Grand National Hurdle Stakes Explained

Surface:Turf
Class:Grade I
Horse Race:Grand National Hurdle Stakes
Location:Far Hills, New Jersey, United States
Inaugurated:1899
Race Type:Thoroughbred - Steeplechase
Website:Far Hills Race Meeting Association, Inc.
Distance: miles
Track:Hurdle, 14 fences
Qualification:Four-year-olds and up
Weight:Four-year-olds: 148lb
Older horses: 156lb
Purse:$300,000[1]

The Grand National Hurdle Stakes is an American National Steeplechase Association sanctioned steeplechase race run each fall at Far Hills, New Jersey. It is a Grade 1 event run over miles. It has been known by a variety of names over the years, including the Breeders' Cup Grand National.

The race dates back to 1899 where it was first run at Morris Park Racecourse. It was long the premier stakes in U.S. jump racing. Past winners include 11 of the 14 steeplechasers inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Flatterer (also a close second in the 1987 Champion Hurdle), Zaccio, Café Prince, Bon Nouvel, Neji, Oedipus, Elkridge, Bushranger, Battleship (in 1938 became the only winner of this race and the Aintree Grand National), Jolly Roger and Good and Plenty.[2]

The race has also been held at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course as well as the steeplechase meets at Fair Hill, Maryland and Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Grand National (sometimes called the American Grand National to distinguish it from the race held at Aintree in England) is one of the oldest races in steeplechasing and one of the most important outside Europe. The day of steeplechasing at Far Hills includes seven races, the most important of which is the Grand National.

Winners of the Grand National since 1998

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time[3]
2023Noah And The Ark9Harrison BeswickTodd McKennaKeystone Thoroughbreds5:41.28
2022Hewick7Jordan GainfordJohn Hanlon TJ McDonald5:11.60
2021The Mean Queen5Richard CondonKeri BrionButtonwood Farm4:57.20
2019Brain Power8Nico de BoinvilleNicky HendersonMichael Buckley4:55.60
2018Jury Duty7Robbie PowerGordon ElliottSideways Syndicate5:14.20
2017Mr. Hot Stuff11Danny MullinsJack O. FisherMrs. S. K. Johnston Jr.4:57.40
2016Rawnaq9Ruby WalshCyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor4:50:00
2015Dawalan5Ross GeraghtyCyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor4:57.20
2014Demonstrative7Robert WalshRichard Valentine5:19.00
2013Divine Fortune10Darren NagleJonathan E. Sheppard5:15.00
2012Pierrot Lunaire8Bernard DaltonBlythe Miller Davies5:40.00
2011Black Jack Blues8Ross GeraghtyJoseph W Delozier IIIIrvin S. Naylor5:29.80
2010Percussionist9James O'FarrellIben & Morten BuskopMorten Buskop5:00.40
2009Your Sum Man7Ross GeraghtyThomas H. VossFields Stable5:39.78
2008Good Night Shirt7William DowlingJack FisherHarold A. Via Jr.4:54.20
2007McDynamo10Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:30.60
2006McDynamo9Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:58.20
2005McDynamo8Jody PettySanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:46.65
2004McDynamo7Craig ThorntonSanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:06.80
2003McDynamo6Craig ThorntonSanna HendriksMichael J. Moran5:24.12
2002Flat Top9Robert MasseyJanet ElliotNancy Gerry5:19.44
2001Quel Senor6Cyril MurphyThomas H. VossCoppertree Farm4:54.20
2000All Gong6Blythe MillerBruce MillerCalvin Houghland4:53.90
1999Ninepins12Arch Kingsley Jr.Jonathan E. SheppardHudson River Farm5:28.40
1998Flat Top5Bitsy PattersonJanet ElliotNancy Gerry4:55.60

Earlier winners

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics - Grand National Hurdle. www.equibase.com. 23 July 2016.
  2. Web site: History of Jump Racing. nationalsteeplechase.com. 23 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Grand National Hurdle. www.pedigreequery.com. 23 July 2016.