St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase

The St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs (3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards, or 5,294 metres), and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"Foxhunter Chase" redirects here. For the race at Aintree, see Fox Hunters' Chase.

St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase
Ungraded race
LocationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated1904
Race typeHunter chase
SponsorSt. James's Place plc
WebsiteCheltenham
Race information
Distance3m 2f 70y (5,294 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 st 10 lb (5yo);
12 st 0 lb (6yo+)
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse£50,000 (2023)
1st: £24,445
Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
2023
Pink, black hoop, hooped sleeves, black cap Black, red epaulets, chevrons on sleeves, black cap, red star Violet and white check, white cap
Premier Magic Its On The Line Shantou Flyer
Previous years
2022
Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel Purple, yellow stars, red and yellow striped sleeves, red cap, black star Grey, orange star, dark blue sleeves, dark blue cap, orange star
Billaway Winged Leader Mighty Stowaway
2021
Red, dark blue hoops and armlets, quartered cap Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap
Porlock Bay Billaway Staker Wallace
2020-2011
2020
Emerald green, royal blue chevrons, halved sleeves, quartered cap Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel Red, brown sleeves and cap
It Came To Pass Billaway Shantou Flyer
2019
Straw, blue and straw quartered cap Red, brown sleeves and cap Black, white cross belts, diabolo on sleeves
Hazel Hill Shantou Flyer Top Wood
2018
Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Black, white cross belts, diabolo on sleeves Grey and maroon diamonds, grey sleeves
Pacha Du Polder Top Wood Barel Of Laughs
2017
Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Purple, red epaulets Grey and maroon diamonds, grey sleeves
Pacha Du Polder Wonderful Charm Barel of Laughs
2016
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap White and red (quartered), white and black hooped sleeves, royal blue cap Dark green and orange (quartered), dark green sleeves, hooped cap
On The Fringe Marito Paint The Clouds
2015
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Yellow, royal blue sleeves, yellow diamonds, royal blue and white quartered cap Dark blue, yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap
On The Fringe Following Dreams Paint The Clouds
2014
White, emerald green sleeves, purple cap Royal blue, yellow stars, yellow and royal blue hooped sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap
Tammys Hill Carsonstown Boy On The Fringe
2013
Dark green, grey epaulets, striped cap Royal blue, yellow star, halved sleeves and star on cap Brown, green diamond and sleeves, orange cap
Salsify Divine Intavention Cottage Oak
2012
Dark green, grey epaulets, striped cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Purple, emerald green cross of lorraine, striped sleeves, emerald green cap, white star
Salsify Chapoturgeon Oscar Delta
2011
Dark blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, red cap Red and white stripes, red sleeves, white armlets, red cap Purple, emerald green cross of lorraine, striped sleeves, emerald green cap, white star
Zemsky Mid Div And Creep Oscar Delta
2010-2001
2010
Red, mauve chevron and sleeves, white cap, red spots Yellow, dark blue seams, white cap, dark blue star Dark green and white diamonds, white sleeves
Baby Run Kilty Storm Reach for the Top
2009
Royal blue, pink hoop Black, emerald green cross belts, emerald green cap Black, white sleeves, yellow cap
Cappa Bleu Turthen Baby Run
2008
Light Blue, Dark Blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, Light Blue cap, White spots Green, Yellow sleeves, Green and Red striped cap Emerald Green and Yellow (quartered), White sleeves, Emerald Green cap
Amicelli Bon Accord Arctic Times
2007
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap PINK and BLACK STRIPES, hooped sleeves and cap Dark blue
Drombeag Whyso Mayo Ned Kelly
2006
PINK and BLACK STRIPES, hooped sleeves and cap DARK BLUE, white stars, red sleeves, white chevrons, red cap Dark blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, red cap
Whyso Mayo First Down Jets Joe Blake
2005
Yellow, purple seams, sleeves and star on cap Emerald green, black seams, emerald green sleeves, black spots and spots on cap White, black and white checked sleeves, black cap
Sleeping Night Foly Pleasant Placid Man
2004
Yellow, Brown disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap White, Dark Blue hoop, White sleeves, Dark Blue armlets, White cap, Dark Blue star Emerald green, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves
Earthmover Never Compromise County Derry
2003
Purple, White hoop, White sleeves, Purple armlets, Emerald Green cap Light Blue, Royal Blue sash, sleeves and cap Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves
Kingscliff Bright Approach Last Option
2002
Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves Dark blue, light blue cap Orange and yellow diamonds, striped sleeves, yellow cap, orange diamond
Last Option Gunner Welburn Torduff Express
2000-1991
2000
Dark blue, red cap, green spots Pink, Dark Blue Cross of Lorraine, quartered cap Dark Green, Yellow braces, striped sleeves and striped cap
Cavalero Real Value Trade Dispute
1999
Royal blue, yellow cross belts, black cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves
Castle Mane Elegant Lord Last Option
1998
Yellow, Brown disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap Grey, blue sleeves, white cap, blue star Orange, white seams, grey sleeves, white stars, orange cap, white stars
Earthmover Stay in Touch Flashing Steel
1997
Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap White and orange hoops, white sleeves, yellow spots, white and yellow hooped cap Green, white hooped sleeves
Fantus Cab on Target What A Hand
1996
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Dark blue, white stripe and sleeves Dark blue and grey check, white cap
Elegant Lord Cool Dawn Kerry Orchid
1995
Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap Orange and purple (quartered), orange sleeves and cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap
Fantus Holland House Elegant Lord
1994
Yellow, red armlets, quartered cap Gordon tartan, yellow sleeves and cap Light blue, dark blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, black cap
Double Silk Teaplanter Once Stung
1993
Yellow, red armlets, quartered cap Dark blue and grey check, white cap Light blue, dark blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, black cap
Double Silk Kerry Orchid Once Stung
1992
Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap Royal blue, black hoops White, emerald green cross belts, emerald green cap
Rushing Wild Ardesee Federal Trooper
1991
Blue and gold quartered, blue sleeves, gold cap, blue hoop Yellow, white sash, red cap Yellow, black hoop, hooped sleeves
Lovely Citizen Dun Gay Lass Crammer
1990-1988
1990
White, red stripe and sleeves, black and white hooped cap Red, royal blue and white halved sleeves, red and white quartered cap Light blue, black sash, armlets and hoop on cap
Call Collect Old Nick West Tip
1989
Yellow, black spots, black sleeves, yellow spots Yellow, white hoop, dark blue cap White, red stripe and sleeves, black and white hooped cap
Three Counties Kelly's Honor Call Collect
1988
Black, pink sleeves, quartered cap Yellow, black spots, black sleeves, yellow spots Emerald Green, Red sash, Yellow sleeves and cap
Certain Light Three Counties Acarine
 

The event is contested over the same course and distance as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it is sometimes referred to as the "amateur Gold Cup". It was established in 1904, and the inaugural running was won by Palmy Boy. It was backed by the insurance company Sun Alliance and London in 1972 and 1973, and for the following five years it was run without a sponsor. The art auctioneers Christie's supported the race from 1979 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2015 it was sponsored by the Country Gentleman's Association.[1] Since 2016 it has been sponsored by St. James's Place plc. The race's full title is the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase. Until 2020 the race was known as the St James's Place Foxhunters' Chase - the word "fox" was removed from the title prior to the 2021 running.

Qualification for entry in the Festival Hunter Chase is based on a horse's previous performances in certain types of race within a specific period. To be eligible a horse must have finished first or second twice in hunter chases, or have won two open point-to-point races, or have won one open point-to-point race and finished first or second in a hunter chase.

Only professional jockeys competed in the 2021 running as amateur riders were excluded from the Cheltenham Festival due to restrictions on grassroots sport for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[2]

Records

Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):

  • The Callant – 1956, 1957
  • Whinstone Hill – 1958, 1960
  • College Master – 1961, 1962
  • Double Silk – 1993, 1994
  • Fantus – 1995, 1997
  • Earthmover – 1998, 2004
  • Salsify – 2012, 2013
  • On The Fringe – 2015, 2016
  • Pacha du Polder – 2017, 2018

Leading jockey since 1946 (3 wins):

  • Colman Sweeney – Sleeping Night (2005), Salsify (2012, 2013),

Leading trainer since 1946 (4 wins):

  • Richard Barber – Rushing Wild (1992), Fantus (1995, 1997), Earthmover (1998)
  • Paul Nicholls – Earthmover (2004), Sleeping Night (2005), Pacha du Polder (2017, 2018)

Winners since 1946
  • All amateur jockeys except in 2021.
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer
1946 Iloilo 9 Harry Freeman-Jackson Harry Freeman-Jackson
1947 Lucky Purchase 9 John Nichols Sidney Banks
1948 State Control 8 Harry Llewellyn Harry Llewellyn
1949 no race 1949 [lower-alpha 1]
1950 Greenwood 13 John Stuart-Evans J. T. Evans
1951 Halloween 6 Dickie Smalley Bill Wightman
1952 Parasol II 7 Ivor Kerwood A. Walton
1953 Dunboy II (DH) 9 Charlie Scott P. Bruce
1953 Merry (DH) 13 Gay Kindersley Alec Kerr
1954 Happymint 9 Danny Moralee Stewart Wight
1955 no race 1955 [lower-alpha 1]
1956 The Callant 8 John Scott-Aiton Stewart Wight
1957 The Callant 9 John Scott-Aiton Stewart Wight
1958 Whinstone Hill 9 Bobby Brewis Bobby Brewis
1959 Some Baby 10 John Thorne Tim Rootes
1960 Whinstone Hill 11 Bobby Brewis Bobby Brewis
1961 College Master 11 Laurie Morgan Laurie Morgan
1962 College Master 12 Laurie Morgan Laurie Morgan
1963 Grand Morn II 9 R. Bloomfield G. Shepheard
1964 Freddie 7 Alan Mactaggart Reg Tweedie
1965 Woodside Terrace 12 Dick Woodhouse Dick Woodhouse
1966 Straight Lady 10 Richard Shepherd William Shepherd
1967 Mulbarton 11 Nick Gaselee Ian Pattullo
1968 Bright Beach 8 Charlie Macmillan Geordie Dun
1969 Queens Guide 8 G. Wade Willie Wade
1970 Highworth 11 Dick Woodhouse Dick Woodhouse
1971 Hope Again 9 Richard Smith Denis Windell
1972 Credit Call 8 Chris Collins Arthur Stephenson
1973 Bullocks Horn 10 Lord Oaksey Bob Turnell
1974 Corrie Burn 8 Ian Williams George Fairbairn
1975 Real Rascal 12 George Hyatt Barbara Surman
1976 False Note 10 Bryan Smart John Horton
1977 Long Lane 9 Richard Shepherd Richard Shepherd
1978 Timmie's Battle 7 Peter Greenall Arthur Stephenson
1979 Spartan Missile 7 John Thorne John Thorne
1980 Rolls Rambler 9 Oliver Sherwood Fred Winter
1981 Grittar 8 Dick Saunders Frank Gilman
1982 The Drunken Duck 9 Brod Munro-Wilson Brod Munro-Wilson
1983 Eliogarty 8 Caroline Beasley Barry Kelly
1984 Venture to Cognac 11 Oliver Sherwood Fred Winter
1985 Elmboy 7 Alan Hill Norman Mawle
1986 Attitude Adjuster 6 Ted Walsh Mouse Morris
1987 Observe 11 Charlie Brooks Fred Winter
1988 Certain Light 10 Paul Hacking Jean Campbell
1989 Three Counties 12 Katie Rimell Mercy Rimell
1990 Call Collect 9 Ray Martin John Parkes
1991 Lovely Citizen 8 Willie O'Sullivan Eugene M. O'Sullivan
1992 Rushing Wild 7 Justin Farthing Richard Barber
1993 Double Silk 9 Ron Treloggen Reg Wilkins
1994 Double Silk 10 Ron Treloggen Reg Wilkins
1995 Fantus 8 Polly Curling Richard Barber
1996 Elegant Lord 8 Enda Bolger Enda Bolger
1997 Fantus 10 Tim Mitchell Richard Barber
1998 Earthmover 7 Joe Tizzard Richard Barber
1999 Castle Mane 7 Ben Pollock Caroline Bailey
2000 Cavalero 11 Alex Charles-Jones John Manners
2001 no race 2001 [lower-alpha 2]
2002 Last Option 10 Fiona Needham Robin Tate
2003 Kingscliff 6 Richard Young Sally Alner
2004 Earthmover 13 Rilly Goschen Paul Nicholls
2005 Sleeping Night 9 Colman Sweeney Paul Nicholls
2006 Whyso Mayo 9 Damien Murphy Raymond Hurley
2007 Drombeag 9 J. T. McNamara Jonjo O'Neill
2008 Amicelli 9 Oliver Greenall Cherry Coward
2009 Cappa Bleu 7 Richard Burton Sheila Crow
2010 Baby Run 10 Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies
2011 Zemsky 8 Derek O'Connor Ian Ferguson
2012 Salsify 7 Colman Sweeney Roger Sweeney
2013 Salsify 8 Colman Sweeney Roger Sweeney
2014 Tammys Hill 9 James Smyth Liam Lennon
2015 On The Fringe 10 Nina Carberry Enda Bolger
2016 On The Fringe 11 Nina Carberry Enda Bolger
2017 Pacha Du Polder 10 Bryony Frost Paul Nicholls
2018 Pacha Du Polder 11 Harriet Tucker Paul Nicholls
2019 Hazel Hill 11 Alex Edwards Philip Rowley
2020 It Came to Pass 10 Maxine O'Sullivan Eugene O'Sullivan
2021 Porlock Bay 10 Lorcan Williams Will Biddick
2022 Billaway 10 Patrick Mullins Willie Mullins
2023 Premier Magic 10 Bradley Gibbs Bradley Gibbs
  1. The race was abandoned in 1949 due to frost, and in 1955 due to snow
  2. The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis

See also

References
  1. Marcus Armytage. "Country Gentleman's Association unveiled as new sponsor for Cheltenham Foxhunter". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  2. Scargill, Peter; Boylan, Mark (24 February 2021). "Star riders forced to miss Cheltenham as amateurs are barred from festival". Racing Post. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  • Race Recordings


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