Betfair Hurdle

The Betfair Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards (3,319 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in February.

The event was established in 1963, and the inaugural running took place at Aintree. The race was originally sponsored by Schweppes, and it was known as the Schweppes Gold Trophy. This sponsorship continued until 1986 when it was taken over by Tote Bookmakers (later known as totesport). The race was titled the Tote Gold Trophy from 1987 to 2004, and the totesport Trophy from 2005 to 2011. Since 2012 the race has been sponsored by Betfair and known as the Betfair Hurdle.

Two winners of the race — Persian War and Make a Stand — subsequently achieved victory in the following month's Champion Hurdle.

Winners since 1980

• Weights given in stones and pounds.

Year	Winner	Age	Weight	Jockey	Trainer
1980	Bootlaces	6	10-09	Paul Leach	David Barons
1981	no race 1981
1982	Donegal Prince	6	10-08	John Francome	Paul Kelleway
1983	no race 1983
1984	Ra Nova	5	10-06	Paddy Farrell	Nan Kennedy
1985	no race 1985–86
1987	Neblin	8	10-00	Stan Moore	Toby Balding
1988	Jamesmead	7	10-00	Brendan Powell	David Elsworth
1989	Grey Salute	6	11-05	Richard Dunwoody	John Jenkins
1990	Deep Sensation	5	11-03	Richard Rowe	Josh Gifford
1991	no race 1991
1992	Rodeo Star	6	10-10	Graham McCourt	Nigel Tinkler
1993	King Credo	8	10-00	Adrian Maguire	Steve Woodman
1994	Large Action	6	10-08	Jamie Osborne	Oliver Sherwood
1995	Mysilv	5	10-08	Jamie Osborne	Charles Egerton
1996	Squire Silk	7	10-12	Paul Carberry	Andrew Turnell
1997	Make A Stand	6	11-07	Chris Maude	Martin Pipe
1998	Sharpical	6	11-01	Mick Fitzgerald	Nicky Henderson
1999	Decoupage	7	11-00	Jimmy McCarthy	Charles Egerton
2000	Geos	5	11-03	Mick Fitzgerald	Nicky Henderson
2001	Landing Light	6	10-02	Mick Fitzgerald	Nicky Henderson
2002	Copeland	7	11-07	Tony McCoy	Martin Pipe
2003	Spirit Leader	7	10-00	Norman Williamson	Jessica Harrington
2004	Geos	9	10-09	Marcus Foley	Nicky Henderson
2005	Essex	5	11-06	Barry Geraghty	Michael O'Brien
2006	no race 2006
2007	Heathcote	5	10-06	Jamie Moore	Gary L. Moore
2008	Wingman	6	10-00	Jamie Moore	Gary L. Moore
2009	no race 2009
2010	Get Me Out of Here	6	10-06	Tony McCoy	Jonjo O'Neill
2011	Recession Proof	5	10-08	Dougie Costello	John Quinn
2012	Zarkandar	5	11-01	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls

¹ The 1983 running was abandoned due to snow and frost.
² It was cancelled in 1985 because of snow and frost, and in 1986 because of snow.
³ The 1991 and 2006 editions were both abandoned due to frost.
⁴ The 2009 race was cancelled because of snow.

Earlier winners

• 1963 - Rosyth
• 1964 - Rosyth
• 1965 - Elan
• 1966 - Le Vermontois
• 1967 - Hill House
• 1968 - Persian War

• 1969 - no race
• 1970 - no race
• 1971 - Cala Mesquida
• 1972 - Good Review
• 1973 - Indianapolis
• 1974 - no race

• 1975 - Tammuz
• 1976 - Irish Fashion
• 1977 - True Lad
• 1978 - no race
• 1979 - Within the Law

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
  • 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010
  • 2011, 2012

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• pedigreequery.com – Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle – Newbury.
• sportingchronicle.com – Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle.
• Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 53. ISBN 1-871093-21-X. 

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races
• Recurring events established in 1963 – the Totesport Trophy is included under its original title, Schweppes Gold Trophy.