Festival Trophy Handicap Chase

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

{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}

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

{{Infobox horseraces

|class = Premier Handicap

|horse race = Festival Trophy

|image =

|caption =

|location = Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England

|inaugurated =

|race type = Steeplechase

|sponsor = Ultima Business Solutions

|website = [https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/ Cheltenham]

|distance = 3m 1f (5,029 metres)

|surface = Turf

|track = Left-handed

|qualification = Five-years-old and up

|weight = Handicap

|purse = £150,000 (2025)
1st: £84,405

}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Festival Trophy Handicap Chase}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2025

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs C Wymer and Mr Pjs Russell.svg

| alt1 = Red, black epaulets and armlets, black cap, red star

| caption1 = Myretown

| image2 = File:Owner The Wychwood Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Black, white triple diamond, white and black striped sleeves, black cap, white diamond

| caption2 = The Changing Man

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

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow stars on sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Malina Girl

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Sir Francis Brooke.svg

| alt1 = Cream, strawberry collar, cuffs and cap

| caption1 = Chianti Classico

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs G Morgan.svg

| alt2 = Beige, dark green hoop and armlets, maroon cap

| caption2 = Twig

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

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption3 = Meetingofthewaters

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2023

| image1 = File:Owner The Ramblers.svg

| alt1 = Purple, yellow chevrons, armlets and star on cap

| caption1 = Corach Rambler

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Bernardine Mulryan.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, yellow stripe, red cap

| caption2 = Fastorslow

| image3 = File:Owner Barrowman Racing Limited.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, emerald green chevrons, royal blue sleeves, emerald green stars, red cap

| caption3 = Monbeg Genius

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner The Ramblers.svg

| alt1 = Purple, yellow chevrons, armlets and star on cap

| caption1 = Corach Rambler

| image2 = File:Owner Prof Caroline Tisdall.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star

| caption2 = Gericault Roque

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Mary-ann Middleton.svg

| alt3 = Orange, pink hoop and armlets, hooped cap

| caption3 = Oscar Elite

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Vintage Clouds

| image2 = File:Owner Lady Dulverton.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, emerald green epaulets and armlets

| caption2 = Happygolucky

| image3 = File:Owner Geoff Adam.svg

| alt3 = White, red stars, dark blue and white striped cap

| caption3 = Aye Right

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2020

| image1 = File:Owner Mr P J Cave.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, red sash, halved sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = The Conditional

| image2 = File:Owner Mr S Munir.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap

| caption2 = Kildisart

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Andrew Gemmell.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, pink disc, maroon sleeves, royal blue stars, dark blue cap, pink spots

| caption3 = Discorama

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner Mr G B Barlow.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, red and royal blue striped sleeves, black and red hooped cap

| caption1 = Beware The Bear

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Vintage Clouds

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings_emerald_cap.svg

| alt3 = Emerald Green and Yellow quartered, White sleeves, Emerald Green cap

| caption3 = Lake View Lad

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner Babbit Racing.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, white star, white sleeves, emerald green armlets, royal blue cap, white star

| caption1 = Coo Star Sivola

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Carl Hinchy.svg

| alt2 = Beige, grey epaulets

| caption2 = Shantou Flyer

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings_emerald_cap.svg

| alt3 = Emerald Green and Yellow quartered, White sleeves, Emerald Green cap

| caption3 = Vintage Clouds

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner Prof Caroline Tisdall.svg

| alt1 = Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star

| caption1 = Un Temps Pour Tout

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs H M Haddock.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, pink hoop, pink sleeves, dark blue armlets, pink cap

| caption2 = Singlefarmpayment

| image3 = File:Owner Mr C Jones.svg

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

| caption3 = Noble Endeavor

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Prof Caroline Tisdall.svg

| alt1 = Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star

| caption1 = Un Temps Pour Tout

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Gay Smith.svg

| alt2 = White, mauve stars

| caption2 = Holywell

| image3 = File:Owner R Waley-cohen and sir Martin and S Broughton.svg

| alt3 = Brown, orange seams and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = The Young Master

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs R M Hill.svg

| alt1 = Red, white hoop, red sleeves, white seams, white cap

| caption1 = The Druids Nephew

| image2 = File:Owner A Potts.svg

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

| caption2 = Grand Jesture

| image3 = File:Owner Mr G Kelly.svg

| alt3 = White, red triple diamond, red sleeves, white diamonds and cap

| caption3 = Gallant Oscar

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Gay Smith.svg

| alt1 = White, mauve stars

| caption1 = Holywell

| image2 = File:Owner Mr S Munir.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap

| caption2 = Ma Filleule

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

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

| caption3 = The Package

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner Brocade Racing.svg

| alt1 = Red And Purple (quartered), Yellow Sleeves, white Cap

| caption1 = Golden Chieftain

| image2 = File:Owner Mr K Benson.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, red disc and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Our Mick

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

| alt3 = Dark blue, pink cross of lorraine, pink cap

| caption3 = White Star Line

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

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

| alt1 = Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star

| caption1 = Alfie Sherrin

| image2 = File:Owner Heart of the South Racing.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, royal blue diamond

| caption2 = Fruity O'Rooney

| image3 = File:Owner Mr K Benson.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, red disc and sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Our Mick

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Mr J D Duggan.svg

| alt1 = Dark green, black hoop, black cap

| caption1 = Bensalem

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Paul Murphy.svg

| alt2 = Purple and yellow diabolo, yellow sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Carole's Legacy

| image3 = File:Owner Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership.svg

| alt3 = White, red triple diamond, royal blue sleeves, white stars, white cap, red diamonds

| caption3 = Reve De Sivola

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2010

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Maurice Chapman.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue, yellow cross belts, hooped sleeves, yellow cap

| caption1 = Chief Dan George

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D A Johnson.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots

| caption2 = The Package

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs P Robeson.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, yellow cap

| caption3 = Ogee

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2009

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

| alt1 = Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Wichita Lineman

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Jane Williams.svg

| alt2 = Orange, black star and star on cap

| caption2 = Maljimar

| image3 = File:Owner Top Brass Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Dark green, yellow sash, halved sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Nenuphar Collonges

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = An Accordion

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D McGowan And Mr S Murphy.svg

| alt2 = Pink, White stars, White sleeves, Pink stars, White cap, Pink star

| caption2 = New Alco

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

| alt3 = Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap

| caption3 = L'ami

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2007

| image1 = File:Owner Chemipetro Limited.svg

| alt1 = Grey, Red Cross of Lorraine, checked sleeves, Red cap

| caption1 = Joes Edge

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Juveigneur

| image3 = File:Owner Old Moss Farm.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, Black chevron, check sleeves

| caption3 = Distant Thunder

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner Dunderry Racing Syndicate.svg

| alt1 = Emerald Green and Black hoops, Black sleeves, Black and White quartered cap

| caption1 = Dun Doire

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Juveigneur

| image3 = File:Owner Major Christopher Hanbury.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, maroon cap

| caption3 = Irish Hussar

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner Halewood International Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Black, Red and White striped sleeves, hooped cap

| caption1 = Kelami

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Stewart Catherwood.svg

| alt2 = Claret, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap

| caption2 = Keen Leader

| image3 = File:Owner Major Christopher Hanbury.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, maroon cap

| caption3 = Irish Hussar

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner F Welch.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, red cross belts, striped sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Fork Lightning

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Howard Parker.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, purple chevron and sleeves, purple and orange qurtered cap

| caption2 = Shardam

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Clive D Smith.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow spots, yellow and emerald green halved sleeves, purple cap

| caption3 = Royal Auclair

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

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

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Youlneverwalkalone

| image2 = File:Owner The Wiggin Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, yellow seams and sleeves, hooped cap

| caption2 = Haut Cercy

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

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

| caption3 = Ad Hoc

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Rory Sweet.svg

| alt1 = Black

| caption1 = Frenchman's Creek

| image2 = File:Owner Anne Duchess of Westminster.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, narrow black hoop and cap

| caption2 = Carbury Cross

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

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

| caption3 = Ad Hoc

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Sir R. Ogden.svg

| alt1 = Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap

| caption1 = Marlborough

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs S Tainton.svg

| alt2 = Grey, Red sleeves, Black and Red check cap

| caption2 = Beau

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Richard Strachan.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, white sleeves, red cap

| caption3 = Star Traveller

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1999

| image1 = File:Owner T Benfield and Mr W Brown.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, brown sleeves, yellow armlets and cap

| caption1 = Betty's Boy

| image2 = File:Owner George Dilger.svg

| alt2 = Grey, maroon hoop, maroon sleeves, grey armlets, quartered cap

| caption2 = Island Chief

| image3 = File:Owner J Shaw.svg

| alt3 = White, black stars, white sleeves, black cap

| caption3 = Nahthen Lad

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

| image1 = File:Owner D E Harrison.svg

| alt1 = Light blue, royal blue triple diamond, royal blue diamonds on sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Unguided Missile

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Timothy Pilkington.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, black cross belts, red cap, white spots

| caption2 = Glitter Isle

| image3 = File:Owner Mr A T A Wates.svg

| alt3 = Navy blue, green sash, cerise cap

| caption3 = Even Flow

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R J Tory.svg

| alt1 = Black and yellow diamonds, red and yellow hooped cap

| caption1 = Flyer's Nap

| image2 = File:Owner Tim Davis.svg

| alt2 = Blue, green cross-belts, white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Stormtracker

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

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

| caption3 = General Command

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1996

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs A L Wood.svg

| alt1 = Green, yellow sleeves, light blue cap

| caption1 = Maamur

| image2 = File:Owner D E Harrison.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, royal blue triple diamond, royal blue diamonds on sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Unguided Missile

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Adrian F Nolan_Ireland.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, emerald green epaulettes, emerald green armlet, check cap

| caption3 = Chatam

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1995

| image1 = File:Owner Mr A T A Wates.svg

| alt1 = Navy blue, green sash, cerise cap

| caption1 = Rough Quest

| image2 = File:Owner G R Bailey Ltd (Baileys Horse Feeds).svg

| alt2 = Yellow, dark green stripe, striped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Antonin

| image3 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Cache Fleur

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner M Stanners.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue, yellow braces, hooped sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Antonin

| image2 = File:Owner Dr G Madan Mohan.svg

| alt2 = Black, Black and Red check sleeves

| caption2 = Flash The Cash

| image3 = File:Owner Mr H R Mould.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star

| caption3 = Grange Brake

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner K Costello.svg

| alt1 = White blue diamonds, chevrons on sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Givus A Buck

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs C C Williams.svg

| alt2 = Green, white sash, collar, cuffs and cap

| caption2 = Country Member

| image3 = File:Owner Duke Of Atholl.svg

| alt3 = Black and yellow stripes, hooped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Boraceva

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

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

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

| caption1 = Tipping Tim

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Lynn Wilson.svg

| alt2 = DARK BLUE, emerald green hoop, dark blue sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Henry Mann

| image3 = File:Owner Mr C G Roach.svg

| alt3 = Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap

| caption3 = Gambling Royal

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner Sir Eric Parker white.svg

| alt1 = Light blue, red cross belts, red cap

| caption1 = Seagram

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Miles Valentine.svg

| alt2 = Pink, cherry hearts, pink cap

| caption2 = Cahervillahow

| image3 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Outside Edge

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 1990-1988 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1990

| image1 = File:Owner John F Horn.svg

| alt1 = Black, white braid, black cap, white button

| caption1 = Bigsun

| image2 = File:Owner Sir Eric Parker white.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, red cross belts, red cap

| caption2 = Seagram

| image3 = File:Owner Duke Of Atholl.svg

| alt3 = Black and yellow stripes, hooped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption3 = Boraceva

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1989

| image1 = File:Owner Peter S Hill.svg

| alt1 = Dark green and light blue (halved), sleeves reversed, quartered cap

| caption1 = Dixton House

| image2 = File:Owner Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin.svg

| alt2 = Red, black chevrons on body

| caption2 = Gala's Image

| image3 = File:Owner D G Meade.svg

| alt3 = Orange, dark green stripe

| caption3 = Golden Friend

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1988

| image1 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Aquilifer

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs P G Maccann.svg

| alt2 = Pink, blue cross-belts, red cap

| caption2 = Bucko

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Patrick Bancroft.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow check, yellow sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Von Trappe

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The Festival Trophy is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong ({{convert|5500|yd|m|0|disp=out|abbr=off}}), and during its running there are twenty fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The event was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill between 1998 and 2010. In 2011 the race was run as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase and sponsored by the Stewart family, headed by businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart to raise awareness of, and highlight the work done by, the charity Spinal Research. In 2012 and 2013 the race was sponsored by JLT Specialty Ltd, and in 2014 Baylis & Harding were the sponsors. Since 2015 the race has been sponsored by Ultima Business Solutions. It held Grade 3 status until 2022 and was re-classified as a Premier Handicap from the 2023 running when Grade 3 status was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority.{{cite web |title=Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season |url=https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/jump-pattern-committee-update-22-23-season/ |publisher=British Horseracing Authority |access-date=27 February 2023}}

Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram, Rough Quest and Corach Rambler.