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) 1996 Grade 1 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CYBORGO David Bridgwater Martin Pipe County Stones Somerset Holdings 8/1
2 MYSILV Jimmy McCarthy Charles Egerton Elite Racing Club 16/1
3 WHAT A QUESTION Conor O'Dwyer M F Morris (Ire) Mrs Miles Valentine 33/1
4 DERRYMOYLE Mark Dwyer Michael Cunningham (Ire) Herb M Stanley 4/1 fav
5 SILVER WEDGE Jamie Osborne Oliver Sherwood E S & W V Robbins 8/1
6 BETTER TIMES AHEAD Tony Dobbin Gordon Richards E Briggs 11/2
7 TOP SPIN A P McCoy John Jenkins Mrs Eliza Long 100/1
8 ALLEGATION Jonathon Lower Martin Pipe Martin Pipe Racing Club 66/1
9 SEEKIN CASH Graham Bradley Kim Bailey Mrs David Thompson 6/1
10 TREBLE BOB Richard Dunwoody Dermot Weld (Ire) Dr Michael Smurfitt 7/1
11 SOLO GENT Sean Curran A P Jones M,Y& K Jones 200/1
12 BALASANI Chris Maude Martin Pipe J G O'Neill 66/1
13 MUDAHIM Waarren Marston C D Broad K W Bell 50/1
14 HALKOPOUS Peter Niven Mark Tompkins Miss V M Williams 25/1
F HEBRIDEAN Richard Johnson David Nicholson P A Deal 25/1
PU MOLE BOARD Mick Fitzgerald Jim Old W E Sturt 14/1
PU SIMPSON Carl Llewellyn Jim Old Mr John Bickel 33/1
PU TIANANMEN SQUARE Charlie Swann A P O'Brien (Ire) Mrs John Magnier 10/1
PU TAOS Tom Jenks Nigel Twiston-Davies B J Kelly 100/1
      Over round 128%
This race was held on Thursday 14th March 1996 when Cyborgo beat Mysilv and What a Question by 3/4 length and 10 lengths