Mares Hurdle

Mares Hurdle

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, officially the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, is open to fillies and mares only and honours David Nicholson, who won four Festival races as a jockey and 17 as a trainer.

From 2026, it moves from Tuesday to Thursday and switches from the Old Course to the New Course, with the distance increasing slightly to 2m 4f 56y.

Established in 2008, it quickly became legendary, with Quevega winning six consecutive renewals (2009–2014). Other top winners include Apple’s Jade, Benie Des Dieux, Honeysuckle, and Lossiemouth. Willie Mullins has 11 victories, six with Quevega, but has also saddled the beaten favourite in four of the last seven runnings, including three odds-on.

Notably, longshots regularly feature: a horse priced 16/1 or bigger has placed in 16 of the 18 renewals, with winners at 18/1, 20/1, and multiple placings up to 66/1.

 

Thursday 14.40 | 4yo+ | Grade 1
2 miles 4 furlongs | 10 hurdles | New Course
Weight: 10st 7lb (4yo) / 11st 5lb (5yo+)
2025 Prize money: £120,000

 

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PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR	WINNER	SP
2025	Lossiemouth	4/6f
2024	Lossiemouth	8/13f
2023	Honeysuckle	9/4jf
2022	Marie’s Rock	18/1
2021	Black Tears	11/1
2020	Honeysuckle	9/4
2019	Roksana	10/1
2018	Benie Des Dieux	9/2
2017	Apple’s Jade	7/2
2016	Vroum Vroum Mag	4/6f
2015	Glens Melody	6/1
2014	Quevega	8/11f
2013	Quevega	8/11f
2012	Quevega	4/7f
2011	Quevega	5/6f
2010	Quevega	6/4f
2009	Quevega	2/1f
2008	Whiteoak	20/1

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