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The Stayers’ Hurdle stands as the premier staying hurdle race of the National Hunt season, serving as the centrepiece of Thursday’s card at the Cheltenham Festival.
Run over a demanding three miles and featuring twelve testing hurdles, this Grade 1 contest has been the definitive test of stamina and class for hurdlers since its inauguration in 1912, making it the oldest championship race at the Festival.
The triumph of Teahupoo in the 2024 renewal marked another compelling chapter in the race’s rich history, as Gordon Elliott’s charge powered up the famous Cheltenham hill to claim the £182,878 first-place prize.
The victory ended Elliott’s frustrating wait for a Festival success this year and demonstrated why the Thursday feature consistently attracts the finest staying hurdlers from Britain and Ireland.
Both he and Home By The Lee are favourites for the 2025 event with Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle odds, making it an interesting watch on March 13.
As we reflect on the last five winners of this historic race, which traditionally serves as the main attraction on what was once known as ‘World Hurdle Thursday’ before becoming St Patrick’s Thursday, we can appreciate how each victor has contributed to the legacy of a contest that demands the perfect blend of speed, stamina, and jumping prowess.
Lisnagar Oscar – 2020
Rebecca Curtis’s stalwart etched his name into Cheltenham folklore with one of the most remarkable upsets in recent Festival history, prevailing at odds of 50/1 under Adam Wedge.
The victory gained additional poignancy as it came at the expense of defending champion Paisley Park, who had started as the 4/6 favourite but could finish only seventh.
Lisnagar Oscar’s three-length triumph over Ronald Pump not only represented a breakthrough moment for both trainer and jockey at championship level but also marked the last Festival before racing went behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
Flooring Porter – 2021
The first of Flooring Porter’s consecutive triumphs heralded the arrival of a staying star with a distinctive front-running style that would come to captivate racing enthusiasts.
Setting a relentless gallop from flag-fall, the then six-year-old produced an exhibition of precise jumping under Danny Mullins.
Despite facing sustained pressure from the pursuing pack, led by former winner Sire Du Berlais, Flooring Porter’s resolute attitude saw him stride clear after the final flight to provide both Cromwell and Mullins with their maiden victory in this historic contest.
Flooring Porter – 2022
Gavin Cromwell’s distinctive front-runner secured back-to-back victories with another masterclass in pace-setting and bold jumping.
Under regular pilot Danny Mullins, the eight-year-old’s white-blazed face was visible throughout as he controlled the race from the front, his metronomic jumping keeping his rivals at bay.
The victory, achieved by two and a half lengths from Thyme Hill, demonstrated the effectiveness of his trademark front-running tactics and cemented his status as one of the modern era’s premier staying hurdlers.
Sire Du Berlais – 2023
In one of the race’s most captivating renewals, the veteran performer defied odds of 33/1 to claim his second Stayers’ Hurdle crown at the remarkable age of 11.
Mark Walsh delivered a tactical masterpiece, allowing his mount to find his rhythm before timing his challenge to perfection as Sire Du Berlais overhauled hot favourite Flooring Porter in the closing stages.
The victory not only highlighted the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding’s enduring class but also marked the longest-priced winner of the race since Lisnagar Oscar’s triumph three years earlier.
Teahupoo – 2024
Gordon Elliott’s patience was richly rewarded as his seven-year-old star justified 5/4 favouritism when making a bet on horse racing under Jack Kennedy to provide the trainer with a cherished first winner of the 2024 Festival.
Despite momentarily setting hearts racing with an error at the second-last flight, Teahupoo showcased his abundant class by powering clear up the famous Cheltenham hill.
The victory, Elliott’s 38th at the Festival, proved particularly sweet after several frustrating near-misses earlier in the week, with the trainer’s relief palpable as his charge crossed the line in front of a capacious St Patrick’s Thursday crowd.