Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

m

 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 1954 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LUCKY DOME T P Burns O'Brien Mr J Wood 100/8
2 SPRING CORN R Emery H Dufosee Mr H Dufosee 11/8 fav
3 COLONEL BAGWASH A Corbett J Bomford Mrs J Bomford 9/1
4 DEUX POINTS Lester Piggott Keith Piggott 7/1
5 URFE K Mullins T R Rimell 100/7
6 LE VOYAGEUR G Slack G Bowsher 100/8
7 STATESMAN Pat Taaffe Ireland 25/1
8 WISE CHILD Mr J Straker Bewicke 9/1
9 ONE NIGHT R Smart F Cundell 33/1
10 LOCHROE Dick Francis Peter Cazalet 9/1
11 SPRING HEATHER J Foster Geoff Balding 33/1
12 TANT PIS Mr I Knott G Sweetland 33/1
13 GAY MINSTREL Tim Brookshaw Whiston 33/1
14 NATTY BELL G Vergette G Vergette 20/1
15 DAIMIO D Punshon Ireland 33/1
16 DRAGA P Marsh Morant 33/1
17 RISING MAGIC D Hanley Hanley 33/1
      Over round 139%
This race was held on Thursday 4th March 1954 when Lucky Dome beat Spring Corn and Colonel Bagwash by 3 lengths and 10 lengths