Birdlip Selling Hurdle

The Birdlip Selling Hurdle first took place as a 2-mile selling hurdle at the 1952 Festival and continued to be run over that distance for the next 6 years, but in 1958 it was extended to 3 miles. Prior to 1952 the Birdlip Selling Hurdle and Birdlip Selling Steeplechase had, from time to time, been a part of the April meeting. The Birdlip Selling Chase was run annually up to 1939, but after the war the Birdlip Selling Hurdle was occasionally run at that April meeting, although in 1950 it was earmarked to make its debut on the Wednesday of the Festival meeting unless a race had to be divided. A race was divided, and two more years elapsed before it took its place on the Festival card. On the third anniversary of the race it was won by Mull Sack, a rare hurdle victory for Lester Piggott, and when it was run for the final time in 1962 it was won by St Stephen ridden by Fred Winter, who later celebrated so many victories as a trainer. In 1963 the Birdlip Hurdle was replaced by the George Duller Hurdle which, in due course, was replaced by the Pertemps Hurdle.

Early history:- The inaugural running of the Birdlip Selling Hurdle took place on Wednesday 5th March 1952 when won by Dankali (7/2) trained by W Pearson and ridden by Mr J K Oliver, beating Michael Collins (20/1) and Rouge Et Noir (100/9) by 4 lengths and a neck.
Birdlip Selling Hurdle 1953 Handicap 2 miles (3 miles)
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SIR D'ORIENT Jack Dowdeswell J Bissill Mr T Sealey 8/1
2 LASSO II A Freeman G Archibald Miss M Winn 20/1
3 PLAYHOUSE Michael Scudamore Rice-Stringer Mr H Nias 100/30 fav
4 SCOTCH COMFORT R E Jenkins Banner Mr Frank Hall 20/1
5 ROYDON J Foster J Powell Mr T Bennett 11/2
6 FINDON FOLLY Fred Winter H Ryan Price Mr G C Judd 100/8
7 WISHBONE G Slack Wes Hall Mr C Nicholson 11/2
8 PEPITO II F McKenna G Turner Mr F Sanders 20/1
9 ROCKSPRING A Grantham de Moraville Mrs P Somervell 100/9
10 NOBLEST ROMAN Brian Marshall Jack Anthony Lt-Col E Harewood-Williams 10/1
11 HARIS II A Thompson Neville Crump Captain T D Wilson 11/2
12 THE MOHOR T Moloney R Wilson Mrs E McGaughey 20/1
        Over round 126%
This race was staged on Wednesday 4th March 1953 when Sir D'Orient beat Lasso II and Playhouse by 1 lengths and a short head