Stayers' Hurdle 2026 Runners

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The Stayers' Hurdle is one of the Cheltenham Festival’s headline championship races and is the premier long-distance hurdle in National Hunt racing. Run over three miles, it is the ultimate stamina test for hurdlers and regularly attracts a high-class field of proven stayers from Britain and Ireland.

First run in 1912, the race is one of the oldest and most historic events at Cheltenham, originally contested as the “Stayers’ Hurdle” before becoming known for many years as the World Hurdle. It returned to its traditional title in 2017 and remains a defining contest for the staying hurdle division.

Run over 3 miles (4,828 metres) on Cheltenham’s New Course, the Stayers' Hurdle features 12 hurdles. The stiff finish and relentless tempo put the emphasis firmly on stamina, tactical judgement and the ability to find extra up the famous Cheltenham hill.

The race holds Grade 1 status and takes place on Thursday 12th March 2026 during the Cheltenham Festival. It is widely regarded as the ultimate crown for staying hurdlers, with many winners going on to become Festival greats.

Notable Winners

• Big Buck’s – a legendary four-time winner (2009–2012), trained by Paul Nicholls.
• Annie Power – brilliant winner in 2016 for Willie Mullins.
• Thistlecrack – dominant champion who landed the prize in 2016.
• Inglis Drever – three-time winner (2005, 2007 & 2008), one of the all-time great stayers.

Key Race Details

• Race Type: Championship Hurdle
• Grade: Grade 1
• Distance: 3 miles (4,828 metres)
• Number of Hurdles: 12
• Location: Cheltenham Racecourse (New Course)
• Date: Thursday 12th March 2026 (Cheltenham Festival – Day Three)
• Prize Money: Typically over £300,000 in total prize fund (varies year-on-year)
• Inaugurated: 1912
• Sponsor: Paddy Power

The Stayers' Hurdle remains one of the Cheltenham Festival’s most prestigious titles, combining tactical racing with a brutal stamina test in the closing stages. With three miles to cover and the Cheltenham hill to conquer, it continues to be a defining contest for the sport’s elite staying hurdlers.