Champion Hurdle History
The Champion Hurdle has a history that dates back to 1927. It started with humble beginnings but has now become the richest National Hunt Hurdle race on the Calendar.
The very first winner was Blaris, trained by Bill Payne and ridden by George Duller and the following year the prize went to Brown Jack. The 2009 race will be the 79th running. The race has been run every year with the exception of 1931 when it was abandoned due to frost, It never ran either in both 1943 and 1944 due to the war and was cancelled in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak.
There have been many interesting facts and coincidence's over the years, for instance:
- In 1947 the race was won by Le Paillon, who went on to win the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe in the same year.
- The 1963 winner, was Winning Fair who was the only one eyed winner of the race. He was trained by George Spencer, father of flat jockey, Jamie.
- Flyingbolt won the Queen Mother Chase and then came third in the Champion Hurdle the following day.
- The only horse to have won the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup was Dawn Run.
- In 1999, Theatre World came second for the third consecutive year.
- The 1991 winner, Morley Street, was a full brother to the 1993 winner, Granville Again.
Ladbrokes Offer a £25 Free Bet on the 2010 Champion Hurdle
One of the top bookmakers in the UK Ladbrokes have a good £25 free bet for new customers placing a bet on the Champion Hurdle. After you check out the tips and odds section on this site simply click on any of the Ladbrokes links and this will direct you to the home page of the online bookmaker where you can open an account and place a bet.
