December Festival Hurdle

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

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Matheson Hurdle }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg

| alt1 = Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star

| caption1 = Brighterdaysahead

| image2 = File:Owner The Triple Lock Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, white triple diamond, halved sleeves, white star on cap

| caption2 = Winter Fog

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs J Donnelly.svg

| alt3 = YELLOW and BLACK CHECK, yellow sleeves, black cap, yellow diamond

| caption3 = State Man

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2023

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs J Donnelly.svg

| alt1 = Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap

| caption1 = State Man

| image2 = File:Owner Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots

| caption2 = Impaire Et Passe

| image3 = File:Owner Barnane Stud Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and red halved, emerald green sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Echoes In Rain

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs J Donnelly.svg

| alt1 = Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap

| caption1 = State Man

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci_green_cap.svg

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

| caption2 = Vauban

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

| alt3 = Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Sharjah

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

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

| caption1 = Sharjah

| image2 = File:Owner Noel Moran.svg

| alt2 = White and emerald green chevrons, red cap

| caption2 = Zanahiyr

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

| alt3 = Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap

| caption3 = Saint Roi

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2020

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

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

| caption1 = Sharjah

| image2 = File:Owner Robcour.svg

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

| caption2 = Aspire Tower

| image3 = File:Owner Noel Moran.svg

| alt3 = White and emerald green chevrons, red cap

| caption3 = Petit Mouchoir

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

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

| caption1 = Sharjah

| image2 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star

| caption2 = Petit Mouchoir

| image3 = File:Owner Mr C Jones.svg

| alt3 = Maroon and white stripes, maroon cap, white hoop

| caption3 = Coeur Sublime

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg

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

| caption1 = Sharjah

| image2 = File:Owner A Potts.svg

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

| caption2 = Supasundae

| image3 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud_royal_blue_cap.svg

| alt3 = Maroon, white star and armlets, royal blue cap

| caption3 = Tombstone

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner George P Mahony.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, orange diamond, hooped sleeves, orange cap, royal blue diamond

| caption1 = Mick Jazz

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs M McMahon.svg

| alt2 = Purple, yellow chevron, yellow cap

| caption2 = Cilaos Emery

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

| alt3 = Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap

| caption3 = Campeador

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg

| alt1 = Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star

| caption1 = Petit Mouchoir

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg

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

| caption2 = Nichols Canyon

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

| alt3 = Emerald green and orange hooped, quartered cap

| caption3 = Ivanovich Gorbatov

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg

| alt1 = Beige and black halved, black chevrons on sleeves, beige cap

| caption1 = Nichols Canyon

| image2 = File:Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star

| caption2 = Identity Thief

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

| alt3 = Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap

| caption3 = Plinth

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner George Creighton and Mrs Rose Boyd.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond,royal blue cap, emerald green diamonds

| caption1 = Hurricane Fly

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

| alt2 = Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap

| caption2 = Jezki

| image3 = File:Owner Wicklow Bloodstock Limited.svg

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

| caption3 = Arctic Fire

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner George Creighton and Mrs Rose Boyd.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond,royal blue cap, emerald green diamonds

| caption1 = Hurricane Fly

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

| alt2 = Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap

| caption2 = Jezki

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Barry Connell.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, dark blue sash, dark blue cap, yellow star

| caption3 = Our Conor

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

| image1 = File:Owner George Creighton and Mrs Rose Boyd.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond,royal blue cap, emerald green diamonds

| caption1 = Hurricane Fly

| image2 = File:Owner Moyglare Stud Farm.svg

| alt2 = Black, white slvs, red cap, black star

| caption2 = Unaccompanied

| 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 = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Moyglare Stud Farm.svg

| alt1 = Black, white slvs, red cap, black star

| caption1 = Unaccompanied

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

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

| caption2 = Thousand Stars

| image3 = File:Owner Molley Malone Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Pink, black sash, pink cap

| caption3 = Oscars Well

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2010

| image1 = File:Owner George Creighton and Mrs Rose Boyd.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond,royal blue cap, emerald green diamonds

| caption1 = Hurricane Fly

| image2 = File:Owner Top Of The Hill Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Mauve, white disc, white cap, mauve spots

| caption2 = Solwhit

| image3 = File:Owner Magestic Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, yellow stars, yellow sleeves, striped cap

| caption3 = Luska Lad

}}

{{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 Mr W Hennessy.svg

| alt2 = Light blue and maroon hoops, blue sleeves, striped cap

| caption2 = Sublimity

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Patrick Wilmott.svg

| alt3 = Red, white cap

| caption3 = Jumbo Rio

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner Mr W Hennessy.svg

| alt1 = Light blue and maroon hoops, blue sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Sublimity

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Gerard Crehan.svg

| alt2 = Red, dark blue chevron, halved sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Won In The Dark

| image3 = File:Owner Novices Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Brave Inca

}}

{{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 Laurence Byrne.svg

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

| caption2 = Hardy Eustace

| image3 = File:Owner R S T Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow seams, quartered cap

| caption3 = Jazz Messenger

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner Novices Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Brave Inca

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Pat Sloan.svg

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

| caption2 = Iktitaf

| image3 = File:Owner Patrick Convery.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and light green diamonds, light green sleeves, check cap

| caption3 = Silent Oscar

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner Novices Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Brave Inca

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D P Sharkey.svg

| alt2 = Purple, gold sleeves, hooped cap

| caption2 = Harchibald

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Mary T Hayes.svg

| alt3 = Yellow and white diabolo, yellow sleeves, emerald green cap

| caption3 = Newmill

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner Mac's J Racing Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, dark green sleeves, royal blue cap

| caption1 = Macs Joy

| image2 = File:Owner Novices Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Brave Inca

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Laurence Byrne.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, yellow hoop, white sleeves, light blue and white striped cap

| caption3 = Hardy Eustace

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

| image1 = File:Owner P Johnson.svg

| alt1 = White, blue hoop, red sleeves, red cap, white stars

| caption1 = Golden Cross

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D Thompson.svg

| alt2 = Red and dark blue halved, slvs reversed, striped cap

| caption2 = Spirit Leader

| image3 = File:Owner Martin Wesson Partners.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, orange hoop, halved sleeves, orange cap

| caption3 = Flame Creek

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs N Flynn.svg

| alt1 = Blue, white birds eye, white cap

| caption1 = Liss A Paoraigh

| image2 = File:Owner Robert Sinclair.svg

| alt2 = EMERALD GREEN, royal blue sleeves, emerald green cap, white star

| caption2 = Stage Affair

| image3 = File:Owner Mr D F Desmond.svg

| alt3 = White, Dark Blue hoop, White sleeves, Dark Blue armlets, White cap, Dark Blue star

| caption3 = Turtleback

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2001

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

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Istabraq

| image2 = File:Owner B B Horse Racing Club.svg

| alt2 = EMERALD GREEN and WHITE HALVED, sleeves reversed, white cap, green spots

| caption2 = Bust Out

| image3 = File:Owner C P McGuinness.svg

| alt3 = Black, orange diabolo, black sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Penny Rich

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Brian Kearney.svg

| alt1 = BLACK and WHITE CHEVRONS, white sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Moscow Flyer

| image2 = File:Owner Dr Michael Smurfit.svg

| alt2 = YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star

| caption2 = Stage Affair

| image3 = File:Owner Sunrise Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Green, white seams, white sleeves, green armlets, yellow cap

| caption3 = Mantles Prince

}}

{{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 Herb M Stanley.svg

| alt2 = WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Derrymoyle

| image3 = File:Owner Crock Of Gold Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, red sleeves, blue cap, red star

| caption3 = Golden Rule

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

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

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Istabraq

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs George Donohoe.svg

| alt2 = Pink, grey seams, grey cap, pink star

| caption2 = Shantarini

| image3 = File:Owner Miss Rita Shah.svg

| alt3 = Black, red spots, black cap, white spots

| caption3 = Gazalani

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

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

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Istabraq

| image2 = File:Owner B Doyle.svg

| alt2 = PURPLE, white sleeves, green cap

| caption2 = Punting Pete

| image3 = File:Owner Patrick F Kehoe.svg

| alt3 = PURPLE, yellow sleeves, striped cap

| caption3 = Lady Daisy

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1996

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue

| caption1 = Theatreworld

| image2 = File:Owner Mr P Garvey.svg

| alt2 = Red and grey stripes, grey sleeves, red cap

| caption2 = Hill Society

| image3 = File:Owner D Daly.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, yellow hoop, emerald green cap

| caption3 = Cockney Lad

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1995

| image1 = File:Owner Mr W Hennessy.svg

| alt1 = LIGHT BLUE and MAROON HOOPS, blue sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Kharasar

| image2 = File:Owner Demure Syndicate.svg

| alt2 = EMERALD GREEN and WHITE STRIPES, white sleeves, orange and white striped cap

| caption2 = Sambara

| image3 = File:Owner B Doyle.svg

| alt3 = PURPLE, white sleeves, green cap

| caption3 = Punting Pete

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner Hudson Valley Equine Inc.svg

| alt1 = Blue, white sash, red and blue quartered cap

| caption1 = Boro Eight

| image2 = File:Owner G A Hoggard.svg

| alt2 = Pink and black diabolo, black sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Tropical Lake

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs J M Ryan.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green,yellow sleeves,green cap,yellow star

| caption3 = Magic Feeling

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner Dr Michael Smurfit.svg

| alt1 = YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star

| caption1 = Fortune And Fame

| image2 = File:Owner William Brennan.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, maroon and light blue quartered cap

| caption2 = Padashpan

| image3 = File:Owner Michael Tabor.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Royal Derbi

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Rita Polly.svg

| alt1 = Red, black sash and sleeves, white cap

| caption1 = Novello Allegro

| image2 = File:Owner Miss Catriona M Keating.svg

| alt2 = Maroon and royal blue check, check cap

| caption2 = Muir Station

| image3 = File:Owner Armon Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = White, blue sleeves, green cap

| caption3 = Crowded House

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs S Doyle.svg

| alt1 = Pink, black cross sashes, light blue cap

| caption1 = Galevilla Express

| image2 = File:Owner UNKNOWN.svg

| alt2 = J Stewart

| caption2 = Clippie Lad

| image3 = File:Owner Foster and Allen Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = EMERALD GREEN and ROYAL BLUE CHEVRONS, striped cap

| caption3 = Nancy Myles

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 1990-1988 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1990

| image1 = File:Owner Patrick F Kehoe.svg

| alt1 = PURPLE, yellow sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Grabel

| image2 = File:Owner Sean Corscadden.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black diamonds, striped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Jennycomequick

| image3 = File:Owner T F Lacy.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, yellow cross-belts

| caption3 = Welsh Bard

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1989

| image1 = File:Owner Patrick F Kehoe.svg

| alt1 = PURPLE, yellow sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Grabel

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Paul Green.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap

| caption2 = Elementary

| image3 = File:Owner W H O'Gorman.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, black hoops on body

| caption3 = Wolf Of Badenoch

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1988

| image1 = File:Owner Patrick F Kehoe.svg

| alt1 = PURPLE, yellow sleeves, striped cap

| caption1 = Grabel

| image2 = File:Owner C Maye.svg

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

| caption2 = Cloughtaney

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Paul Green.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap

| caption3 = Lemhill

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The December Festival Hurdle, currently known by its sponsored title of the Matheson Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Christmas Festival meeting in late December.

Prior to 2013 the race was named the Istabraq Festival Hurdle in honour of Istabraq, who won it four times. The race was run as the Ryanair Hurdle from 2013 to 2018 when Ryanair sponsored the race.{{cite web |last=Lamb |first=Jessica |url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/leopardstown-signs-festival-deal-with-ryanair/1562846/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226205055/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/leopardstown-signs-festival-deal-with-ryanair/1562846/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 December 2013 |title=Leopardstown signs festival deal with Ryanair |work=Racing Post |accessdate=26 December 2013}} Matheson took over the sponsorship from the 2019 running.{{Cite web|url=https://sportforbusiness.com/leopardstown-adds-new-sponsor-to-christmas-festival/|title = Leopardstown Adds New Sponsor to Christmas Festival|date = 3 December 2019}} Former titles of the event included the paddypower.com iPhone App Hurdle, Sean P. Graham Memorial Hurdle and the Bookmakers Hurdle. The race was first run in 1986, and it has held Grade 1 status since 2002. It is often used as a trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Four horses have won both races in the same season – Istabraq three times, Hurricane Fly twice and Brave Inca and State Man once each.