Festival Hunters Chase
Festival Hunters Chase
The St James’s Place Festival Hunter Chase, often called the amateur riders’ Gold Cup, is run over the same course and distance as the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Known as the Foxhunter Chase until 2020, it was renamed in 2021.
Notable graduates include Rushing Wild, who finished second in the Gold Cup after winning here in 1992, and Grittar, who took the Grand National 13 months later. Professional jockeys rode in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. To qualify, a horse must have multiple top finishes in hunter chases or open point-to-point races.
There have been several repeat winners, including Salsify, On The Fringe, and Pacha Du Polder. Earthmover won at seven (1998) and again at thirteen (2004). Female jockeys have thrived, with wins for Nina Carberry (twice), Bryony Frost, Harriet Tucker, and Maxine O’Sullivan since 2015.
Friday 16.40| 5yo+ | Listed
3 miles 2½ furlongs | 22 fences | New Course
Weight: 11st 13lb (5yo) / 12st (6yo+) | Allowance: 7lb for mares
2025 Prize money: £50,000
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | WINNER | SP |
| 2025 | Wonderwall | 28/1 |
| 2024 | Sine Nomine | 8/1 |
| 2023 | Premier Magic | 66/1 |
| 2022 | Billaway | 13/8jf |
| 2021 | Porlock Bay | 16/1 |
| 2020 | It Came To Pass | 66/1 |
| 2019 | Hazel Hill | 7/2f |
| 2018 | Pacha Du Polder | 25/1 |
| 2017 | Pacha Du Polder | 16/1 |
| 2016 | On The Fringe | 13/8f |
| 2015 | On The Fringe | 6/1 |
| 2014 | Tammy’s Hill | 15/2 |
| 2013 | Salsify | 2/1 |
| 2012 | Salsify | 7/1 |
| 2011 | Zemsky | 33/1 |
| 2010 | Baby Run | 9/2jf |
| 2009 | Cappa Bleu | 11/2 |
| 2008 | Amicelli | 33/1 |
| 2007 | Drombeag | 20/1 |
| 2006 | Whyso Mayo | 20/1 |
| 2005 | Sleeping Night | 7/2f |
| 2004 | Earthmover | 14/1 |
| 2003 | Kingscliff | 11/4f |
| 2002 | Last Option | 20/1 |
| 2001 | FESTIVAL CANCELLED | N/A |
| 2000 | Cavalero | 16/1 |
