Birdlip Handicap 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 Handicap Hurdle 1962 Handicap 3 miles (2 miles)
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ST STEPHEN Fred Winter H Ryan Price Mr H Vickery 100/6
2 DEVON CAWVONE G Nicholls P-Jones Mrs D P-Jones33/1
3 CARRIGEEN DUFF David Mould B Foster Mrs G Busuttill 25/1
4 HINDU FLAME Bassett Bassett Mrs T Stuck 10/1
5 NAUCETRA John Thorpe John Thorpe Mr John Thorpe 33/1
6 SARTORIUS J Guest R L Smith Lt-Comm R L Smith 20/1
7 HIGH TEMPO G Robinson C Magnier Ire Mr J Wood 2/1 fav
8 PERCEVES P Whittle S Warren Mr L Albertini 20/1
9 KVARNER J Gilbert O'Donoghue Mr J Jackson 100/8
10 COOLOPTIMIST Josh Gifford Corrie Mr L Bland 100/8
11 FEN STREET Derek Ancil Derek Ancil Mr G Lees 100/6
12 UNION PACIFIC Sisson C Bell Mr A Sowerby 100/6
13 FOREIGN EXCHANGE E Kelly O'Donoghue Mr J Gibbons 100/6
14 VILLAGE STAR Paddy Farrell W A Stephenson Mr F Oates 100/6
15 FERRY BOAT C Finnegan D Auld Ire Mrs W Macauley 20/1
16 GIVUS LIGHT Markham A McCartney Mr A McCartney 20/1
17 HELMINEN H Beasley Fred Rimmel Mr G Saunders 20/1
18 ROSEBUD Tim Brookshaw P Moore Mr R Tilbrook 33/1
19 DUROC II E Campbell R Cross Mr E Bambridge 33/1
20 BORDER SPARKLE G McGinley G Robinson Mr J Wilson 33/1
21 LOWE II R Jenkins H Price Mr C Price 33/1
22 DISTINCTIVE FLOWER J Peacock J Peacock Mr C Perks 33/1
23 SARAHS BOY Babcock Pullen Mr J Babcock 33/1
F WIND WHISTLE Hawke W Hawke Mr W Hawke 33/1
PU SPECIAL DISH Smith C Bell Mr C Bell 33/1
PU DEVON PETER H East Bobby Renton Mr Bobby Renton 33/1
PU BEAU JAMES Stan Mellor P Allingham Mr P Allingham 20/1
PU NOSEY Terry Biddlecombe Todd Mr J King 13/2
        Over round 169%
This race was staged on Wednesday 14th March 1962 when St Stephen beat Devon Cawvone and Carrigeen Duff by 3 lengths and 2 lengths