Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

m

The Stayers Hurdle, also known as the World Hurdle, is an important Grade 1 race over 3 miles, but started off as the Stayers Selling Hurdle in 1912, which in turn was replaced by the Spa Hurdle in 1939, albeit over just 2 miles, but in 1942 it was increased to 3 miles as a stayers race, although the Spa Hurdle was also staged as a one-off in 1923.
Early history:-Whilst it is difficult to put a precise date on when this race was first run, a 3 mile stayers hurdle was contested at the second Festival meeting in 1912, although it was a selling race on Wednesday 13th March 1912 when won by Aftermath (11/10 fav) owned by Mr J W Pullen, trained by Newey and ridden by Alf Newey, beating Port Meadow (100/8) and Borodino (10/1) by 15 lengths and 2 lengths.
Over the entire history of the race 38% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 4th 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 £80 profit, placing the race 3rd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 18% of occasions, placing the race 20th of the 28 current races.
Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle) 1991 Grade 1 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 KING'S CURATE Mark Perrett Stan Mellor C J Ellis 5/2 fav
2 RUN FOR FREE Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Ralph Freethy 11/4
3 PRAGADA Declan Murphy Josh Gifford Mrs Margaret McGlone 12/1
4 JUDGES FANCY Robbie Supple C C Trietline J C De Scott 40/1
5 GALMOY Tommy Carmody J E Mulhern (Ire) Miss D Threadwell 16/1
6 MUTARE Richard Dunwoody Nicky Henderson Michael Buckley 9/2
7 DO BE BRIEF Mark Pitman Mrs Jenny Pitman Errol Brown 10/1
8 OLD DUNDALK Graham Bradley Derek Murray Smith M V Walsh 25/1
9 HOLDING SCENT Charlie Swan M F Morris (Ire) Major Victor MacCalmont 14/1
10 CASH IS KING Dean Gallagher Mrs Jenny Pitman Martin Myers 25/1
11 BUCKSKIN'S BEST S Earle Robin Dickin Derek Holder 150/1
12 CALAPAEZ Brendan Powell snr Miss Brooke Sanders T J Blake 25/1
F OLNISTAR Graham McCourt David Nicholson Mrs Claire Smith 50/1
PU CALABRESE John White Nicky Henderson W A Fagan 25/1
PU GRAND HABIT Conor O'Dwyer Harry De Bromhead (Ire) I H Stewart-Brown 150/1
      Over round 124%
This race was held on Thursday 12th March 1991 when King's Curate beat Run for Free and Pragada by a neck and 10 lengths