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) 2012 Grade 1 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BIG BUCK'S Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 5/6 fav
2 VOLER LA VEDETTE A E Lynch C A Murphy (Ire) Mrs M Brophy 20/1
3 SMAD PLACE Robert Thornton Alan King Mrs Peter Andrews 20/1
4 THOUSAND STARS Paul Townend Willie Mullins (Ire) Hammer & Trowel Syndicate 8/1
5 OSCAR WHISKY Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson Walters Plant Hire ltd 4/1
6 MOURAD Ms Katie Walsh Willie Mullins (Ire) Teahon Consulting ltd 33/1
7 CROSS KENNON Alan O'Keeffe Jennie Candish P & Mrs G A Clarke 100/1
8 DYNASTE Tom Scudamore David Pipe A J White 14/1
9 SO YOUNG D J Casey Willie Mullins (Ire) Mrs M McMahon 16/1
10 FIVE DREAM Ryan Mahon Paul Nicholls Scot-Macdonald, Kilduff et al 100/1
PU MIKAEL D'HAGUENET Davy Condon Willie Mullins (Ire) Mrs Susannah Ricci 50/1
        Over round 115%
This race was held on Thursday 15th March 2012 when Big Bucks beat Voler La Vedette and Smad Place by 1 3/4 lengths and 7 lengths