The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3

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: ...

hurdle A hurdle (UK English, limited US English) is a moveable section of light fence. In the United States, terms such as "panel", "pipe panel" or simply "fence section" are used to describe moveable sections of fencing intended for agricultural us ...

horse race in Ireland. It is run at

Thurles Racecourse Thurles Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the town of Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland which stages National Hunt racing. Racing has taken place at Thurles since 1732 when a three-day festival took place at the venue. The course is located ...

in February or March, over a distance of 2 miles and 4

furlongs 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 ho ...

(4,023 metres) and during the race there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. The race was first run in 2004. It was previously contested at Grade 2 level before being downgraded to Grade 3 in 2017.

Records

Most successful jockey (4 wins): *

Ruby Walsh Rupert Walsh (born 14 May 1979 in Kill, County Kildare, Ireland) is an Irish former jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen. Walsh is the third most prolific winner in Brit ...

– ''Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Acapella Bourgeois (2016), Tin Soldier (2017)'' Most successful trainer (4 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 ...

– ''Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Tin Soldier (2017), Five O'Clock (2020) '' *

Gordon Elliott Gordon Elliott may refer to: * Gordon Elliott (journalist) Gordon Elliott (born 30 September 1956) is a British Australian journalist and producer, radio and television personality, based now in the United States. He was the executive produc ...

- '' Blow By Blow (2018), Grand Paradis (2021), The Goffer (2022), Sa Fureur (2023) ''

Winners

References

* Racing Post: **, , , , , , , , , **, , , , , , , , , {{Racing Post, 833825, 2023, 02, 23, 198 National Hunt races in Ireland National Hunt hurdle races Thurles Racecourse 2004 establishments in Ireland Recurring sporting events established in 2004

Records

Winners

See also

References