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) 2009 Grade 1 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BIG BUCK'S Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 6/1
2 PUNCHESTOWNS Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Mrs Judy Wilson 100/30
3 POWERSTATION Andrew McNamara Eamon O'Connell (Ire) Fat Frog Syndicate 25/1
4 KASBAH BLISS Christophe Pieux Francois Doumen (Fr) Henri De Pracomtal 10/11 fav
5 MIGHTY MAN Sam Thomas Henry Daly Evan-Robert Hanbury 28/1
6 WHATUTHINK Davy Russell Oliver McKiernan (Ire) Cavan Developments Bloodstock 100/1
7 MOBAASHER Christian Williams Paul Nicholls Seasons Holidays 33/1
8 BLAZING BAILEY Robert Thornton Alan King Three Line Whip 28/1
9 FAIR ALONG Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs Alan Peterson 14/1
10 NO REFUGE Denis O'Regan Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 100/1
11 PETTIFOUR Paddy Brennan Nigel Twiston-Davies J B Pettifer 66/1
12 TAZBAR James Reveley Keith Reveley The Supreme Partnership 33/1
13 SHAKERVILZ Paul Townend Willie Mullins (Ire) Thomas Gilligan 50/1
14 AFSOUN Dominic Elsworth Nicky Henderson Trevor Hemmings 100/1
        Over round 120%
This race was held on Thursday 12th March 2009 when Big Bucks beat Punchestowns and Powerstation by 1 3/4 lengths and 17 lengths