Swinton Handicap Hurdle
Encyclopedia
The Swinton Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt
hurdle race
in Great Britain
which is open to horses
aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park
over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The event was established in 1978, and it was initially sponsored by Royal Doulton
. The winner of the inaugural race collected just over £20,000, making it the fourth most lucrative prize behind the Grand National
, Cheltenham Gold Cup
and Champion Hurdle
. Subsequent sponsors have included Swinton Insurance
(1985–93), Crowther and Merewood Homes (1994–2003) and Betfred
(2006–07). The present sponsors, Totesport
, began supporting the race in 2008. The Swinton Handicap Hurdle takes place at a meeting which features both jump and flat racing.
The 1983 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course.
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
hurdle race
Hurdling (horse race)
A Hurdle race in England is a National Hunt horse race where the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles that are over three and a half feet high. They are typically made of brush, that has some flexability. Hurdle races always have a minimum of eight hurdles and a minimum distance of two miles ....
in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
which is open to horses
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.
The event was established in 1978, and it was initially sponsored by Royal Doulton
Royal Doulton
The Royal Doulton Company is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton...
. The winner of the inaugural race collected just over £20,000, making it the fourth most lucrative prize behind the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
, Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
and Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
. Subsequent sponsors have included Swinton Insurance
Swinton Colonnade
Swinton is a British insurance brokerage and is owned by French insurers 'La Mutuelle du Mans Assurances IARD' , a company incorporated in France...
(1985–93), Crowther and Merewood Homes (1994–2003) and Betfred
Betfred
Betfred is a United Kingdom-based bookmaker, named after its co-founder Fred Done.Pronounced to rhyme with "bone". It was first established as a single shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967. Its turnover is over £3.5 billion having risen from £550 million in 2003. The company has more than 1350 betting...
(2006–07). The present sponsors, Totesport
The Tote
The Tote, formerly the Horserace Totalisator Board, is a British bookmaker with head offices in Wigan. It was owned from its formation in 1928 by the UK Government but was sold to Betfred in July 2011. Under the brand totesport the Tote has 514 high street betting shops, outlets on Britain's 60...
, began supporting the race in 2008. The Swinton Handicap Hurdle takes place at a meeting which features both jump and flat racing.
Winners
- Weights given in stones and poundPound (mass)The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s.Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer 1978 Royal Gaye 5 10-00 Colin Tinkler Fred Rimell 1979 Beacon Light 8 11-01 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell 1980 No Bombs 5 10-09 Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'NeillJonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...Peter Easterby Peter EasterbyMiles Henry 'Peter' Easterby is a retired British racehorse trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer three times....1981 Gaye Chance 6 10-10 Sam Morshead Fred Rimell 1982 Secret Ballot 8 10-03 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell no race 1983 1984 Bajan Sunshine 5 10-13 Peter Scudamore Peter ScudamorePeter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...Martin Tate 1985 Corporal Clinger 6 10-03 Paul Leach Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....1986 Prideaux Boy 8 11-02 Michael Bowlby Graham Roach 1987 Inlander 6 10-08 Steve Smith Eccles Reg Akehurst 1988 Past Glories 5 11-09 Paddy Farrell Bill Elsey 1989 State Jester 6 10-00 John Quinn Bill Elsey 1990 Sybillin 4 10-01 Derek Byrne Jimmy FitzGerald 1991 Winnie the Witch 7 10-02 David Bridgwater Ken Bridgwater 1992 Bitofabanter 5 11-01 Tom Taaffe Tom TaaffeTom Taaffe is an Irish horse trainer based at Portree Stables, Boston, Straffan, in County Kildare.He began training in 94/95 jumps season, having had a successful career as a professional jump jockey for the Arthur Moore stable....Arthur Moore 1993 Spinning 6 11-00 Jimmy Frost Ian Balding Ian BaldingIan Balding emigrated with his family to England in 1945. He is the son of the polo player and racehorse trainer Gerald Barnard Balding, Sr. and the younger brother of trainer Toby Balding. Kingsclere became his home at the age of 26 and it is here that earned his reputation as an internationally...1994 Dreams End 6 11-04 Michael Hourigan, Jr. Philip Hobbs Philip HobbsPhilip Hobbs is a British racehorse trainer specializing mainly in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables near Minehead, Somerset....1995 Chief Minister 6 11-06 Peter Hobbs Thomas Dyer 1996 Tragic Hero 4 10-09 David Bridgwater Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....1997 Dreams End 9 11-11 Leighton Aspell Peter Bowen 1998 Rainbow Frontier 4 10-00 Charlie Swan Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....1999 She's Our Mare 6 10-00 David Casey Tony Martin 2000 Mirjan 4 10-06 Tony Dobbin Tony DobbinTony Dobbin is a retired Northern Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He rode the winner of the Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997 and won over 1,200 races during his career in the saddle. He was the regular stable jockey for Nicky Richards...Len Lungo Len LungoLen Lungo is a Scottish champion race horse trainer and former jockey.Born 1949.Len Lungo is based at Hetland Hill stables in Dumfriesshire overlooking the Solway Firth....2001 Milligan 6 11-04 Norman Williamson Norman WilliamsonNorman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...Venetia Williams Venetia WilliamsVenetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England....2002 Intersky Falcon 5 11-10 Liam Cooper Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'NeillJonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...2003 Altay 6 09-11 Padge Whelan Richard Fahey 2004 Macs Joy Macs JoyMacs Joy was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won several important hurdle races including three at Grade I level between 2004 and 2006. He was also known for his long series of races against the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca...5 10-00 Timmy Murphy Timmy MurphyTimothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :...Jessica Harrington 2005 Coat of Honour 5 10-00 Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey)Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy...Howard Johnson 2006 Acambo 5 10-04 Andrew Glassonbury Martin Pipe Martin PipeMartin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....2007 Leslingtaylor 5 09-11 Dougie Costello John Quinn 2008 Blue Bajan 6 10-08 Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey)Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy...Andrew Turnell 2009 Joe Jo Star 7 11-00 Brian Hughes Richard Fahey 2010 Eradicate 6 10-01 David Bass Nicky Henderson Nicky HendersonNicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...2011 Eradicate 7 11-05 Jeremiah McGrath Nicky Henderson Nicky HendersonNicky Henderson is a British racehorse trainer. He has been British jump racing Champion Trainer twice.Henderson, educated at Eton College, has been a trainer since 1978, based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire...
The 1983 running was abandoned because of a waterlogged course.