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 1958 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 MAC JOY A Freeman K Bailey Mr W Simpson 4/1
2 BABY DON T Molony W Stephenson Mr M Kingsley 15/2
3 AXIM Fred Winter H Price Sir G Munro 100/6
4 COOL RECEPTION G Milburn Bewicke Lord Cadogan 25/1
5 LYME REGIS Tim Brookshaw Allen Ireland Mr A Allen 8/1
6 VINDORE M Batchelor Wight Mrs M Green 100/7
7 UNCLE WHISKERS C Finnegan McCarton Ireland Mr J Hale 25/1
8 KWANNIN H Sprague Neville Crump Mrs B Hay 7/1
9 STROLLER T P Burns M V O'Brien Ireland Mr H Lane 9/4 fav
10 ENNIS BOY V Speck J Roberts Mrs S Martyn 25/1
11 THE BOSS MAN Jumbo Wilkinson Fawcus Mrs I Pitman 25/1
12 WILD MAGIC B Boot T Jarvis Mrs I Ryder 25/1
13 COEUR DE MAIN Mr J Bickerton H Reed Mr J Bickerton 25/1
14 THE TUAREG R Morrow Kilpatrick Mrs V Bourne 25/1
15 TAZA II Dave Dick T Hanbury Mrs T Hanbury 25/1
16 SHAHJEM David Nicholson J Morgan Mr J Morgan 25/1
17 MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE II Mr John Lawrence Bob Turnell Mrs R Graham 25/1
      Over round 138%
This race was held on Thursday 13th March 1958 when Mac Joy beat Baby Don and Axim by 3/4 length and 4 lengths