The Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse Racecourse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs (4,023 metres), and during its running there are ten hurdle to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late March or early April at Fairyhouse's Easter meeting.
Known as the Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final until 2023, the race was then named in honour of 2019 winner Honeysuckle on her retirement.
The race was awarded Grade 3 status in 2004, raised to Grade 2 in 2011 and then to Grade 1 in 2013.
Records Leading jockey since 1995 (6 wins): Paul Townend - Adriana Des Mottes (2014), Laurina (2018), Brandy Love (2022), Ashroe Diamond (2023), Jade De Grugy (2024), Aurora Vega (2025)
Leading trainer since 1995 (9 wins): Willie Mullins – Nobody Told Me (2003), Annie Power (2013), Adriana Des Mottes (2014), Augusta Kate (2017), Laurina (2018), Brandy Love (2022), Ashroe Diamond (2023), Jade De Grugy (2024), Aurora Vega (2025)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1995 Bless Me Sister 6 K F O'Brien Michael Hourigan 1996 Bold Tipperary 7 J Butler Michael Butler 1997 Windy Bee 6 Aidan Nolan Brian Nolan 1998 Generosa 5 T P Hyde John Hassett 1999 Site-Leader 5 Charlie Swan Paul Nolan 2000 Asklynn 7 Ronan McNally John Fowler 2001 Bondi Storm 6 Paul Carberry Noel Meade 2002 Verney Bird 5 Adrian Lane Michael Halford 2003 Nobody Told Me 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2004 Greenhall Rambler 5 John Cullen Pat Fahy 2005 Asian Maze 6 Paul Carberry Thomas Mullins 2006 Cailin Alainn 7 Barry Cash Charles Byrnes 2007 Grangeclare Lark 6 Roger Loughran Dessie Hughes 2008 Oscar Rebel 6 Paul Carberry Liam Burke 2009 Shirley Casper 8 Barry Geraghty Dessie Hughes 2010 For Bill 7 Davy Russell Michael Winters 2011 Knockfierna 6 Davy Russell Charles Byrnes 2012 Shadow Eile 7 Andrew McNamara Dot Love 2013 Annie Power 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2014 Adriana Des Mottes 4 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2015 Bitofapuzzle 7 Noel Fehily Harry Fry 2016 Jer's Girl 4 Barry Geraghty Gavin Cromwell 2017 Augusta Kate 6 David Mullins Willie Mullins 2018 Laurina 5 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2019 Honeysuckle 5 Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead no race 2020 2021 Skyace 6 Jody McGarvey John Hanlon 2022 Brandy Love 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2023 Ashroe Diamond 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2024 Jade De Grugy 5 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2025 Aurora Vega 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2026 Zanoosh 6 Brian Hayes Colm Murphy
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish National Hunt races
References Racing Post: , , , ,,, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,