JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle

The JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle is a Grade 2 hurdle race run at Cheltenham Racecourse on Festival Trials Day. The race is run over two miles and 1 furlong. There are eight hurdles to be jumped. This race is worth approximately £45,000 to the winning connections. The race is open to horses aged four years old.

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Overview

As the name suggests, the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle serves as a key trial for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Established in 1985 and originally registered as the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle, the race is open to four-year-old runners and takes place over two miles and one furlong. It is typically held on Trials Day at Cheltenham, the last Saturday in January.

Several past winners have gone on to win the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, including Katchit (2007), Peace And Co (2015), and Defi Du Seuil (2017), all of whom secured victory in this trial before triumphing in the main event. The race offers a purse of around £45,000 to the winner and is often a springboard to bigger targets.

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics

Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, with five victories. His winning horses include Rolling Star (2013), Peace And Co (2015), Protek Des Flos (2016), Apples Shakira (2018), and Sir Gino (2024). Other notable trainers with multiple wins include Alan King (4), Nick Williams (2), and Joseph Patrick O’Brien (2).

However, one prominent trainer, Paul Nicholls, has been less fortunate, sending 15 runners to this race without a win.

Amongst today’s jockeys, James Bowen and JJ Slevin boast perfect records in the race, each winning on their only attempt. Favourites tend to perform well, with six of the last ten races won by short-priced runners. One notable upset occurred in 2016 when Nicky Henderson’s Protek Des Flos (25/1) defeated Clan Des Obeaux in an unforgettable race.

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle History

The JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle was originally registered as the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle. It was first run back in 1985 with Out of the Gloom prevailing victorious with jockey Jonjo O’Neill for trainer Peter Easterby. Since then, the race has seen some star performances.

It has happened on several occasions in recent times that the winning horse in this race has gone on to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Horses that have achieved this feat include the likes of Katchit, Peace and Co, and Defi Du Seuil.

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Winners