The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 furlongs and 200 yards, or ), and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The race's registered title commemorates David Nicholson (1939–2006), who was successful as both a jockey and a trainer in National Hunt racing. Nicholson's record at the Cheltenham Festival included five victories as a jockey, and seventeen as a trainer.
This race was established in 2008, and in its inaugural year it was held on the final day of the Festival on Cheltenham's New Course. It was switched to the opening day on the Old Course in 2009. It was initially given Grade 2 status and was upgraded to Grade 1 status from the 2015 running. From 2012 to 2019 it was run as the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.
Records Most successful horse (6 wins): Quevega – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Leading jockey (8 wins): Ruby Walsh – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018)
Leading trainer (11 wins): Willie Mullins – Quevega (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Glens Melody (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018), Lossiemouth (2024, 2025)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 2008 Whiteoak 5 Jason Maguire Donald McCain Jr. 2009 Quevega 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2010 Quevega 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2011 Quevega 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2012 Quevega 8 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2013 Quevega 9 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2014 Quevega 10 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2015 Glens Melody 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2016 Vroum Vroum Mag 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2017 Apple's Jade 5 Bryan Cooper Gordon Elliott 2018 Benie Des Dieux 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2019 Roksana 7 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton 2020 Honeysuckle 6 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead 2021 Black Tears 7 Jack Kennedy Denise Foster 2022 Marie's Rock 7 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson 2023 Honeysuckle 9 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead 2024 Lossiemouth 5 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2025 Lossiemouth 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2026 Wodhooh 6 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
See also Horse racing in Great Britain List of British National Hunt races David Nicholson (horse racing)
References
Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
pedigreequery.com – David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle – Cheltenham. racenewsonline.co.uk – Racenews Archive (28 February 2008). OLBG.com – OLBG Mares' Hurdle – Cheltenham (15 February 2012).