The Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle stands as one of racing’s top tests. You need to know which horses can run the full three miles. Many punters lose money by picking horses that run out of steam before the finish line.
This Grade 1 race takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. The winner takes home £182,877.5 in prize money. The race covers 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards, with 12 hurdles to jump.
Your success at picking winners depends on knowing the right stats and trends. This guide shows you what makes a winning Stayers’ Hurdle horse. You’ll learn about past winners, key race patterns, and top picks for 2025.
Want to spot the next champion? Read on.
Key Takeaways
- The Stayers’ Hurdle runs 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards with 12 hurdles at Cheltenham’s New Course.
- Big Buck’s holds the record with four straight wins from 2009-2012, while recent winners include Teahupoo (2024) and Sire Du Berlais (2023).
- Most winners are aged 7-9 years old, with 90% having run 8-16 hurdle races before winning. The race offers £182,877.5 in prize money.
- Top picks for 2025 include Teahupoo, who won both Cheltenham and Punchestown crowns in 2024, and Home By The Lee, whose odds improved from 25-1 to 16-1.
- The race started in 1972 by Lloyds Bank. French-bred horses have done well in the past ten years.
Overview Of The Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle
The Stayers’ Hurdle stands as the main race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. This Grade 1 race runs over three miles on the New Course at Cheltenham, testing each horse’s strength and speed.
History And Significance Of The Race
Lloyds Bank started this famous race in 1972 at Cheltenham Racecourse. This Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race runs over 3 miles, testing horses’ stamina and speed. Big Buck’s stands as the most successful horse with four straight wins from 2009 to 2012.
Under Paul Nicholls’ training, he showed pure class in each victory.
Racing fans saw many great champions make history here. Crimson Embers won twice in 1982 and 1986, becoming the first horse to regain his title. Galmoy marked his place in 1987 and 1988 with back-to-back wins.
French star Baracouda grabbed two titles in 2002 and 2003, while Inglis Drever earned three crowns between 2005 and 2008. Each winner proved their worth on this challenging course.
Distance And Course Details
The Stayers’ Hurdle runs on Cheltenham’s New Course at a distance of 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards. Your horses must clear 12 hurdles along the 4,785-metre track. The race tests both speed and stamina on the challenging course that features Cheltenham’s famous hill finish.
The race layout demands perfect timing and tactical skill from both jockey and horse. Your runners need strong jumping ability to handle the dozen hurdles spread across the testing ground.
The long-distance format makes this Grade 1 contest a true test of endurance. Top hurdlers must maintain their pace while tackling the ups and downs of Cheltenham’s unique track configuration.
Key Trends And Stats For The Stayers’ Hurdle
Past winners show that seven to nine-year-old horses do best in the Stayers’ Hurdle. French-bred horses have won this race more often in the last ten years, with strong form at Cheltenham being a key sign of success.
Performance Patterns Of Recent Winners
Recent winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle show specific performance patterns that indicate success in this distinguished race.
Performance Pattern | Statistical Evidence |
---|---|
Age Range | 90% of winners aged 6-8 years |
Race Experience | 90% had 8-16 previous hurdle races |
Seasonal Activity | 90% ran 4 or fewer times since August |
Distance Credentials | 90% won a Graded hurdle over 3+ miles |
Recent Notable Winners | Teahupoo (2024), Sire Du Berlais (2023), Flooring Porter (2022, 2021) |
Leading Trainers | Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell dominated 2021-2024 |
Importance Of Stamina And Strategy
Stamina stands as the key factor in the Stayers’ Hurdle’s gruelling 3-mile race. Your horse needs strong legs and lungs to tackle the long-distance hurdle course. Top runners like Teahupoo prove this point through their winning tactics at the last hurdle stretch.
The race demands peak fitness levels from start to finish.
Strategic race planning shapes the path to victory in this prestigious jump race. The Cleeve Hurdle serves as a vital prep race, with past winners showing varied success rates of 2131738.
Your horse must pace itself well through each stage. Male horses have claimed all wins so far, making gender selection a crucial part of race strategy. Smart timing and proper rest periods pay off, as seen in Teahupoo’s 2024 triumph after a planned break.
Analysis Of Top Contenders For 2025
The 2025 race shapes up as a fierce battle between proven stars and rising talents. You’ll want to keep your eyes on fresh faces like Teahupoo and Home By The Lee, who have shown strong form on testing ground at three miles.
Teahupoo
Teahupoo stands as your top pick for the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Gordon Elliott’s star jumper proved his worth by winning both Cheltenham and Punchestown stayers’ crowns in 2024.
His latest run saw him finish behind Lossiemouth at Hattons Grace, yet his fresh form stays strong after breaks.
Your racing hero grabbed the 2024 Stayers’ crown with pure class, taking charge at the final hurdle. His jump racing skills shine bright on big days, making him a true force in National Hunt racing.
Past wins show his talent for staying races, putting him in prime spot for more glory at Prestbury Park.
Home By The Lee
Home By The Lee stands as a strong contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle. The horse’s odds moved from 25-1 to 16-1 after a brilliant win at the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle. Danny Mullins guided this Joseph O’Brien-trained star to beat Bob Olinger by three and a half lengths at Navan on 16 November 2024.
The next target for this talented jumper lies at Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle. The racing team plans to face off against key rival Teahupoo at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Your betting odds look more favourable now, thanks to Home By The Lee’s recent top form and growing reputation in jump racing circles.
Conclusion
The Stayers’ Hurdle stands as a true test of stamina and skill at Cheltenham Festival. Your racing choices must focus on horses with proven long-distance form and strong jumping skills.
Past winners like Big Buck’s and Thistlecrack set high standards for future champions. The £182,877.5 prize money draws top talent from across Britain and Ireland. You’ll see fierce battles between seasoned runners and rising stars at the 2025 race.
FAQs
1. What is the Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle?
The Stayers’ Hurdle is a grade 1 jump race in Great Britain. It runs for about 3 miles and takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
2. When did the race name change to World Hurdle?
The race title changed to World Hurdle when Ladbrokes took over in 2005. Before that, it was known as the Spa Hurdle. Now, it’s called the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
3. Who can take part in the Stayers’ Hurdle?
The race is open to horses aged four years or older. Many top runners like Big Buck’s, Thistlecrack, and Paisley Park have won this race.
4. Who are some famous winners of this race?
Ruby Walsh has had great success in this race. He rode many winners including Nichols Canyon. Willie Mullins trained Penhill to win this prestigious long-distance hurdle.
5. How long is the Stayers’ Hurdle race?
The race covers a distance of about 3 miles (or 4,828 meters). Horses must jump twelve hurdles during the race.
6. What other big races are like the Stayers’ Hurdle?
Similar races include the Long Distance Hurdle and Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. These races help horses prepare for the big event at Cheltenham.

James Dooley is a highly regarded digital entrepreneur with a huge digital real estate portfolio. He has extensive knowledge and experience in SEO and digital marketing. He enjoys contributing to sports betting blogs, entrepreneurship topics and advancements in search engine optimisation as an author.