The Christmas Hurdle, a Grade 1 hurdle race, is held on Boxing Day at Kempton Park Racecourse, just before the King George VI Chase. The race is run over two miles on a right-handed track and is open to horses aged four and older. It is considered the second leg of the hurdling Triple Crown, following the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and preceding the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse in March.
Christmas Hurdle Odds & Runners
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4Christmas Hurdle Racecard
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
This will no doubt prove to be a match between the returning CONSTITUTION HILL and Lossiemouth, with preference for the former. The seven-time Grade 1 winner has taken the last two renewals of this contest with the minimum of fuss and sets the bar enormously high with his rating of 175. If Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old retains his ability after his long absence, then he can remain unbeaten under Rules. As for the latter, she is seeking her sixth success at the top level and is likely to give the selection plenty to think about. Burdett Road can beat Lump Sum home for third.
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Christmas Hurdle Overview
Run at Kempton Park, the Christmas Hurdle covers approximately two miles and includes eight hurdle jumps. Offering a prize of nearly £75,000 to the winner, the race is often a stepping-stone to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham a few months later.
Typically lasting just under four minutes, Constitution Hill, who has won the last two renewals with ease, is expected to aim for the title again this year. Previous winners who have also triumphed in the Champion Hurdle include Epatante, Lanzarote, Dawn Run, Kribensis, and Faugheen.
Christmas Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics
Over the past 21 years, trainer Nicky Henderson has dominated the Christmas Hurdle with eleven victories, thanks to horses like Binocular (2010 & 2011), Darlan (2012), My Tent Or Yours (2013), Buveur D’Air (2017), Verdana Blue (2018), Epatante (2019 & 2021), and Constitution Hill (2022, 2023 & 2024).
Other notable trainers include Noel Meade (4) and Willie Mullins (2). Paul Nicholls, however, has been less successful, with 16 runners and no wins.
Leading jockey Nico de Boinville has won five times with Verdana Blue (2018), Epatante (2021), and Constitution Hill (2022, 2023 & 2024), while Sam Twiston-Davies remains winless after eight attempts. The horse sent off as favourite tends to perform well in this race, with an 80% success rate over the last ten renewals.
Christmas Hurdle History
In the 1960s, Kempton hosted a Boxing Day 2-mile handicap race known as the Kempton Park Handicap Hurdle. Notable winners included Salmon Spray and Saucy Kit, who later won the Champion Hurdle. The race was cancelled in 1967 and 1968 but was reintroduced as the Christmas Hurdle in 1969.
Since then, six winners of the Christmas Hurdle have gone on to claim victory in the Champion Hurdle. The first was Lanzarote in 1974, followed by Dawn Run (1983–84), Kribensis (1989–90), Faugheen (2014–15), Epatante (2019–20), and Constitution Hill (2022–23).
Previous Christmas Hurdle Winners
Christmas Hurdle FAQ
Who won the Christmas Hurdle in 2023?
Constitution Hill was an easy winner of the race last year where he readily saw off the challenge of Rubaud by nine-and-a-half lengths.
What is the prize money for the Christmas Hurdle?
The Christmas Hurdle is worth around £75,000 to the winning connections.
When is the Christmas Hurdle?
The Christmas Hurdle is run on Boxing Day immediately prior to the King George VI Chase.
How many hurdles are in the Christmas Hurdle?
There are eight flights of hurdles to be jumped in the Christmas Hurdle.
How many horses race in the Christmas Hurdle?
There are usually between five and ten runners that contest the Christmas Hurdle.
Which horses are eligible for the Christmas Hurdle?
The race is open to horses aged four and older.
