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Mares’ Hurdle
Check the latest Mares' Hurdle Tips, Odds, and Racecards for this year's Cheltenham Festival here. Find our betting trends, statistics, and past winners here.
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The Mares’ Hurdle is the third race on the first day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival. The race was first established in 2008 and its registered title is named in tribute to the former jockey and trainer David Nicholson. Nicholson managed 5 wins as a jockey and 17 victories as a trainer at Cheltenham down the years. This race is also synonymous with Quevega who prevailed victorious on 6 occasions between 2009 and 2014.
Mares' Hurdle Racecard
Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Iroko, a previous Festival winner, finished fourth in last season's Grand National and all roads lead towards Aintree once again. The form of his Ascot victory just before Christmas has worked out nicely, with runner-up Firefox not far off the principals in the Irish Gold Cup, and he is expected to be right in the mix, despite carrying top weight. Jagwar needs to finish in the first four if connections want him to join his stable companion in Liverpool next month and there is definitely hope that the step up in trip can bring about improvement. Last year's winner Myretown hasn't kicked on as expected and his stamina limitations were on display in Haydock's Grand National Trial, while his jumping has left a lot to be desired at times. Leave Of Absence went close to winning a big handicap at Ascot just before Christmas but the vote goes to HYLAND, who finished fourth there after a crucial mistake two out. Unlucky in the Coral Gold Cup when hampered by the fall of Myretown, he remains capable of landing a prize off his current mark and it is notable that connections reach for first-time cheekpieces.
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Mares’ Hurdle Overview
The Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade One hurdle race run over 2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 200 yards on the old course. There will be ten hurdles to be safely navigated during the race and the contest is open to mares aged four years or older.
The race takes place on the open day of the Cheltenham Festival with the winner likely to collect around £70,000.
Mares’ Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics
- The contest has only been run 18 times and 15 of the winners were trained in Ireland including 11 from Closutton maestro Willie Mullins.
- All bar one of the winners had already proved themselves against their male counterparts having won against them previously.
- The market is normally a good guide to this race with 11 of the 18 winners returning at 9/4 or shorter although there have been three double-figure priced winners between 2019 and 2022 with Roksana (10-1), Black Tears (11-1) and Marie’s Rock (18-1).
- Apart from the outstanding Quevega who won the race six consecutive years and the superstar Honeysuckle, every other winner has been seven years or younger.
- Having previously shown form at the Cheltenham Festival is a good guide with 10 of the winners having previously placed or won at the previous year’s Festival including last year’s winner Lossiemouth who had won the same contest the previous year.
Mares’ Hurdle History
The race was first run in 2008 when it was run on the final day of festival racing on the new course. It was switched to the opening day in 2009 on the old course.
The race’s registered title commemorates the legendary jockey & trainer David ‘The Duke’ Nicholson who sadly passed away in 2006. His record at the Festival included five wins as a jockey and seventeen as a trainer.
It was run as the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle from 2012 for seven years before Close Brothers took over sponsorship until the present day.
Mares’ Hurdle Winners
Mares' Hurdle FAQ
Who won the Mares' Hurdle in 2025?
Lossiemouth won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2025 for the second consecutive year. She was trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.
What is the prize money for the Mares' Hurdle?
The prize money for the winner in 2024 was £70,000.
When is the Mares' Hurdle?
The Mares’ Hurdle is set to take place at on the opening day, Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival.
How many hurdles are in the Mares' Hurdle?
There are ten hurdles to be jumped in total.
How many horses race in the Mares' Hurdle?
There is usually a smaller field for this race. In 2025, 10 horses started the race.
Which horses are eligible for the Mares' Hurdle?
The race is open to mares aged four years or older.
