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 1954 Handicap 2 miles (3 miles)
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MULL SACK Lester Piggott Keith Piggott Mr John Sutcliffe 10/1
2 GAUDELUPE M Pumfrey Doherty Mr S Bull 7/1
3 ISLE OF PURBECK J Hunter Kennard Mrs T Stuck 100/6
4 BOBBY IV R Emery H Nicholson Mr T Aisthorpe 100/7
5 NEWTON HEATH A P Thompson Pearce Mr Alex Bird 25/1
6 APARTE J Gilbert Carlos-Clarke Mrs H Brassy 5/1
7 SCOTCH COMFORT Derek Ancil Banner Mr Frank Hall 100/6
8 BLUE LAUR II E Jones E Jones Mr W G Ison 25/1
9 MAPLEDON Bill Marshall W Marshall Mr R Lamdin 25/1
10 DEVONIC J J Delaney Leigh Lady Leigh 25/1
11 LOWER PARK Jack Dowdeswell M Marsh Mr M Marsh 25/1
12 ALBERONI T P Burns O'Brien Ire Mrs H Stanley 100/6
13 NICHOLOS T Moloney W Stephenson Mr W Stephenson 100/7
14 DODGE T Mallorie Bolam Mr J Thompson 6/1
15 CONTROVERSIAL R Magee C Jackson Mr C Jackson 20/1
16 STRAIGHT CUT K Mullins Fred Rimell Mr J Nadler 100/30 fav
        Over round 132%
This race was staged on Tuesday 2nd March 1954 when Mull Sack beat Gaudelupe and Isle of Purbeck by 1 lengths and a neck