Known to many as the World Hurdle, the Stayers’ Hurdle, which has been sponsored by all and sundry in recent years (Ladbrokes, Ryan Air, and the now defunct SunBets) is a National Hunt race for four year olds and up. It’s held over a distance of three miles at the Cheltenham racecourse in Cheltenham , England. There are a total of twelve hurdles to jump during the race.
The Stayer’s Hurdle takes place during the Cheltenham Festival in March of each year and has a serious reputation for attracting racing talent, and an equally serious prize to match: £150,000+ for the winner and a total prize pot of over a quarter of a million pounds. It’s seen by many to be one of the season’s leading long distance hurdle events.
First taking place in 1912 with humble beginnings and a £100 prize to the winner, the race has come and gone over the years. Even in recent times day wise the race, sponsored at one point by Lloyds Bank, has chopped and changed from Tuesday, to Wednesday, then Thursday.
Jockey Ruby Walsh has impressed in the Stayer’s Hurdle over the years amassing five wins including a very impressive four wins on Big Buck’s from 2009 to 2012 and on Nichols Canyon in 2017. Paul Nicholls is leading trainer, also on account of his association with Big Buck’s.
Last year’s winner was Penhill at 12-1. Historically short prices horses do well in the race and we have to go all the way back to 1999 with Anzum at 40-1 to find an outsider taking the crown.