The Supreme Novices' 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 Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong (2 miles and 87 yards, or 3,298 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.
| Grade 1 race | |
| Location | Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, England |
|---|---|
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | Sky Bet |
| Website | Cheltenham |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 87y (3,298 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 10 st 11 lb (4yo); 11 st 7 lb (5yo+) Allowances 7 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £135,000 (2024) 1st: £75,965 |
| 2024 | ||
| Slade Steel | Mystical Power | Firefox |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
| Marine Nationale | Facile Vega | Diverge |
| 2022 | ||
| Constitution Hill | Jonbon | Kilcruit |
| 2021 | ||
| Appreciate It | Ballyadam | For Pleasure |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
| Shishkin | Abacadabras | Chantry House |
| 2019 | ||
| Klassical Dream | Thomas Darby | Itchy Feet |
| 2018 | ||
| Summerville Boy | Kalashnikov | Mengli Khan |
| 2017 | ||
| Labaik | Melon | River Wylde |
| 2016 | ||
| Altior | Min | Buveur D'air |
| 2015 | ||
| Douvan | Shaneshill | Sizing John |
| 2014 | ||
| Vautour | Josses Hill | Vaniteux |
| 2013 | ||
| Champagne Fever | My Tent Or Yours | Jezki |
| 2012 | ||
| Cinders And Ashes | Darlan | Trifolium |
| 2011 | ||
| Al Ferof | Spirit Son | Sprinter Sacre |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
| Menorah | Get Me Out of Here | Dunguib |
| 2009 | ||
| Go Native | Medermit | Somersby |
| 2008 | ||
| Captain Cee Bee | Binocular | Snap Tie |
| 2007 | ||
| Ebaziyan | Granit Jack | Amaretto Rose |
| 2006 | ||
| Noland | Straw Bear | Buena Vista |
| 2005 | ||
| Arcalis | Wild Passion | Dusky Warbler |
| 2004 | ||
| Brave Inca | War of Attrition | Fleet Street |
| 2003 | ||
| Back in Front | Kicking King | Chauvinist |
| 2002 | ||
| Like-A-Butterfly | Westender | In Contrast |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
| Sausalito Bay | Best Mate | Youlneverwalkalone |
| 1999 | ||
| Hors La Loi III | Joe Mac | Arctic Fancy |
| 1998 | ||
| French Ballerina | His Song | Gatflax |
| 1997 | ||
| Shadow Leader | Princeful | Nordic Breeze |
| 1996 | ||
| Indefence | Kimanicky | Castle Sweep |
| 1995 | ||
| Tourist Attraction | Ventana Canyon | Simple Arithmetic |
| 1994 | ||
| Arctic Kinsman | Pridwell | Dreams End |
| 1993 | ||
| Montelado | Lemon's Mill | Satin Lover |
| 1992 | ||
| Flown | Halkopous | Fortune And Fame |
| 1991 | ||
| Destriero | Granville Again | Gran Alba |
| 1990-1988 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
| Forest Sun | Danny Harrold | Rakes Lane |
| 1989 | ||
| Sondrio | Island Set | Cruising Altitude |
| 1988 | ||
| Vagador | Mixed Blends | Relekto |
It is the first event on the opening day of the Festival, and its start is traditionally greeted by the "Cheltenham Roar", a loud cheer generated by the crowds of onlookers.
History
editThe race was originally called the Gloucestershire Hurdle, and it used to be split into two or three separate divisions. The Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien recorded ten victories in the race during an eight-year spell in the 1950s.
It became known as the Lloyds Bank Champion Novices' Hurdle in 1974, when Lloyds Bank began a brief period of sponsorship. Its present title was introduced when Waterford Crystal started to back the race in 1978. This association continued until 1990, and since then the event has had several different sponsors. The current sponsor as of 2021 is the bookmaking company Sky Bet.
Records
editLeading jockey since 1972 (6 wins):
- Ruby Walsh – Noland (2006), Al Ferof (2011), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Klassical Dream (2019)
Leading trainer since 1972 (7 wins):
- Willie Mullins – Tourist Attraction (1995), Ebaziyan (2007), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Klassical Dream (2019), Appreciate It (2021)
Winners since 1946
edit- Separate divisions of the race indicated by (1), (2) and (3).
- ^ The 1947 edition was abandoned due to snow and frost
- ^ a b c d amateur jockey
- ^ The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis
See also
editReferences
editExternal links
edit- Supreme Novices' Hurdle – Cheltenham Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database
- Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 56. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.
- Race Recordings (1980, 1982-2004) youtube.com