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 1957 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BOLD BABY P Powell Dawson Ireland Mr M Dawson 13/8 fav
2 MAC JOY A Freeman K Bailey Mr W Simpson 15/2
3 AXIM Fred Winter H Price Sir G Munro 4/1
4 TAGORI Michael Scudamore Valliance Brigadier A Bridge 20/1
5 SANDY'S MOON Mr J Jackson D Aubrey Mr D Aubrey 25/1
6 DEUX POINTS P Major H K Jones Mr H K Jones 25/1
7 BRUNEL II J Gilbert E Parker Mr N Purvis 7/1
8 HISTORY BOOK R Morrow Kilpatrick Lt-Col N Wall 25/1
9 MIDAIR D Foster J Goldsmith Mr A Allen 25/1
10 WHITE HEATHER D Dillon Payne-Gallwey Mr H Swaffield 25/1
11 ARCEENO P Crotty Patton Ireland Mr R Patton 100/6
12 SEMINOLE P Pickford Lomax Mr W Fisher 100/6
      Over round 119%
This race was held on Thursday 14th March 1957 when Bold Baby beat Mac Joy and Axim by 4 lengths and 6 lengths