Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

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 The Stayers Hurdle, also known as the World Hurdle, is an important Grade 1 race over 3 miles, but started off as the Stayers Selling Hurdle in 1912, which in turn was replaced by the Spa Hurdle in 1939, albeit over just 2 miles, but in 1942 it was increased to 3 miles as a stayers race, although the Spa Hurdle was also staged as a one-off in 1923.
Early history:-Whilst it is difficult to put a precise date on when this race was first run, a 3 mile stayers hurdle was contested at the second Festival meeting in 1912, although it was a selling race on Wednesday 13th March 1912 when won by Aftermath (11/10 fav) owned by Mr J W Pullen, trained by Newey and ridden by Alf Newey, beating Port Meadow (100/8) and Borodino (10/1) by 15 lengths and 2 lengths.

Over the entire history of the race 38% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 4th 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 £80 profit, placing the race 3rd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 18% of occasions, placing the race 20th of the 28 current races.
Spa Hurdle 1950 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MOSQUITO II R Black De Moraville Major I M Floor 9/4
2 COUP D'EPEE Jack Dowdeswell Powell Mr R B Earwaker 100/8
3 FREDDY FOX M Molony Beeby Lord Bicester 11/8 fav
4 SEASIDE COTTAGE H Sprague J Morant Mr J Morant 33/1
5 FIRST SLIP Mr J Jackson D Aubrey Mr D Aubrey 33/1
6 SPORTY BOY T Mabbutt H Cox Mr H F V Cox 33/1
7 FEATHERED FISHER A P Thompson Neville Crump Mr R H Edmondson 33/1
8 FIND THE LADY F J Murphy Fawcus Duke of Roxburghe 33/1
9 WANDSFORD C Hook C Beechener Mr C C Beechener 33/1
10 LEAPING WAVE L Stephens Gerald Wilson Captain T R Colville 33/1
11 BLAKE'S GHYLL S Finch B Doney Mrs B M Doney 33/1
12 SYRIENNE F Lewis Bruce Hobbs Mrs Stanhope Joel 100/8
13 LAMENTO Lord Mildmay Peter Cazalet Mr P V F Cazalet 20/1
14 BLUE TOR T Shone J H Dixon Mrs D Arrowsmith 33/1
15 ROWLEY BOY Pat Doyle Orme Mr I Carvelho 33/1
16 BAMBINO II R J Hamey Hamey Mr S Bernstein 100/6
17 MASS J Gilbert Christie Mrs D R Daly 33/1
      Over round 132%
This race was held on Thursday 9th March 1950 when Mosquito II beat Coup D'Epee and Freddy Fox by 1 length and 1/2 length