Mares Hurdle
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The Mares Hurdle run over 2 miles 3 furlongs and 200 yards and 10 hurdles of the Old Course was first introduced into the Festival programme in 2008 and is named in honour of David Nicholson who, along with his father Frenchie, was a character with a long association with Cheltenham. He rode 5 winners at the Festival during his long riding career, and then trained 17 winners at the Festival. It is a Grade 1 Hurdle which has enjoyed sponsorship from a number of companies, most recently Close Brothers, but in the past has been run on the opening day as the OLGB Mares Hurdle. |
| Early history:-The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle was first contested on 14th March 2008 when won by Whiteoak (20/1) owned by Brendan Richardson, trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire, beating Refinement (10/1) and Chomba Womba (100/30 fav) by a short head and two and a half lengths. | |
| Over the entire history of the race 50% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 1st 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 £3 loss, placing the race 5th of the current 28 races. Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 75% of occasions, placing the race 3rd of the 28 current races. |
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| Mares Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles 4 furlongs | ||
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 2008 | WHITEOAK | Jason Maguire | Donald McCain jnr | Mr Brendan Richardson 20/1 |
| 2009 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 2/1 fav |
| 2010 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 6/4 fav |
| 2011 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 5/6 fav |
| 2012 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 4/7 fav |
| 2013 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 8/11 fav |
| 2014 | QUEVEGA | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 8/11 fav |
| 2015 | GLENS MELODY | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Ms Fiona McStay 6/1 |
| 2016 | VROUM VROUM MAG | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Mrs Susannah Ricci 4/6 fav |
| 2017 | APPLE'S JADE | Bryan Cooper | Gordon Elliott | Gigginstown House Stud 7/2 |
| 2018 | BENIE DES DIEUX | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Mrs Susannah Ricci 9/2 |
| 2019 | ROKSANA | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | Mrs Sarah Faulks 10/1 |
| 2020 | HONEYSUCKLE | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead (Ire) | Mr Kenny Alexander 9/4 |
| 2021 | BLACK TEARS | Jack Kennedy | Denise Foster (Ire) | Mrs Caren Walsh, John Lightfoot 11/1 |
| 2022 | MARIES ROCK | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson | Middleham Park Racing 18/1 |
| 2023 | HONEYSUCKLE | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead (Ire) | Mr Kenny Alexander 9/4 jt fav |
| 2024 | LOSSIEMOUTH | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins (Ire) | Mrs Susannah Ricci 8/13 fav |
