The County Hurdle
County Hurdle
The County Hurdle is arguably the Festival’s hottest handicap, run over the same course and distance as the Triumph Hurdle, where luck in running is crucial, especially for hold-up horses.
Once the week’s final race, it moved to its current spot in 2009. From 1995–2016 it was the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle, honouring the Irish trainer who sent out 23 Festival winners. Rooster Booster and State Man both won before going on to Champion Hurdle success. Sponsors have included Randox Health, McCoy Contractors, and currently William Hill.
Arctic Fire (2017) was the first top-weight winner since 1960, and no seven-year-old has triumphed since 2003. Willie Mullins has won eight of the last 16 runnings, including State Man in 2022, while Dan Skelton has trained four of the last ten winners. Paul Nicholls has four wins (last 2014), and Nicky Henderson hasn’t won since 1997. New rules now require horses in non-novice handicaps to have at least five prior hurdle runs.
Friday 14.00 | 5yo+ | Grade 3
2 miles 1 furlong | 8 hurdles | New Course
Weight: 10st – 11st 12lb (handicap)
2025 Prize money: £100,000
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | WINNER | SP |
| 2025 | Kargese | 3/1f |
| 2024 | Absurde | 12/1 |
| 2023 | Faivoir | 33/1 |
| 2022 | State Man | 11/4f |
| 2021 | Belfast Banter | 33/1 |
| 2020 | Saint Roi | 11/2f |
| 2019 | Ch’tibello | 12/1 |
| 2018 | Mohaayed | 33/1 |
| 2017 | Arctic Fire | 20/1 |
| 2016 | Superb Story | 8/1 |
| 2015 | Wicklow Brave | 25/1 |
| 2014 | Lac Fontana | 11/1 |
| 2013 | Ted Veale | 10/1 |
| 2012 | Alderwood | 20/1 |
| 2011 | Final Approach | 10/1 |
| 2010 | Thousand Stars | 20/1 |
| 2009 | American Trilogy | 20/1 |
| 2008 | Silver Jaro | 50/1 |
| 2007 | Pedrobob | 12/1 |
| 2006 | Desert Quest | 4/1jf |
| 2005 | Fontanesi | 16/1 |
| 2004 | Sporazene | 7/1jf |
| 2003 | Spirit Leader | 10/1 |
| 2002 | Rooster Booster | 8/1 |
| 2001 | FESTIVAL CANCELLED | N/A |
| 2000 | Master Tern | 9/2f |
