The Mares Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to

mare A mare is an adult female horse or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four ...

s aged four years or older. It is run at

Punchestown Racecourse Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 Regional road (Ireland), regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is known as the home of Irish Jumps Racing and plays ...

over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (), and during its running there are twelve

hurdles Hurdling is the act of jumping over an obstacle at a high speed or in a sprint. In the early 19th century, hurdlers ran at and jumped over each hurdle (sometimes known as 'burgles'), landing on both feet and checking their forward motion. Today, ...

to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May. The race was first run in 2004. It was initially a Listed race, was awarded Grade 3 status in 2006, and then fast-tracked to Grade 1 in 2013. It was initially contested over 2 miles and 2 furlongs, and was increased to the present distance in 2017.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins): *

Annie Power Annie Power (foaled 20 March 2008) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A National Hunt horse specialising in hurdle racing, she won fifteen of her seventeen races including the Johnstown Novice Hurdle, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice H ...

– ''2014, 2015'' * Benie Des Dieux - '' 2018, 2019 '' Leading

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

(5 wins): *

Paul Townend Paul Townend (born 15 September 1990) is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. Townend comes from Midleton in County Cork and rides primarily for the stable of Irish trainer Willie Mullins. Townend has worked for Mullins since be ...

– '' Tarla (2010), Glens Melody (2013), Whiteout (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018, 2019) '' Leading trainer (8 wins): *

Willie Mullins William Peter Mullins (born 15 September 1956) is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. Career He commenced racehorse training in 1988 having previously worked as an assistant to his father Paddy Mullins and Jim Bolger. Willie is a fo ...

- ''Tarla (2010), Glens Melody (2013),

(2014, 2015), Whiteout (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018, 2019), Stormy Ireland (2021) ''

Winners

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 ...

**, , , , , , , , , **, , , , , , {{Race Meeting, Punchestown Festival, Turf National Hunt hurdle races National Hunt races in Ireland Punchestown Racecourse 2004 establishments in Ireland Recurring sporting events established in 2004

Records

Winners

See also

References