Named in honour of the late, great David Nicholson, the Mares' Hurdle has been a popular inception since it was introduced to the Cheltenham Festival schedule in 2008. Some fantastic mares have won this prize over the last few decades, including the great Quevega, who won the Mares' Hurdle six years in a row between 2009 and 2014.
Following on from the Champion Hurdle is the Mares' Hurdle. As the name suggests, this race is only open to fillies and mares, and is run over a two-and-ahalf-mile trip.
When the Mares' Hurdle was established in 2008, it only held Grade Two status. In 2015, the Mares' Hurdle became a Grade One, making it the fourth and final Grade One on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
Shortly after his passing in 2006, the Mares' Hurdle was renamed to honour the great David Nicholson. Nicholson enjoyed plenty of success at the Cheltenham Festival throughout his career, celebrating five wins as a jockey and 17 after he became a trainer.
Along with Nicholson, there are two names who're synonymous with the Mares' Hurdle; Willie Mullins and Quevega.
Willie Mullins' has won nine of the 13 runnings of this race, with his most recent triumph coming with Benie De Dieux in 2018.
Mullins' first Mares' Hurdle winner was Quevega, who won is as a five-year-old in 2009. Quevega then won the Mares' Hurdle for six years in a row, lifting the trophy for the final time in 2014. Quevega remains the winning-most horse in this history of the Cheltenham Festival.
Annie Power was expected to extend Willie Mullins' winning run in the Mares' Hurdle in 2015. Instead, it was Glens Melody who brought the trophy back to Ireland, capitalising when her stablemate, Annie Power fell at the final flight.
Apple's Jade and Vroum Vroum Mag then traded victories in 2016 and '17. Benie Des Dieux scored the following season, and looked on course to defend her crown in 2019, only for Ruby Walsh to suffer another final flight fall, handing the race to Dan Skelton's Roksana.
Benie Des Dieux returned to Cheltenham on a redemption mission in 2020. She was, however, upstaged by Henry De Bromhead's unbeaten mare Honeysuckle, who produced a superb performance under Rachael Blackmore to beat the short-priced favourite.
Concertista was expected to win the Mares' Hurdle in 2021, but the odds-on favourite was beaten by 11/1 shot Black Tears.
Mares' Hurdle Winners
Year
Winner
2023
Honeysuckle
2022
Marie's Rock
2021
Black Tears
2020
Honeysuckle
2019
Roksana
2018
Benie Des Dieux
2017
Apple's Jade
2016
Vroum Vroum Mag
2015
Glen Melody
2014
Quevega
2013
Quevega
2012
Quevega
2011
Quevega
2010
Quevega
2009
Quevega
2008
Whiteoak
Mares' Hurdle FAQs
When is the Mares' Hurdle?
The 2024 Mares' Hurdle will be run at 4:10pm on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 12th March.
What is the Mares' Hurdle?
The Mares' Hurdle is the four Group One race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. It's open only to fillies and mares and is run over a 2m 4f trip.
Who won the Mares' Hurdle?
Honeysuckle ended her career with a fourth Cheltenham Festival victory in the 2023 Mares' Hurdle.
Which Willie Mullins' horses will run in the Mares' Hurdle?
Lossiemouth, Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau sit prominently in the betting for the 2024 Mares' Hurdle.
Where can I watch the Mares' Hurdle?
The 2024 Mares' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to watch the race live on your mobile or tablet, check out our Live Streaming page.
