The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle competition in Great Britain for mares aged four years and older. It is raced over a distance of around 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 200 yards, or 4,005 meters) on the Old Course at Cheltenham, and there are 10 hurdles to be leapt throughout the race. The event will take place every year in March at the Cheltenham Festival.
The race’s registered name honors David Nicholson (1939–2006), a National Hunt rider and trainer who had a successful career in the sport. Nicholson won five races as a rider and seventeen times as a trainer at the Cheltenham Festival. This event was first raced on the last day of the Festival on Cheltenham’s New Course in 2008, and it was the first of its kind. In 2009, it was moved to the Old Course’s opening day. It was assigned Grade 2 classification at first, but after the 2015 race, it was promoted to Grade 1. It was known as the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle from 2012 until 2019.
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Close Brothers Mares Hurdle Winner List 2008-2022
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Whiteoak | 5 | Jason Maguire | Donald McCain, Jr. |
| 2009 | Quevega | 5 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2010 | Quevega | 6 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2011 | Quevega | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2012 | Quevega | 8 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2013 | Quevega | 9 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2014 | Quevega | 10 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2015 | Glens Melody | 7 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2016 | Vroum Vroum Mag | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2017 | Apple's Jade | 5 | Bryan Cooper | Gordon Elliott |
| 2018 | Benie Des Dieux | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2019 | Roksana | 7 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 2020 | Honeysuckle | 6 | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2021 | Black Tears | 7 | Jack Kennedy | Denise Foster |
| 2022 | Marie's Rock | 7 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
What is the total distance to be covered in the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle?
2m 3f 200y (4,005 meters)
What is the surface of the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle?
The race will be on Turf Surface.
What is the minimum age requirement for Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023?
The age of the runner must be more than 4 years.
What channel is the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023 on?
Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023 will be broadcasted on iTV1 and Racing TV. Besides this, you can approach various online streaming media services to watch the race live.
When is the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023?
The Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2022 is scheduled to happen on day one of Cheltenham Festival 2023 which is 14th March 2023.
What time will the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023 begin?
The Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023 will begin at 16:10 UK time.
Where will be the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023?
The Close Brothers Mares Hurdle is to happen on the Old Course at Cheltenham.
What is the purse for Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023?
The purse for the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle 2023 is expected to be somewhat near £150,000. In 2021, the winner took home £50,643 from the total prize pool of £90,000.
What are the most successful horses for Close Brothers Mares Hurdle?
Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) is the most successful horse in history to date.
Who is the successful Jockey in Close Brothers Mares Hurdle History?
Ruby Walsh with Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), and Benie Des Dieux (2018) are leading the list with the most winnings.
Who are the leading trainer in Close Brothers Mares Hurdle history?
Willie Mullins with Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), and Benie Des Dieux (2018) is the leading trainer in Close Brothers Mares Hurdle.
Who won the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle?
Marie’s Rock won the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase of 2022.