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International Hurdle: Past Winners, Stats & History

The International Meeting
Course:
Cheltenham
New Course
Grade:
Grade 2
Length:
2m 1f
Last Winner:
Guard Your Dreams @ 5/1
Prize Money:
£140,000 (2021)

We have a cracking card in store at Cheltenham in mid-December as the International Meeting reaches its crescendo. Topping the bill over the smaller obstacles is this classy affair which lends its name to this two-day meeting, the International Hurdle. Counting a number of Champion Hurdlers on its roll of honour, this is a race never short on class.

First run in 1963, this was known as the Bula Hurdle between 1977 and 2005, named after the two-time Champion Hurdler who won this race in 1972, trained by the legendary Fred Winter.

International Hurdle Course Map (New Course)

Cheltenham New Course Map

International Hurdle Past Winners

Year Winner SP Trainer Jockey
2022 Abandoned (frost) - - -
2021 Guard Your Dreams 5/1 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
2020 Song For Someone 6/1 Tom Symonds Aidan Coleman
2019 Call Me Lord 2/1 Nicky Henderson James Bowen
2018 Brain Power 7/1 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
2017 My Tent Or Yours 5/1 Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
2016 The New One 13/8 Nigel Twiston-Davies Richard Johnson
2015 Old Guard 7/1 Paul Nicholls Sam Twiston-Davies
2014 The New One 4/7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
2013 The New One 2/5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
2012 Zarkandar 6/5 Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
2011 Grandouet 5/2 Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
2010 Menorah 7/4 Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
2009 Khyber Kim 12/1 Nigel Twiston-Davies Paddy Brennan
2008 Binocular Evens Nicky Henderson Tony McCoy
2007 Osana 7/1 David Pipe Paddy Brennan
2006 Detroit City 4/6 Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
2005 Harchibald 10/11 Noel Meade Paul Carberry
2004 Back in Front 5/2 Edward O'Grady Davy Russell
2003 Rigmarole 25/1 Paul Nicholls Robert Thornton

About the International Hurdle

View Across Cheltenham Racecourse
Photo © David P Howard (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Cheltenham Racecourse is hallowed ground for horse racing fans. Each year the course plays host to the Cheltenham Festival, the biggest meeting in the National Hunt season. Cheltenham is home to much more than just one – albeit massive – meeting a year though.

The International Meeting is one of the other important and highly regarded events held at Prestbury Park. Held every year in December, it includes several well regarded races but is headlined by the Grade 2 International Hurdle. Run over a distance of roughly two miles and one furlong (two miles and 179 yards to be precise), the International Hurdle has been won by some very capable hurdlers over the years including the incredibly popular The New One.

The New One

The New One’s place in the history of the International Hurdle is well earned. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained runner is one of three horses to have won the race three times alongside Birds Nest (1977, 1978 and 1980) and Relkeel (1997, 1998 and 1999). Although the winner of the race now secures a prize of over £79,000 for connections, the International Hurdle has always been a race used by leading trainers as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Chart Showing Horses That Have Won Multiple International Hurdles Between 1963 and 2021

Race Origins

It was introduced into the National Hunt season back in 1963 and went under the name of the Cheltenham Trial Hurdle. That name shows you that this race was always viewed as a precursor to the bigger hurdle races taking place at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

It is increasingly rare for a winner of the International Hurdle to kick on and win the Champion Hurdle, that feat was first achieved by Salmon Spray in just the third edition. Only two other horses have repeated the same season double, Comedy Of Errors in 1974/75 and Rooster Booster in 2002/03.

The International Hurdle still plays an important part in the preparations for the biggest hurdle race of all, with a further four horses having wins in both races on their CV.

Dual International & Champion Hurdle Winners: 1963/64 – 2021/22

Horse Trainer(s) International Hurdle Champion Hurdle
Binocular Nicky Henderson 2008 2010
Rooster Booster Philip Hobbs 2002 2003
Sea Pigeon Gordon Richards/Peter Easterby 1975 1980, 1981
Comedy Of Errors Fred Rimell 1973, 1974 1973, 1975
Bula Fred Winter 1972 1971, 1972
Salmon Spray Bob Turnell 1965 1966
Magic Court Tommy Robson 1964 1964

The importance of this race in the lead up to the Cheltenham Festival has remained over the years even though it has not had the smoothest history. It has fallen foul of the winter weather on more than one occasion and was switched to Newbury in 2001 and Ascot in 2008. It has also gone under a few different names including the Bula Hurdle starting in 1997 in honour of two time Champion Hurdle winner, Bula.

A Going Concern?

It is worth noting that many racing fans still refer to the International Hurdle as the Bula. Another thing you will doubtless hear many references to in the build up to the race is the going. The International Hurdle has struggled for top class entrants at times because of concerns about the Cheltenham ground at this time of year so punters should be especially wary about getting involved in the ante post betting.

Chart Showing the Going for the International Hurdle Between 1990 and 2021

Other Races of Note at Cheltenham

  • Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
  • Arkle Chase
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  • Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
  • Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
  • Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
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  • Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
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  • November Handicap Chase
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  • Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
  • Queen Mother Champion Chase
  • Ryanair Chase
  • Shloer Chase
  • Stayers’ Hurdle
  • Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
  • Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle
  • Triumph Hurdle
  • Triumph Hurdle Trial
  • Turners Novices’ Chase

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