The Liverpool Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and ½ furlong (3 miles and 149 yards, or 4,964 metres), and during its running there are thirteen hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year at the Grand National meeting in early April.
| Grade 1 race | |
| Location | Aintree Racecourse Merseyside, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1974 |
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | JRL Group |
| Website | Aintree |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3m 149y (4,964 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 10 st 8 lb (4yo); 11 st 7 lb (5yo+) Allowances 7 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £250,000 (2022) 1st: £140,325 |
| 2024 | ||
 |  |  |
| Strong Leader | Buddy One | Hiddenvalley Lake |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
 |  |  |
| Sire Du Berlais | Marie's Rock | Flooring Porter |
| 2022 | ||
 | | |
| Sire Du Berlais | Flooring Porter | Champ |
| 2021 | ||
 |  |  |
| Thyme Hill | Roksana | Thomas Darby |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ||
 | |  |
| If The Cap Fits | Roksana | Apple's Jade |
| 2018 | ||
|  |  |
| Identity Thief | Wholestone | Sam Spinner |
| 2017 | ||
|  |  |
| Yanworth | Supasundae | Snow Falcon |
| 2016 | ||
 |  | |
| Thistlecrack | Shaneshill | Prince of Scars |
| 2015 | ||
 |  |  |
| Whisper | Cole Harden | Un Temps Pour Tout |
| 2014 | ||
| |  |
| Whisper | At Fishers Cross | Thousand Stars |
| 2013 | ||
 |  |  |
| Solwhit | Holywell | Smad Place |
| 2012 | ||
 |  |  |
| Big Buck's | Crack Away Jack | Across The Bay |
| 2011 | ||
|  |  |
| Big Buck's | Grands Crus | Won in the Dark |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
|  |  |
| Big Buck's | Souffleur | Possol |
| 2009 | ||
|  |  |
| Big Buck's | Mighty Man | Fair Along |
| 2008 | ||
 |  | |
| Blazing Bailey | Faasel | Inglis Drever |
| 2007 | ||
| |  |
| Mighty Man | Black Jack Ketchum | Inglis Drever |
| 2006 | ||
|  | |
| Mighty Man | My Way de Solzen | No Refuge |
| 2005 | ||
 |  |  |
| Monet's Garden | Mr Ed | Tumbling Dice |
| 2004 | ||
 | |  |
| Iris's Gift | Royal Rosa | Aine Dubh |
| 2003 | ||
 |  |  |
| Deano's Beeno | Frosty Canyon | Stromness |
| 2002 | ||
 |  |  |
| Spendid | Brother Joe | Carlovent |
| 2001 | ||
 |  |  |
| Maid Equal | Anzum | Merry Masquerade |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
 |  |  |
| Teaatral | Rubhahunish | Audacter |
| 1999 | ||
|  |  |
| Galant Moss | Lord Jim | Paddy's Return |
| 1998 | ||
 |  |  |
| Marello | Gysart | Ocean Hawk |
| 1997 | ||
 |  |  |
| Trainglot | Pleasureland | Sassiver |
| 1996 | ||
 |  |  |
| Pleasure Shared | Seekin Cash | Gillan Cove |
| 1995 | ||
.svg) |  |  |
| Cab on Target | Bokaro | Spring Marathon |
| 1994 | ||
 |  | |
| Sweet Glow | Avro Anson | Time for a Run |
| 1993 | ||
 |  | |
| Sweet Duke | Burgoyne | Avro Anson |
| 1992 | ||
 |  |  |
| Pragada | Trapper John | Sweet Glow |
| 1991 | ||
 |  |  |
| Mole Board | Yaheeb | Upton Park |
| 1990-1988 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
 |  |  |
| Battalion | Maelkar | Old Dundalk |
| 1988 | ||
 | |  |
| Gaye Brief | Pragada | Ruby Flight |
History
The event was established in 1974, and it was originally held at Ascot. During the first part of its history it was called the Long Distance Hurdle, and it was initially contested over 3 miles. For a period it was classed at Grade 2 level.
The race was transferred to Aintree in 2004, and since then it has been named after the nearby city of Liverpool. Its original distance has been extended by 110 yards.
The Liverpool Hurdle was promoted to Grade 1 status in 2010, and it currently takes place on the final day of the three-day Grand National meeting. Prior to 2013 it was the opening race on the first day of the meeting.
The field usually includes horses which ran previously in the Stayers' Hurdle, and the last to win both races in the same year was Sire du Berlais in 2023.
Records
Most successful horse (4 wins):
- Big Buck's – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Leading jockey (5 wins):
- Peter Scudamore – Gaye Chance (1982), Bajan Sunshine (1985), Gaye Brief (1986), Mrs Muck (1987), Pragada (1992)
Leading trainer (5 wins):
- Martin Pipe – Pragada (1992), Sweet Glow (1994), Galant Moss (1999), Maid Equal (2001), Deano's Beeno (2003)
Winners
See also
- Horse racing in Great Britain
- List of British National Hunt races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1974 – this race is included under its original title, Long Distance Hurdle.
References
- aintree.co.uk – 2010 John Smith's Grand National Media Guide.
- pedigreequery.com – Liverpool Hurdle (Long Distance Hurdle) – Aintree.
- Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 65. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.