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 1959 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CLAIR SOLEIL Fred Winter H Ryan Price Mr G Judd 5/1
2 FIREGLOW D Leslie A Lucas Mr A Lucas 33/1
3 CHANTRY H Sprague Staff Ingham Mr Staff Ingham 7/4 fav
4 VANISHED AGE G Scott Neville Crump Major R Macdonald-Buchanan 9/1
5 PLAYROOM D Ancil Toby Balding Mr Jock Whitney 20/1
6 RATHINREE Pat Taaffe H P Rohan Mr C Wright 8/1
7 POLAR PALACE D Weeden Payne-Gallwey Mrs A E Heathcote 33/1
8 BUCKINGHAM Dave Dick David Nicholson Miss Dorothy Paget 9/2
9 SPUTNIK ONE R J Hamey C Perks Mr C Perks 33/1
10 BALLYCASTLE A Freeman Peter Cazalet Mrs A Hodgson 100/7
      Over round 112%
This race was held on Thursday 5th March 1959 when Clair Soleil beat Fireglow and Chantry by 2 lengths and 4 lengths