Notable winners of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Winning at the Cheltenham Festival is difficult at the best of times, however, finishing first past the post in one of the meeting’s 14 Grade 1 fixtures usually requires a special level of talent.
2023’s renewal is no exception, as the opening race on day two boasts an immensely deep field that includes the likes of Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle champion Impaire Et Passe, Challow Novices’ Hurdle victor Hermes and Leopardstown Grade 1 winner Good Land to name a few.
The three horses mentioned above are the first, second and fourth favourites in the Cheltenham day 2 antepost odds, garnering prices of 9/4, 11/4 and 11/2 respectively.
For the winner of this year’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, they will join an elite roll of honour that comprises of some of National Hunt Racing’s greatest thoroughbreds. With that in mind, read on as we take a look at the most notable names to have reigned supreme in the two mile and five furlong affair.
Istabraq
This horse needs no introduction. With three consecutive Champion Hurdles and four straight Irish Champion Hurdles to his name, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Istabraq is still considered by many as the greatest hurdler in the sport’s history. Before those career-defining wins however, the Sadler’s Wells product made his bones in fixtures such as the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (then known as the Royal &SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle).
Entering the 1997 edition of the race as the 6/5 favourite, the then four-year-old found himself held up in the rear in the early stages of the contest. He and jockey Charlie Swan would make headway at the seventh before taking the lead at the last. Istabraq would show his class late and run on well to win by a length from Mighty Moss – and doing so – captured his second ever Grade 1 triumph.
Faugheen
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Faugheen The Machine’, this Willie Mullins-trained horse has a laundry list of accomplishments achieved throughout his illustrious eight-year career. Whether it be his triumph in the Champion Hurdle, his memorable win in the Irish Champion Hurdle, or his back-to-back Christmas Hurdle victories – Faugheen treated avid and casual fans alike to some incredible performances.
The Irish thoroughbred also has a Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle title to his name, having won the race in 2014. He was a heavy favourite in the lead-up to the fixture at 6/4, and justified the favourite’s tag to overcome his opposition by four-and-a-half lengths. It wasn’t a perfect display, with him jumping poorly at the seventh and making a mistake just three out from the finish.
As he proved on so many occasions throughout his career, Faugheen managed to recover and romped home up the straight for his fourth consecutive win of the season.
Hardy Eustace
Reigning supreme in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Royal &SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle) in 2003 was all-time great Hardy Eustace. For those unfamiliar with the gelding, he has a résumé that could stand up against any prominent hurdler of the past 20 years. And it was his run at Prestbury Park two decades ago which put him on the map, as the pre-race 6/1 shot showed all of his class to upset the applecart and take home the spoils by just shy of two lengths from 2/1 favourite Pizzaro.
That kickstarted the Dessie Hughes-trained Hardy Eustace, who went on to secure some of National Hunt racing’s most prestigious titles, of which includes the Champion Hurdle (2004, 2005), Irish Champion Hurdle (2007) and Ascot Hurdle (2004) to name a few.
