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 1964 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 NOSEY Broadway George Todd Mr P King 100/30
2 COMANDEER Milburn Fairbairn Miss E Robertson 9/2
3 BALLINACLASHA Pickford Bissill Mr B Jenks 100/8
4 PERSPEX Vaughan J Murphy Ireland Mr P Cashman 25/1
5 SARTORIUS Fred Winter R L Smith Lt-Col R L Smith 20/1
6 SPARTAN GENERAL G Robinson Rimell Mmme P Logut 50/1
7 PORTAIL ROUGE J Rafferty Brabazon Ire Mr A Rostance 11/8 fav
8 COCOANUT GROVE I Williams W O'Grady Ire Mrs E Williams 25/1
9 OVER COURT Slade D Carter Mr D Carter 100/1
10 BIG GEORGE Smalley W Francis Mrs R Smalley 100/1
11 JAMES EDGAR Crouch Muggeridge Mr J Tilling 100/1
12 HONEY ISLE Webber J Webber Mr J Webber 100/1
13 COSTA BRAVA W Rees C Beechener Mrs B Dashwood 100/1
14 EYELIT BAY Madden Wolstencroft Mr C Lewis 100/1
15 FLIGHTS ORCHID Beasley R Price Mrs E Price 100/1
16 PRINCESS SOBRANIE David Nicholson D Thom Mrs H Swift 20/1
17 QUAERITUR J Lehane Boswell Mr D Thornicroft 100/1
      Over round 120%
This race was held on Saturday 7th March 1964 when Nosey beat Comandeer and Ballinaclasha by 4 lengths and 8 lengths