David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle

The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 furlongs and 200 yards, or 4,005 metres), and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle
(Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle)
Grade 1 race
LocationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated2008
Race typeHurdle race
SponsorClose Brothers Group
WebsiteCheltenham
Race information
Distance2m 3f 200y (4,005 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and up
fillies & mares
Weight10 st 10 lb (4yo);
11 st 5 lb (5yo+)
Purse£120,000 (2019)
1st: £70,816
OLBG Mares' Hurdle
2020
Honeysuckle Benie Des Dieux Elfile

The winner's trophy for this event is named in memory of David Nicholson (1939–2006), who was successful as both a jockey and a trainer in National Hunt racing. Nicholson's record at the Cheltenham Festival included five victories as a jockey, and seventeen as a trainer.

This race was established in 2008, and in its inaugural year it was held on the final day of the Festival on Cheltenham's New Course. It was switched to the opening day on the Old Course in 2009. It was initially given Grade 2 status and was upgraded to Grade 1 status from the 2015 running.[1] From 2012 to 2019 it was run as the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.

Records

Most successful horse (6 wins):

  • Quevega – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Leading jockey (8 wins):

  • Ruby Walsh – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018)

Leading trainer (9 wins):

  • Willie Mullins – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018)

Winners
Year
 Winner
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
2008 Whiteoak 5 Jason Maguire Donald McCain, Jr.
2009 Quevega 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2010 Quevega 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2011 Quevega 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2012 Quevega 8 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2013 Quevega 9 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2014 Quevega 10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2015 Glens Melody 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2016 Vroum Vroum Mag 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2017 Apple's Jade 5 Bryan Cooper Gordon Elliott
2018 Benie Des Dieux 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2019 Roksana 7 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton
2020 Honeysuckle 6 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead

See also

References
  1. "OLBG Mares' Hurdle elevated to Grade 1 status as BHA announces upgrades to Jump Pattern races for 2014/15". britishhorseracing.presscentre.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
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