Triple Crown of Hurdling
Encyclopedia
The Triple Crown of Hurdling is awarded to any horse that wins all three of the Grade 1 Hurdling
races in any given English
National Hunt
season. The three races making up the Triple Crown are:
In 2006, the World Bet Exchange
(WBX) put up a £1,000,000 bonus to any horse that wins the Triple Crown. WBX offered the £1,000,000 prize, the richest in hurdling history, as a way to boost the profile of the betting exchange prior to its launch. The bonus is split among the winning horse's connections as follows:
The only horse to have ever won all three of Triple Crown races in a season was the Sir Michael Stoute trained grey Henbit gelding Kribensis
in 1989-90. Since the Triple Crown of Hurdling was established, only Punjabi
and Go Native
have come close to claiming the £1,000,000 prize, winning two of the three races.
by a head to take out the 2008 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Punjabi fell heavily at the second-last flight while vying for the lead of the 2008 Stan James Christmas Hurdle
. Three months later, Punjabi held off the late rally of Celestial Halo to win the 2009 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle
as a 22/1 outsider.
His trainer, Nicky Henderson
, was left to lament what might have been: "He was the forgotten horse. We'd have won a £1 million bonus if he hadn't fallen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He would have won I think. He was cantering. Anyway this makes up for it." Punjabi's owner, Raymond Tooth
, later described Punjabi's fall at Kempton as, "...probably the most expensive fall in the history of racing."
, Go Native entered the 2009 Fighting Fifth Hurdle as a 25-1 long-shot. Go Native and jockey Davy Condon went on to win the race by 2.5 lengths over Sublimity. Paul Carberry was quoted as saying: It wasn't a surprise to me. It looked tough on paper, but we know how good he is.
Go Native, owned by the Docado Syndicate
, entered the Christmas Hurdle as the 5-2 second favourite (behind Binocular
), and went on to secure a narrow victory over Starluck.
A win in the 2010 Cheltenham Festival
for Go Native would have made him the first horse to win the Triple Crown of Hurdling bonus. Over £205,000 was wagered on WBX for the 2009-10 Triple Crown to be won, the market was backed in from a high of 49/1 before the first leg to a low of 3.8/1 prior to the Champion Hurdle. With jockey Paul Carberry set to ride Go Native, Meade said of his horse: He's in great order and I couldn't be happier with him. It's all systems go. He looks great, he had a little breeze out on the track and he was nice and fresh. His last piece of work was pretty good all right, we were very happy with it. Unfortunately, Go Native was unable to clear the second hurdle cleanly and could not recover, finishing the race in 10th place.
Hurdling
Hurdling is a type of track and field race.- Distances :There are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. The standard sprint hurdle race is 110 meters for men and 100 meters for women. The standard long hurdle race is 400 meters for both men and women...
races in any given English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
National Hunt
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...
season. The three races making up the Triple Crown are:
- The Fighting Fifth HurdleFighting Fifth HurdleThe Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
, held at the Newcastle RacecourseNewcastle RacecourseNewcastle Racecourse is a horse racing course located at Gosforth Park near Newcastle upon Tyne in England. It stages both flat and National Hunt racing, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate held annually in June.-History:... - The Christmas HurdleChristmas HurdleThe Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
, held at Kempton Park RacecourseKempton Park RacecourseKempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, which is a western suburb of London 16 miles from the city centre. The site is set in of land.... - The Champion HurdleChampion HurdleThe 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...
, held at Cheltenham RacecourseCheltenham RacecourseCheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
In 2006, the World Bet Exchange
WBX
World Bet Exchange is a person-to-person betting exchange based in Notting Hill Gate, London in the United Kingdom, and licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. WBX.com was founded in 2002 by Malcolm Gray but did not officially launch until November, 25th, 2006...
(WBX) put up a £1,000,000 bonus to any horse that wins the Triple Crown. WBX offered the £1,000,000 prize, the richest in hurdling history, as a way to boost the profile of the betting exchange prior to its launch. The bonus is split among the winning horse's connections as follows:
- Owner: £700,000
- TrainerHorse trainerIn horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
: £150,000 - Stable Lad: £100,000
- Stable Staff: £50,000
The only horse to have ever won all three of Triple Crown races in a season was the Sir Michael Stoute trained grey Henbit gelding Kribensis
Kribensis (horse)
Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute...
in 1989-90. Since the Triple Crown of Hurdling was established, only Punjabi
Punjabi (horse)
Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005...
and Go Native
Go Native
Go Native is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Double Eclipse and dam, Native Idea. He is owned by Docado Syndicate, trained by Noel Meade, and his primary jockey has been Paul Carberry. He was purchased by the Docado Syndicate for £25,000 from horse dealer Martin Cullinane...
have come close to claiming the £1,000,000 prize, winning two of the three races.
Punjabi (2008/09)
Punjabi the first horse to win two legs of the Triple Crown of Hurdling. After narrowly beating out former champion SublimitySublimity (horse)
Sublimity is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse whose Flat racing and hurdling career was highlighted in 2007 when he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...
by a head to take out the 2008 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Punjabi fell heavily at the second-last flight while vying for the lead of the 2008 Stan James Christmas Hurdle
Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
. Three months later, Punjabi held off the late rally of Celestial Halo to win the 2009 Smurfit Kappa 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...
as a 22/1 outsider.
His trainer, Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson
Nicky 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...
, was left to lament what might have been: "He was the forgotten horse. We'd have won a £1 million bonus if he hadn't fallen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He would have won I think. He was cantering. Anyway this makes up for it." Punjabi's owner, Raymond Tooth
Raymond Tooth
Raymond Clive Tooth is a matrimonial and family law lawyer and racehorse owner in the United Kingdom. He is renowned for representing the wives of male celebrities in high profile divorces.-Education and career:...
, later described Punjabi's fall at Kempton as, "...probably the most expensive fall in the history of racing."
Go Native (2009/10)
Without his normal jockey Paul CarberryPaul Carberry
Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers...
, Go Native entered the 2009 Fighting Fifth Hurdle as a 25-1 long-shot. Go Native and jockey Davy Condon went on to win the race by 2.5 lengths over Sublimity. Paul Carberry was quoted as saying: It wasn't a surprise to me. It looked tough on paper, but we know how good he is.
Go Native, owned by the Docado Syndicate
Docado Syndicate
The Docado Syndicate is a six person horse racing ownership group from Ireland. The syndicate includes Eamon Doyle and Kitty Carr, owners of the Park House Hotel in Galway City for the past 34 years. Doyle and Carr are also the owners of the Galway Restaurant, also located in Galway City...
, entered the Christmas Hurdle as the 5-2 second favourite (behind Binocular
Binocular (horse)
Binocular, foaled on March 17, 2004 in France, is a French thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Enrique and dam Bleu Ciel Et Blanc. He is owned by J. P. McManus and trained by Nicky Henderson. His primary jockey is Tony McCoy....
), and went on to secure a narrow victory over Starluck.
A win in the 2010 Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
for Go Native would have made him the first horse to win the Triple Crown of Hurdling bonus. Over £205,000 was wagered on WBX for the 2009-10 Triple Crown to be won, the market was backed in from a high of 49/1 before the first leg to a low of 3.8/1 prior to the Champion Hurdle. With jockey Paul Carberry set to ride Go Native, Meade said of his horse: He's in great order and I couldn't be happier with him. It's all systems go. He looks great, he had a little breeze out on the track and he was nice and fresh. His last piece of work was pretty good all right, we were very happy with it. Unfortunately, Go Native was unable to clear the second hurdle cleanly and could not recover, finishing the race in 10th place.
Triple Crown leg winners since the 1979/80 season
| Race Season |
Fighting Fifth Hurdle |
Christmas Hurdle |
Champion Hurdle |
| 1979/80 | Bird's Nest | Bird's Nest | Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon was a racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing.As a son of the great Derby winner Sea Bird II, Sea Pigeon was bred to be a high class horse on the flat, but his efforts as a three-year-old were slightly lacklustre - trained by Jeremy Tree, he ran in the 1973 Epsom... |
| 1980/81 | Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon was a racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing.As a son of the great Derby winner Sea Bird II, Sea Pigeon was bred to be a high class horse on the flat, but his efforts as a three-year-old were slightly lacklustre - trained by Jeremy Tree, he ran in the 1973 Epsom... |
Celtic Ryde | Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon Sea Pigeon was a racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing.As a son of the great Derby winner Sea Bird II, Sea Pigeon was bred to be a high class horse on the flat, but his efforts as a three-year-old were slightly lacklustre - trained by Jeremy Tree, he ran in the 1973 Epsom... |
| 1981/82 | Ekbalco | RNR | For Auction |
| 1982/83 | Donegal Prince | Ekbalco | Gaye Brief |
| 1983/84 | Gaye Brief | Dawn Run Dawn Run Dawn Run was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at the festival in 1986. Dawn Run was the only racehorse to have... |
Dawn Run Dawn Run Dawn Run was a Thoroughbred racehorse who was the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over fences at the festival in 1986. Dawn Run was the only racehorse to have... |
| 1984/85 | Browne's Gazette | Browne's Gazette | See You Then |
| 1985/86 | Out of the Gloom | Aonoch | See You Then |
| 1986/87 | Tom Sharp | Nohalmdun | See You Then |
| 1987/88 | Floyd Floyd (horse) Floyd was an English bred and English trained National Hunt racehorse sired by Relko. The horse was named after the english progressive rock band Pink Floyd.... |
Osric | Celtic Shot |
| 1988/89 | Floyd Floyd (horse) Floyd was an English bred and English trained National Hunt racehorse sired by Relko. The horse was named after the english progressive rock band Pink Floyd.... |
Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute... |
Beech Road |
| 1989/90 | Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute... |
Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute... |
Kribensis Kribensis (horse) Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute... |
| 1990/91 | Beech Road | Fidway | Morley Street |
| 1991/92 | Royal Derbi | Gran Alba | Royal Gait |
| 1992/93 | Halkopous | Mighty Mogul | Granville Again |
| 1993/94 | RNR | Muse | Flakey Dove |
| 1994/95 | Batabanoo | Absalom's Lady | Alderbrook Alderbrook Alderbrook was an entire horse who won the Champion Hurdle in 1995 and was runner up in 1996. He was the top rated Hurdler by Timeform in both 1995 and 1996 in their publication, Chasers & Hurdlers.... |
| 1995/96 | Padre Mio | RNR | Collier Bay Collier Bay Collier Bay is a natural bay off the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-References:... |
| 1996/97 | Space Trucker | RNR | Make A Stand Make A Stand (horse) Make A Stand is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career which lasted from 1993 to 2000 he ran thirty times, both on the flat and over hurdles, and won twelve races... |
| 1997/98 | Star Rage | Kerawi | Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion... |
| 1998/99 | Dato Star | French Holly | Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion... |
| 1999/00 | Dato Star | Dato Star | Istabraq Istabraq Istabraq is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was most famous for his hurdling. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells, a son of Northern Dancer, and a Secretariat mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby winner Secreto. He won the Champion... |
| 2000/01 | Barton | Geos GEOS GEOS may refer to:Computer software*GEOS , an operating system originally designed for the Commodore 64*GEOS , a DOS-based graphical user interface and x86 operating system... |
RNR |
| 2001/02 | Landing Light | Landing Light | Hors La Loi III Hors La Loi III Hors La Loi III was a French-bred AQPS racehorse who won the 2002 Champion Hurdle. A dark bay gelding with a narrow blaze and white hind feet, he developed a reputation for being rather inconsistent, but was one of the most talented hurdlers of his era with a peak rating of 165.-Background:Hors La... |
| 2002/03 | Intersky Falcon | Intersky Falcon | Rooster Booster Rooster Booster (horse) Rooster Booster was a British-bred thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2003 Champion Hurdle.-Background:Rooster Booster was a gelding whose grey coat and racing style made him easily recognisable. He was the only horse of any consequence produced by the unsuccessful racehorse... |
| 2003/04 | The French Furze The French Furze The French Furze is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Be My Guest and dam, Exciting. He is owned by Jim Ennis and was trained by Nicky Richards. Throughout his time as a racehorse, he was ridden by several famous jockeys, including Brian Harding, Tony Dobbin and Tony McCoy among others... |
Intersky Falcon | Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:... |
| 2004/05 | Harchibald Harchibald Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry.... |
Harchibald Harchibald Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry.... |
Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:... |
| 2005/06 | Arcalis Arcalis (horse) Arcalis is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for his win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.-Background:... |
Feathard Lady | Brave Inca Brave Inca Brave Inca is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle.-Background:... |
| 2006/07 | Straw Bear Straw Bear Straw Bear is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Diesis and dam, Highland Ceilidh. He is owned by John P. McManus, trained by Nick Gifford, and his primary jockey has been Tony McCoy.... |
Jazz Messenger | Sublimity Sublimity (horse) Sublimity is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse whose Flat racing and hurdling career was highlighted in 2007 when he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival... |
| 2007/08 | Harchibald Harchibald Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry.... |
Straw Bear Straw Bear Straw Bear is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Diesis and dam, Highland Ceilidh. He is owned by John P. McManus, trained by Nick Gifford, and his primary jockey has been Tony McCoy.... |
Katchit Katchit Katchit is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, the peak of whose flat racing and hurdling career came in 2008 when, against the odds, he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival... |
| 2008/09 | Punjabi Punjabi (horse) Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005... |
Harchibald Harchibald Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry.... |
Punjabi Punjabi (horse) Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005... |
| 2009/10 | Go Native Go Native Go Native is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Double Eclipse and dam, Native Idea. He is owned by Docado Syndicate, trained by Noel Meade, and his primary jockey has been Paul Carberry. He was purchased by the Docado Syndicate for £25,000 from horse dealer Martin Cullinane... |
Go Native Go Native Go Native is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Double Eclipse and dam, Native Idea. He is owned by Docado Syndicate, trained by Noel Meade, and his primary jockey has been Paul Carberry. He was purchased by the Docado Syndicate for £25,000 from horse dealer Martin Cullinane... |
Binocular Binocular (horse) Binocular, foaled on March 17, 2004 in France, is a French thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Enrique and dam Bleu Ciel Et Blanc. He is owned by J. P. McManus and trained by Nicky Henderson. His primary jockey is Tony McCoy.... |
| 2010/11 | Peddlers Cross | Binocular Binocular (horse) Binocular, foaled on March 17, 2004 in France, is a French thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Enrique and dam Bleu Ciel Et Blanc. He is owned by J. P. McManus and trained by Nicky Henderson. His primary jockey is Tony McCoy.... |
Hurricane Fly Hurricane Fly Hurricane Fly is a thoroughbred racehorse. The horse is owned by George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd and trained by Willie Mullins. On 15 March 2011, Hurricane Fly ridden by Ruby Walsh won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.... |
- RNR Race not run.
See also
- Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United Kingdom)
- Horseracing in Great Britain