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 1960 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SOLFEN H Beasley W O'Grady Ireland Mr B Naughton 5/2 fav
2 FERRYMAN'S IMAGE E Springate Ron Smyth Mr Freddie Laker 15/2
3 DUNNOCK D Page C Magnier Ireland Mr T Good 4/1
4 NICCOLO G Ramshaw Fawcus Mrs I Bonsor 33/1
5 MAGICAL WAY Brabazon Mallon Mr H Rubin 8/1
6 RETT B Mullins Quincey Mr P R de Quincey 33/1
7 L'AMIR II Tory P Tory Mr P Tory 33/1
8 TUBBERCOSH Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper Ireland Duchess of Westminster 20/1
9 SPARKLING KNIGHT A Freeman Peter Cazalet The Queen Mother 25/1
10 CHASEAWAY Whittle S Warren Mr L Albertini 20/1
11 BE LUCKY J Gilbert Thomson-Jones Mrs V McCalmont 33/1
12 AXIM R Emery H Ryan Price Sir G Munro 33/1
13 PLAYROOM Speck Toby Balding Mr Jock Whitney 33/1
14 MARCILLY Fred Winter H Ryan Price Major J Wigan 7/1
15 SILENUS Galbraith A Gilbert Mr A Gilbert 33/1
16 ROYAL VILLAGE P Jones G James Mr G James 33/1
17 GINGER SUGAR Slack J Nichols Mr J Nichols 33/1
18 FIGHTER PILOT G Foster N Palmer Mr N Palmer 33/1
19 NID D'ABEILLES Slade S Slade Mrs H Slade 33/1
20 BLAZING FANCY Kavanagh W S Spencer Mr W Spencer 33/1
21 ONWARD AGAIN Mabbutt W-Evans Miss V W-Evans 33/1
      Over round 136%
This race was held on Thursday 10th March 1960 when Solfen beat Ferryman's Image and Dunnock by 1 length and 6 lengths