Determining the top five Champion Hurdle winners is no easy feat, and there are sure to be differing opinions, but here are five horses who we think deserve to be top of the betting when deciding on the ultimate champion in our Champion Hurdle Winners guide.
Faugheen
The aptly named “The Machine,” this beloved Willie Mullins-trained jumper secures a spot among one of the most impressive winners of the Champion Hurdle since the turn of the millennium. In the 2015 renewal, he was sent off as the 4/5 favorite and triumphed over a top quality race card field that included Hurricane Fly and The New One.
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While many racing fans feel Faugheen could have been ranked higher, Faugheen’s brilliance was highlighted by his undefeated record heading into the Champion Hurdle and his devastating performance in winning it.
Hurricane Fly
In 2016, Ruby Walsh became the second jockey to achieve the remarkable feat of winning four Champion Hurdles, accomplished aboard Annie Power.
It was Hurricane Fly who initiated this incredible journey for the esteemed rider, securing victories in 2011 and 2013. These wins also marked trainer Willie Mullins’ first triumph in the Champion Hurdle.
Hurricane Fly’s legacy extends far beyond Cheltenham, as evidenced by his 22 Grade 1 wins, which stood as a world record until surpassed by Winx in 2019.
He is undeniably one of the true legends of horse racing and defied Champion Hurdle odds to win. While denied consecutive wins by Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly resurfaced the following year, defeating the 2012 champion and etching his name into history with a remarkable second triumph.
Istabraq
Istabraq stands as the fifth and final horse to achieve the illustrious feat of winning the Champion Hurdle three times, and many believe he had the potential to secure a remarkable fourth victory. Unfortunately, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 deprived Istabraq of the opportunity to make history.
This exceptional horse, trained by Aidan O’Brien, will forever be revered as one of the Cheltenham Festival’s most remarkable competitors.
Istabraq’s first triumph came in 1998, where he dominated the race, crossing the finish line an impressive 12 lengths ahead of the competition.
He continued his dominance by comfortably winning in the subsequent two years. In 2002, at the age of 10, Istabraq returned to Cheltenham with the ambition of securing a historic fourth victory.
The journey was cut short early in a moment that evoked mixed emotions. Jockey Charlie Swan, who guided Istabraq to four consecutive Irish Champion Hurdle wins and numerous other major victories, formed an exceptional partnership with the horse, amassing over £1,000,000 in career earnings.
Istabraq’s legacy as a Cheltenham hero remains intact, and many consider him the greatest Champion Hurdle runner of all time.
Buveur D’Air
Buveur D’Air, the most recent dual winner, secured consecutive victories for trainer Nicky Henderson in 2017 and 2018.
This French-bred horse, trained in Britain, showcased his dominance with a comfortable win in the first triumph, followed by a narrow victory the following year, defeating Melon by a neck in an undefeated season.
Noel Fehily partnered with Buveur D’Air in the initial Champion Hurdle victory, adding to his previous win aboard Rock On Ruby five years earlier.
The second triumph was guided by Barry Geraghty, marking his third victory in the race aboard three different horses.