Queen Mother Champion Chase

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The Queen Mother Champion Chase, a Grade 1 race for 5-year-olds and over, run over 2 miles and 13 fences of the Old Course, was first run in 1959 as the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase. In 1980 it was renamed in honour of the Queen Mother for her contribution and support of National Hunt racing. It was sponsored between 2008 and 2010 by Seasons Holidays before BetVictor followed on.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase, forerunner of the Queen Mother Chase, took place on Wednesday 4th March 1959 when won by Quita Que (4/9 fav) owned by Mrs D R Brand and ridden by Mr J Cox, beating Top Twenty (100/9) and Double Star (13/2) by 6 lengths and 15 lengths.
Over the entire history of the race 33% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 7th 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 £170 loss, placing the race 22nd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 36% of occasions, placing the race 11th of the 28 current races.
Queen Mother Champion Chase 1979 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HILLY WAY Ted Walsh P McCreery (Ire) Mr J Sweeney 7/1
2 DRAMATIST Bill Smith Fulke Walwyn Mr L Thwaites 3/1 fav
3 YOUNG ARTHUR P Haynes Derrick Kent Mrs D Kent 10/1
4 FUNNY BABY Ridley Lamb Fairbairn Lt-Colonel Martin 50/1
5 SIBERIAN SUN Steve Smith-Eccles Makin Mrs Herring 5/1
6 ARTIFICE Tommy Carmody Thorne Mr Paul Barber 6/1
7 BALLROSS Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper (Ire) Paddy Prendergast 6/1
8 EVEN MELODY Chris Hawkins Neville Crump Mr S Green 9/1
9 TRAGUS B R Davies David Morley Mrs Hicks 12/1
        Over round 109%
This race was held on Tuesday 13th March 1979 when Hilly Way beat Dramatist and Young Arthur by 6 lengths and 12 lengths