irish flat racing jockey.Over his thirty year career between 1968 and 1998 he won the Budweiser Irish Derby 3 times which he won in 1982, 1992 and 1997. His 1997 victory was on Desert King.-External links:*...2004 Fork Lightning 8 10-05 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....2005 Kelami 7 10-02 Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey)Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King....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....2006 Dun Doire 7 10-09 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:...Tony Martin 2007 Joes Edge 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...Ferdy Murphy 2008 An Accordion 7 10-12 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....2009 Wichita Lineman Wichita Lineman (horse)Wichita Lineman was a National Hunt racehorse, foaled on 18th April 2001.He won nine of his eighteen races, finishing second in a further four...8 10-09 Tony McCoy Tony McCoyAnthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....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...2010 Chief Dan George 10 10-10 Paddy Aspell James Moffatt 2011 Bensalem 8 11-02 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....
The 1947 running was abandoned due to snow and frost.
The 1978 edition was cancelled because of snow.
It was abandoned in 2001 because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.
See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British National Hunt races