Champion Hurdle
|
The Champion Hurdle, much prized Grade 1 hurdling crown for 4-year-olds and over, was first staged in 1927 and is contested over 2 miles and half a furlong and 8 hurdles of the Old Course. The race is the final leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling, along with the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It was cancelled in 1931 when the ground was frosty, and again in 1943 and 1944 due to the Second World War. |
| Early history:-The inaugural running of the Champion Hurdle took place on Wednesday 9th March 1927 when won by Blaris 11/10 fav owned by Mrs H Hollins, trained by Bill Payne and ridden by George Duller, beating Beddam (7/2) and Harpist (9/4) by 8 lengths and one length. | |
| Over the entire history of the race 43% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 3rd of the 28 current races. Over the entire history of the race a level stake bet of £10 on every favourite would have resulted in a £100 profit, placing the race 2nd of the current 28 races. Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 27% of occasions, placing the race 15th of the 28 current races. |
|
| Champion Hurdle 1963 | Grade 1 | 2 miles 1/2 furlong | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | WINNING FAIR | Mr A Lillingston | G Spencer (Ire) | Mr G Spencer 100/9 |
| 2 | FARRNEY FOX | P Powell | C Weld (Ire) | Mrs M Donnelly 10/1 |
| 3 | QUELLE CHANCE | Jumbo Wilkinson | Jack Fawcus | Mrs I Pitman 100/7 |
| 4 | OLD MULL | H East | R Renton | Mrs L Brotherton 13/2 |
| 5 | NARRATUS | David Nicholson | Dave Thom | Mr D Symonds 25/1 |
| 6 | MOONSUN | J J Rafferty | A Brabazon (Ire) | Mr J M-Sullivan 40/1 |
| 7 | WHITE PARK BAY | H Beasley | Payne-Gallway | Miss P Hunt 5/2 fav |
| 8 | CATAPULT | Fred Winter | H Ryan Price | Miss E Chanelle 10/1 |
| 9 | GREEKTOWN | Michael Scudamore | W Stephenson | Mr L Ensten 11/1 |
| 10 | ROSS SEA | J Gilbert | A O'Brien (Ire) | Mr J Wood 100/8 |
| 11 | HEIGHT OF FASHION | Tom Lacy | J Osborne (Ire) | Mr J Donohoe 20/1 |
| 12 | STIRLING | Gulwell | M H Easterby | Mr W Ingram 20/1 |
| 13 | PAWNBROKER | Paddy Farrell | W Stephenson | Major E C McCullough 25/1 |
| 14 | DRAKESTONE | I Brown | R Brown | Mr R Brown 50/1 |
| 15 | FRENCH FOX | Pat Taaffe | Whilston | Mr A Malden 50/1 |
| 16 | EASTERN HARVEST | Stan Mellor | Derek Ancil | Mrs W Archdale 100/1 |
| 17 | GAINSPUR | R Edwards | B Davies | Mr B Davies 100/1 |
| 18 | TENERVILLE | Holley | L Potter | Mrs B Potter 100/1 |
| 19 | RED DOVE | A Biddlecombe | T Price | Mr T Price 100/1 |
| 20 | PRINCESS SABRANIE | David Mould | Dave Thom | Mrs H Swift 100/1 |
| 21 | FLIGHTS ORCHID | Terry Biddlecombe | R Price | Mrs E Price 50/1 |
| Over round 123% | ||||
| This race was run on Wednesday 3rd March 1963 when Winning Fair beat Farrney Fox and Quelle Chance by 5 lengths and a neck | ||||
