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 1953 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 JACK LEAL Bryan Marshall Peter Cazalet Mrs A S Arnold 5/2 fav
2 URFE Fred Winter H Price Mr P Hatvany 7/2
3 IRISH REPORTS G Grassick Ireland Mr J de Pret-Roose 9/2
4 KELEK T Molony W Stephenson 20/1
5 TOLVIS BAY Bob Turnell Elwell 20/1
6 MISTY STAR M Lynn Elwell 25/1
7 GLORIOUS DAY G Slack W Hall 100/8
8 ULSTER PRINCESS R Curran R A Thrale 20/1
9 GAUDELUPE T Shone S Warren 20/1
10 ROUGE ET NOIR Jack Dowdeswell W Heath 25/1
11 AMIE DOR Mr W Biddlecombe H T Jones 25/1
12 STATESMEN Pat Taaffe Ireland 25/1
13 GOLD FEVER Michael Scudamore de Moraville 25/1
14 KNIGHT GAMBIT R A Carter Kerr 25/1
15 WEDDING BANQUET A Freeman G Archibald 20/1
16 STRAIGHT QUILL V Speck G F Wilson 25/1
17 GLENBEIGH R Emery Fulke Walwyn 25/1
18 GOOD TIDE John Hunter Hockley 25/1
      Over round 137%
This race was held on Thursday 5th March 1953 when Jack Leal beat Urfe and Irish Reports by a neck and 3/4 length