National Hunt
In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: ...
steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:
* Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles
* Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...
in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at
Cheltenham
Cheltenham (), also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a spa town and borough on the edge of the Cotswolds in the county of Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham became known as a health and holiday spa town resort, following the discovery of mineral s ...
over a distance of about 3 miles and 1
furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one eighth of a mile, equivalent to 660 feet, 220 yards, 40 rods, 10 chains or approximately 201 metres. It is now mostly confined to use in hors ...
(), 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
The Cheltenham Festival is a horse racing-based meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. The four-day festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Rac ...
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.
Winners of the race often take part in the
Grand National
The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap ...
, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit,
West Tip
West Tip (1977 - July 2001) was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986 Grand National, 1986.
Background
West Tip was a bay gelding bred in Ireland near Fethard, County Tipperary, by Joe Hayes. He was owned by Peter Luff and during his ...
, Seagram and
Rough Quest
Rough Quest (10 May 1986 – 19 October 2016) was a Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1996 Grand National at Aintree.
Background
Rough Quest was a bay horse bred in England by Michael Healy. He was sired by Crash Cours ...
.
Records
Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):
* Sentina – ''1957, 1958''
* Scot Lane – ''1982, 1983''
* Un Temps Pour Tout – ''2016, 2017''
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Leading jockey since 1946 (3 wins):
* Robert Thornton – ''Fork Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), Bensalem (2011)''
*
Tom Scudamore
Tom Scudamore (born 22 May 1982) is a third-generation British flat and steeplechase jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National on Oxo in 1959.trainer since 1946 (4 wins):
*
Fred Rimell
Thomas Frederic Rimell (24 June 1913 – 12 July 1981), better known as Fred Rimell, was a British champion National Hunt racing jockey and horse trainer. He was champion jockey three times and leading trainer five times. Rimell was the fi ...
– ''Cavaliero (1948), Frere Jacques II (1949), Land Fort (1951), Holly Bank (1954)''
*
Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn CVO (8 November 1910 – 18 February 1991) was a British jockey and a celebrated racehorse trainer, who was particularly successful in National Hunt racing.
Life
Walwyn was born in Wrexham. His twin sister, Helen Jo ...
– ''Ravencroft (1961), Team Spirit (1963), Lord Jim (1971), Gay Vulgan (1977)''
Winners since 1946
* ''Weights given in
stone
In geology, rock (or stone) is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by the minerals included, its Chemical compound, chemical composition, and the way in which it is formed. Rocks ...
Horse racing in Great Britain
Horse racing is the second largest spectator sport in Great Britain, and one of the longest established, with a history dating back many centuries. According to a report by the British Horseracing Authority it generates £3.39 billion total d ...
*
List of British National Hunt races
A list of notable National Hunt horse races which take place annually in Great Britain, under the authority of the British Horseracing Authority, including all races which currently hold Grade 1, 2 or 3 status.
History of the National Hunt Patter ...
References
*
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting publisher which is published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 6 ...