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Festival Trophy Handicap Chase

Steeplechase horse race in Britain


Steeplechase horse race in Britain

FieldValue
classPremier Handicap
horse raceFestival Trophy
locationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
race typeSteeplechase
sponsorUltima Business Solutions
websiteCheltenham
distance3m 1f (5,029 metres)
surfaceTurf
trackLeft-handed
qualificationFive-years-old and up
weightHandicap
purse£150,000 (2025)
1st: £84,405

Cheltenham, England 1st: £84,405 |} The Festival Trophy is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (5500 yd), and during its running there are twenty fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The event was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill between 1998 and 2010. In 2011 the race was run as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase and sponsored by the Stewart family, headed by businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart to raise awareness of, and highlight the work done by, the charity Spinal Research. In 2012 and 2013 the race was sponsored by JLT Specialty Ltd, and in 2014 Baylis & Harding were the sponsors. Since 2015 the race has been sponsored by Ultima Business Solutions. It held Grade 3 status until 2022 and was re-classified as a Premier Handicap from the 2023 running when Grade 3 status was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority.

Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram, Rough Quest and Corach Rambler.

Records

Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):

  • Sentina – 1957, 1958
  • Scot Lane – 1982, 1983
  • Un Temps Pour Tout – 2016, 2017
  • Corach Rambler- *2022, 2023 *

Leading jockey since 1946 (3 wins):

  • Robert Thornton – Fork Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), Bensalem (2011)
  • Tom Scudamore – An Accordion (2008), Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017)

Leading trainer since 1946 (4 wins):

  • Fred Rimell – Cavaliero (1948), Frere Jacques II (1949), Land Fort (1951), Holly Bank (1954)
  • Fulke Walwyn – Ravencroft (1961), Team Spirit (1963), Lord Jim (1971), Gay Vulgan (1977)

Winners since 1946

  • Weights given in stones and pounds.
YearWinnerAgeWeightJockeyTrainer
1946Dunnshaughlin810-10Bobby O'RyanCharles Rogers
1947no race 1947
1948Cavaliero711-10Ted VinallFred Rimell
1949Frere Jacques II710-06Ted VinallFred Rimell
1950Silver Fame1112-07Martin MolonyGeorge Beeby
1951Land Fort711-08Johnny BullockFred Rimell
1952Royal Tan811-06Phonsie O'BrienVincent O'Brien
1953Four Ten710-07Tommy CusackJohn Roberts
1954Holly Bank710–13Peter BrookshawFred Rimell
1955Limber Hill811-02Tim MolonyBill Dutton
1956Kerstin610-05George MilburnVerly Bewicke
1957Sentina710-04Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1958Sentina811-07Tom TaaffeTom Dreaper
1959Winning Coin711-07Dave DickGeorge Beeby
1960Isle of Skye910-05Tony KeenAlec Kilpatrick
1961Ravencroft810-03Fred WinterFulke Walwyn
1962Longtail711-00Stan MellorDick Curran
1963Team Spirit1111-04Willie RobinsonFulke Walwyn
1964Prudent Barney1010–11Terry BiddlecombeBobby Renton
1965Rondetto911-10Johnny HaineBob Turnell
1966Arkloin712-05Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1967Different Class711–13David MouldPeter Cazalet
1968Battledore710-10Kit StobbsArthur Stephenson
1969Chancer711-00Pat McCarronCharlie Hall
1970Charter Flight811-09Andrew TurnellBob Turnell
1971Lord Jim1010-08Johnny HaineFulke Walwyn
1972Jomon610–12David MouldHarry Thomson Jones
1973The Chisler710-10Michael DickinsonTony Dickinson
1974Cuckolder910–13Andrew TurnellBob Turnell
1975King Flame910-06John FrancomeRichard Head
1976Barmer810-03Jimmy McNaughtRobin Blakeney
1977Gay Vulgan911-04Bill SmithFulke Walwyn
1978no race 1978
1979Fair View910-04Ridley LambGeorge Fairbairn
1980Again the Same711-01Jim WilsonJohn Edwards
1981Current Gold1010-07Neale DoughtyGordon W. Richards
1982Scot Lane910–12Craig SmithMartin Tate
1983Scot Lane1011-07Craig SmithMartin Tate
1984Tracys Special711-01Steve KnightAndrew Turnell
1985West Tip810–13Richard DunwoodyMichael Oliver
1986Charter Party810-10Peter ScudamoreDavid Nicholson
1987Gainsay810-05Ben de HaanJenny Pitman
1988Aquilifer810–12Paul CroucherDavid Murray Smith
1989Dixton House1011-00Tom MorganJohn Edwards
1990Bigsun910–11Richard DunwoodyDavid Nicholson
1991Seagram1110–11Nigel HawkeDavid Barons
1992Tipping Tim710-00Carl LlewellynNigel Twiston-Davies
1993Givus a Buck1010-08Paul HolleyDavid Elsworth
1994Antonin611-05John BurkeSue Bramall
1995Rough Quest910-03Mick FitzgeraldTerry Casey
1996Maamur810-00Andrew ThorntonTim Forster
1997Flyer's Nap1111-02David BridgwaterRobert Alner
1998Unguided Missile1011-10Paul CarberryGordon W. Richards
1999Betty's Boy1010-02Norman WilliamsonKim Bailey
2000Marlborough810-03Mick FitzgeraldNicky Henderson
2001no race 2001
2002Frenchman's Creek810-05Paul CarberryHughie Morrison
2003Youlneverwalkalone910–11Barry GeraghtyChristy Roche
2004Fork Lightning810–05Robert ThorntonAlan King
2005Kelami710-02Robert ThorntonFrançois Doumen
2006Dun Doire710-09Ruby WalshTony Martin
2007Joes Edge1010-06Davy RussellFerdy Murphy
2008An Accordion710–12Tom ScudamoreDavid Pipe
2009Wichita Lineman810-09Tony McCoyJonjo O'Neill
2010Chief Dan George1010-10Paddy AspellJames Moffatt
2011Bensalem811-02Robert ThorntonAlan King
2012Alfie Sherrin910-00Richie McLernonJonjo O'Neill
2013Golden Chieftain810-05Brendan Powell JnrColin Tizzard
2014Holywell711-06Richie McLernonJonjo O'Neill
2015The Druids Nephew811-03Barry GeraghtyNeil Mulholland
2016Un Temps Pour Tout711-07Tom ScudamoreDavid Pipe
2017Un Temps Pour Tout811–12Tom ScudamoreDavid Pipe
2018Coo Star Sivola610-10Lizzie KellyNick Williams
2019Beware The Bear911-08Jeremiah McGrathNicky Henderson
2020The Conditional810-06Brendan Powell JnrDavid Bridgwater
2021Vintage Clouds1110-11Ryan ManiaSue Smith
2022Corach Rambler810-02Derek FoxLucinda Russell
2023Corach Rambler911-05Derek FoxLucinda Russell
2024Chianti Classico711-04David BassKim Bailey
2025Myretown810-03Patrick WadgeLucinda Russell

References

  • Racing Post:
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References

  1. "Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season". British Horseracing Authority.
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