The opening race on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival is the Triumph Hurdle. This two-mile Grade One hurdle is open only to juvenile horses, and many four-year-olds have begun illustrious careers with victory in this valuable race.
Our guide to the Triumph will be published in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.
Triumph Hurdle Result
Position
Name
SP
1st
Poniros
100/1
2nd
Lulamba
11/4
3rd
East India Dock
5/4f
Triumph Hurdle Day Card
Cheltenham Day 4 Card
Time
Friday Races (Day 4)
Status
Distance
13:20
Triumph Hurdle
Grade One
2m
14:00
County Hurdle
Grade Three Handicap
2m
14:40
Mares' Chase
Grade Two
2m 4f
15:20
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Grade One
3m
16:00
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Grade One
3m 2f
16:40
St James's Place Hunter Chase
Class Two
3m 2f
17:20
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Class Two Handicap
2m 4f
Triumph Hurdle History
The opener on Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival is the Triumph Hurdle. This Grade One hurdle was first staged in 1939, and moved to the Cheltenham Festival in 1965.
The Triumph Hurdle is open only two juveniles, and is run over a two-mile trip.
Many excellent horses have capped their first season over obstacles by winning the Triumph Hurdle. Clair Soleil won the Triumph in 1953, before going on to score in the Champion Hurdle.
Three horses have followed in those footsteps and landed the Triumph, Champion Hurdle double. Persian War won the Triumph in 1967, and went on to claim a hat-trick of wins in Tuesday's Championship race between 1968 and 1970.
Sir Michael Stoute's Kribensis won the 1988 Triumph Hurdle, before going on to score in the Champion Hurdle. The last to achieve this double was Katchit, who won the Triumph in 2007, and the Champion Hurdle the following season.
Many Triumph Hurdle winners go on to achieve great things over fences too. Commanche Court won the Triumph in 1997. He would go on to win the Punchestown Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National, while also finishing second to Best Mate in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Cheltenham legend Tiger Roll won the first of his four Festival titles in the 2014 Triumph Hurdle. Defi Du Seuil won the Triumph in 2017, before winning the Marsh Novices' Chase two years later.
Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in the history of the Triumph Hurdle. First Bout was Henderson's first Triumph winner in 1985, with the last of his seven wins coming in 2019, as Pentland Hills claimed a shock win.
In 2020, it seemed like Gary Moore was going to celebrate his first Triumph winner as Goshen strode clear. In a shocking turn of events, the leader fell at the final flight, allowing Burning Victory to come through and claim a shock win for Willie Mullins.
Henry De Bromhead won his first Triumph Hurdle in 2021, as Quilixios beat Adagio under Rachael Blackmore.
Triumph Hurdle Winners
Year
Winner
2025
Poniros
2024
Majborough
2023
Lossiemouth
2022
Vauban
2021
Quilixios
2020
Burning Victory
2019
Pentland Hills
2018
Farclas
2017
Defi Du Seuil
2016
Ivanovich Gorbatov
2015
Peace And Co
2014
Tiger Roll
2013
Our Conor
2012
Countywide Flame
2011
Zarkandar
2010
Soldatino
2009
Zaynar
2008
Celestial Halo
2007
Katchit
2006
Detroit City
2005
Penzance
2004
Made In Japan
2003
Spectroscope
2002
Scolardy
Triumph Hurdle FAQs
When is the Triumph Hurdle?
The 2026 Triumph Hurdle will take place at 1:20pm on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 13th March.
What is the Triumph Hurdle?
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade One race staged during the Cheltenham Festival. The Triumph is open only to juvenile horses, and it's run over a two-mile trip.
Who won the Triumph Hurdle?
On his first start over hurdles, Willie Mullins' Poniros carried odds of 100/1 to victory in the 2025 Triumph Hurdle.
Where can I watch the Triumph Hurdle?
The Triumph Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to stream the race live on your mobile or tablet then visit our Live Streaming page for more details.
