Aintree Hurdle

{{short description|Hurdle horse race in Britain}}

{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox horseraces

|class = Grade 1

|horse race = Aintree Hurdle

|image =

|caption =

|location = Aintree Racecourse
Merseyside, England

|inaugurated = 1976

|race type = Hurdle race

|sponsor = Betway

|website = [http://aintree.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ Aintree]

|distance = 2m 4f (4,023 metres)

|surface = Turf

|track = Left-handed

|qualification = Four-years-old and up

|weight = 11 st 0 lb (4yo);
11 st 7 lb (5yo+)
Allowances
7 lb for fillies and mares

|purse = £250,000 (2022)
1st: £140,325

|bonuses =

}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Aintree Hurdle }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2025

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

| alt1 = Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Lossiemouth

| image2 = File:Owner The Sundowners Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, large red spots, royal blue sleeves, red spots, emerald green cap

| caption2 = Wodhooh

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Garry Wilson.svg

| alt3 = Orange, dark blue stripe, orange sleeves, dark blue stars, orange cap, dark blue star

| caption3 = Take No Chances

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots

| caption1 = Impaire Et Passe

| image2 = File:Owner Robcour.svg

| alt2 = Pink and white (halved), black sleeves, black cap, pink star

| caption2 = Bob Olinger

| image3 = File:Owner Donlon and Macdonald.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue and yellow (quartered), royal blue sleeves, yellow spots, royal blue cap

| caption3 = Langer Dan

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2023

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Michael Buckley.svg

| alt1 = White, black cap

| caption1 = Constitution Hill

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

| alt2 = Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Sharjah

| image3 = File:Owner Noel Moran.svg

| alt3 = White, emerald green chevrons, red cap

| caption3 = Zanahiyr

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Epatante

| image2 = File:Owner Mr J Hales.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, red star, yellow sleeves, white armlets, yellow cap, red star

| caption2 = Monmiral

| image3 = File:Owner Giraffa Racing.svg

| alt3 = Black, beige and black striped sleeves

| caption3 = McFabulous

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg

| alt1 = Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap

| caption1 = Abacadabras

| image2 = File:Owner Thurloe_Thoroughbreds.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow stripe, yellow cap

| caption2 = Buzz

| image3 = File:Owner Millers Bank Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, yellow cross belts, light blue sleeves, yellow stars and cap

| caption3 = Millers Bank

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner A Potts.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Supasundae

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Buveur D'Air

| image3 = File:Owner Win Only Sp Only Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Black, black and pink check sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Ch'tibello

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner Mr S Munir.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap

| caption1 = L'Ami Serge

| image2 = File:Owner A Potts.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap

| caption2 = Supasundae

| image3 = File:Owner Mr David M Williams.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, pink star, white cap

| caption3 = Clyne

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Buveur D'air

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus_star_on_cap.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star

| caption2 = My Tent Or Yours

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs S Such.svg

| alt3 = Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star

| caption3 = The New One

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

| alt1 = Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Annie Power

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = My Tent Or Yours

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg

| alt3 = Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap

| caption3 = Nichols Canyon

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Jezki

| image2 = File:Owner The Festival Goers.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, white cross belts, light green sleeves, dark green and white hooped cap

| caption2 = Rock on Ruby

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Lynn Wilson.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, emerald green hoop, quartered cap

| caption3 = Volnay De Thaix

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Such.svg

| alt1 = Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star

| caption1 = The New One

| image2 = File:Owner The Festival Goers.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, white cross belts, light green sleeves, dark green and white hooped cap

| caption2 = Rock on Ruby

| image3 = File:Owner Wicklow Bloodstock Limited.svg

| alt3 = Purple, orange seams, purple cap, orange star

| caption3 = Diakali

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Chris Giles.svg

| alt1 = Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves

| caption1 = Zarkandar

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs S Such.svg

| alt2 = Red, white star, red sleeves, black stars, white cap, red star

| caption2 = The New One

| image3 = File:Owner Hammer and Trowel Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Red, royal blue sleeves, red cap, royal blue star

| caption3 = Thousand Stars

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

| image1 = File:Owner Walters Plant Hire Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue and white diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Oscar Whisky

| image2 = File:Owner Hammer and Trowel Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Red, royal blue sleeves, red cap, royal blue star

| caption2 = Thousand Stars

| image3 = File:Owner The Festival Goers.svg

| alt3 = Dark green, white cross belts, light green sleeves, dark green and white hooped cap

| caption3 = Rock on Ruby

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Walters Plant Hire Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue and white diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Oscar Whisky

| image2 = File:Owner Hammer and Trowel Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Red, royal blue sleeves, red cap, royal blue star

| caption2 = Thousand Stars

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Dai Griffiths.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, red sleeves, dark green cap

| caption3 = Salden Licht

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2010

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Caroline Mould.svg

| alt1 = Red, royal blue chevrons, armlets and star on cap

| caption1 = Khyber Kim

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Pat Sloan_yellow_cap.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, yellow diamond and sleeves, yellow cap, red diamond

| caption2 = Muirhead

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Malcolm Caine.svg

| alt3 = Orange, black epaulets

| caption3 = Zaynar

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2009

| image1 = File:Owner Top Of The Hill Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = Mauve, white disc, white cap, mauve spots

| caption1 = Solwhit

| image2 = File:Owner Olde Crowbars Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Red and white hoops, red sleeves, black cap

| caption2 = Fiveforthree

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R B Holt.svg

| alt3 = Pink, light blue epaulets and sleeves

| caption3 = United

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner Mr M A Ryan.svg

| alt1 = Dark Blue, Emerald Green hoops, quartered cap

| caption1 = Al Eile

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Thomas Barr.svg

| alt2 = Light Blue, Royal Blue hoop, armlets and cap

| caption2 = Osana

| image3 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap

| caption3 = Straw Bear

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2007

| image1 = File:Owner Mr M A Ryan.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue and emerald green hoops, quartered cap

| caption1 = Al Eile

| image2 = File:Owner Mr M C Pipe.svg

| alt2 = White, Black diamond, Dark Blue and White hooped sleeves, Black cap

| caption2 = Gaspara

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Afsoun

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs C A Moore.svg

| alt1 = BLACK and RED STRIPES, white cap

| caption1 = Asian Maze

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Laurence Byrne.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, yellow hoop, white sleeves, light blue and white striped cap

| caption2 = Hardy Eustace

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Raymond J Rooney.svg

| alt3 = Black and yellow quartered, yellow sleeves, black cap, yellow hoop

| caption3 = Sky's The Limit

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner Mr M A Ryan.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue and emerald green hoops, quartered cap

| caption1 = Al Eile

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg

| alt2 = Beige and black halved, black chevrons on sleeves, beige cap

| caption2 = Inglis Drever

| image3 = File:Owner Sir R. Ogden.svg

| alt3 = Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap

| caption3 = Exotic Dancer

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue

| caption1 = Rhinestone Cowboy

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Terry Warner.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black chevron, check cap

| caption2 = Rooster Booster

| image3 = File:Owner Matt Archer and the Late Miss J Broadhurs.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, maroon chevron, halved sleeves, light blue and maroon quartered cap

| caption3 = Westender

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

| image1 = File:Owner Malm Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = ROYAL BLUE, yellow inverted triangle and chevrons on slvs, blue cap, yellow diamond

| caption1 = Sacundai

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Terry Warner.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black chevron, check cap

| caption2 = Rooster Booster

| image3 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption3 = Like-A-Butterfly

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Joe Moran.svg

| alt1 = Purple, yellow chevron, diabolo on sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Ilnamar

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Grimes

| image3 = File:Owner Mr D A Johnson.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots

| caption3 = It Takes Time

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2001

| image1 = File:Owner Sir Stanley Clarke.svg

| alt1 = Green and white stripes, black and white striped sleeves

| caption1 = Barton

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Jim Lewis.svg

| alt2 = Light blue and maroon stripes, light blue sleeves, hooped cap

| caption2 = Best Mate

| image3 = File:Owner Mr N G Mills.svg

| alt3 = White, black button on cap

| caption3 = Mr Cool

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Mr H R Mould.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star

| caption1 = Mister Morose

| image2 = File:Owner R J McSharry.svg

| alt2 = Green, purple sash, purple sleeves, green seams, quartered cap

| caption2 = Mantles Prince

| image3 = File:Owner Mr B C Dice.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, black hoops, halved sleeves, emerald green cap

| caption3 = Effectual

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1999

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Istabraq

| image2 = File:Owner K Flood.svg

| alt2 = Navy blue, red armlets

| caption2 = French Holly

| image3 = File:Owner Lady Clarke.svg

| alt3 = Black and white stripes, emerald green and white striped sleeves

| caption3 = Midnight Legend

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

| image1 = File:Owner Jones, Berstock and Fleet Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, black inverted triangle, black sleeves, green diamonds, black cap

| caption1 = Pridwell

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Istabraq

| image3 = File:Owner Matt Archer and the Late Miss J Broadhurs.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, maroon chevron, halved sleeves, light blue and maroon quartered cap

| caption3 = Kerawi

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

| image1 = File:Owner Aidan J Ryan.svg

| alt1 = BLACK and YELLOW CHEVRONS, yellow sleeves, black armlet, black and yellow striped cap

| caption1 = Bimsey

| image2 = File:Owner Jones, Berstock and Fleet Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black inverted triangle, black sleeves, green diamonds, black cap

| caption2 = Pridwell

| image3 = File:Owner Mr P A Deal.svg

| alt3 = Dark Blue, Yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap

| caption3 = Make A Stand

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1996

| image1 = File:Owner Mr M G St Quinton.svg

| alt1 = Pink and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Urubande

| image2 = File:Owner Geoff Hubbard Racing.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, white sleeves, emerald green and white check cap

| caption2 = Strong Promise

| image3 = File:Owner D J O'Neill.svg

| alt3 = ROYAL BLUE and WHITE DIABOLO, white sleeves, white star on cap

| caption3 = Danoli

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1995

| image1 = File:Owner D J O'Neill.svg

| alt1 = ROYAL BLUE and WHITE DIABOLO, white sleeves, white star on cap

| caption1 = Danoli

| image2 = File:Owner Hudson Valley Equine Inc.svg

| alt2 = Blue, white sash, red and blue quartered cap

| caption2 = Boro Eight

| image3 = File:Owner Mr B T Stewart-Brown.svg

| alt3 = Royal Blue, Pink epaulets, Pink cap

| caption3 = Large Action

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner D J O'Neill.svg

| alt1 = ROYAL BLUE and WHITE DIABOLO, white sleeves, white star on cap

| caption1 = Danoli

| image2 = File:Owner Mr W E Sturt.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue and white check, dark blue sleeves, white cap, dark blue star

| caption2 = Mole Board

| image3 = File:Owner Dr Michael Smurfit.svg

| alt3 = YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star

| caption3 = Fortune And Fame

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Morley Street

| image2 = File:Owner The Scarth Racing Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, white seams, armlets and cap

| caption2 = Granville Again

| image3 = File:Owner Edward P Winfield.svg

| alt3 = Red, blue stripe, white sleeves, black cap

| caption3 = Flown

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Morley Street

| image2 = File:Owner T McKeever.svg

| alt2 = YELLOW, royal blue chevron, royal blue cap, red star

| caption2 = Minorettes Girl

| image3 = File:Owner Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Forest Sun

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Morley Street

| image2 = File:Owner Mr B V Sangster.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots

| caption2 = Nomadic Way

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Millicent R Freethy.svg

| alt3 = Maroon, yellow epaulets, armlets and star on cap

| caption3 = Run For Free

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 1990-1988 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1990

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Jackson Bloodstock Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Brown, white hoop and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Morley Street

| image2 = File:Owner Spencer Wood.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue and emerald green stripes, blue sleeves, green cap

| caption2 = Joyful Noise

| image3 = File:Owner Lbi Law (873) Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Blue and white (quartered), hooped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Ikdam

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1989

| image1 = File:Owner Tony Geake.svg

| alt1 = Brown, fawn cross belts, orange sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Beech Road

| image2 = File:Owner C Maye.svg

| alt2 = LIGHT GREEN, yellow sash and armlet, check cap

| caption2 = Cloughtaney

| image3 = File:Owner D E H Horton.svg

| alt3 = Pink, silver sleeves, mauve and pink hooped cap

| caption3 = Celtic Shot

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1988

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs L M Sewell.svg

| alt1 = Grey and pink (halved), reversed sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Celtic Chief

| image2 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Sabin Du Loir

| image3 = File:Owner C Maye.svg

| alt3 = LIGHT GREEN, yellow sash and armlet, check cap

| caption3 = Cloughtaney

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The Aintree 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 2 miles and 4 furlongs ({{convert|4400|yd|m|0|disp=out|abbr=off}}), and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early April.

The event was established in 1976, and it was originally run over 2 miles and 5½ furlongs. It was shortened to its present length in 1988. The race is staged during the three-day Grand National meeting, and was traditionally contested on the final day, Saturday. In 2013 it was moved to the opening day of the meeting, Thursday.

The Aintree Hurdle often features horses which ran previously over a shorter distance in the Champion Hurdle, and the last to win both events in the same year was Constitution Hill in 2023.

The 2010 running was named in memory of Dick Francis (1920–2010), a former jockey who was closely associated with Aintree. He famously rode Devon Loch in the Grand National, and he was leading the race on the run-in when the horse jumped and was overtaken.{{cite news | title = Aintree finally gives Dick Francis his due | publisher = telegraph.co.uk | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/7258407/Aintree-finally-gives-Dick-Francis-his-due-as-a-race-is-named-after-him.html | date = 17 February 2010 | access-date = 10 April 2010 | location=London | first=Tim | last=Walker}} Since 2017 the race has been sponsored by Betway.