The Festival Trophy is a Grade 3
National Hunt 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 (), 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.
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
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.
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 – ''An Accordion (2008), Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017)''
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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
pound
Pound or Pounds may refer to:
Units
* Pound (currency), a unit of currency
* Pound sterling, the official currency of the United Kingdom
* Pound (mass), a unit of mass
* Pound (force), a unit of force
* Rail pound, in rail profile
Symbols
* Po ...
s.''
See also
*
Horse racing in Great Britain
*
List of British National Hunt races
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 ...
:
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pedigreequery.com– ''William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase – Cheltenham.''
– ''Racenews Archive (21 February 2008).''
*
* Race Recording
{{Cheltenham Festival
National Hunt races in Great Britain
Cheltenham Racecourse
National Hunt chases