National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls to sponsor Mares' Novices' Hurdle at The Festival

Tattersalls and Cheltenham Racecourse is pleased to announce today that National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls is the new title of the G2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at The Festival™ presented by Magners. 
 
The £90,000 G2 contest takes place over an extended two miles and is the sixth race (4.50pm) on St Patrick's Thursday, March 14.
 
The new sponsorship involves breeders Shade Oak Stud, Upton Viva Stud, Trull House Stud, James and Jean Potter Ltd, Martyn Meade Racing and Overbury Stud.
 
The National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls Mares' Novices' Hurdle was introduced to The Festival in 2016 to give more opportunities for fillies and mares. 
 
It is the second race exclusively for female horses at The Festival, following on from the G1 OLBG Mares' Hurdle on Champion Day, Tuesday, March 12, and is open to four-year-olds and upwards.
 
The first three runnings were sponsored by Trull House Stud, which is continuing as one of the contest's backers.
 
The registered title of the race is the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle in recognition of the great mare Dawn Run, who is the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle (1984) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986).  
 
Willie Mullins, the most successful trainer of all-time at The Festival, has dominated the race so far, being victorious with the Susannah Ricci-owned pair of Limini (2016) and Let's Dance (2017), plus Laurina (2018), all five-year-olds.
 
Laurina, who races in the colours Sullivan Bloodstock Limited, has developed into a leading contender for this year's G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle, while Limini could head to the OLBG Mares' Hurdle.  
 
Ian Renton, Regional Director, Cheltenham & The South West, The Jockey Club, said today: "Since we introduced this race three years' ago, we have had some impressive mares winning including Laurina and Limini. 
 
"This just shows the strength of the mares' division and I am sure that the race will only continue to grow in profile with the support of the National Hunt Breeders and Tattersalls."
 
Commenting on the sponsorship, Tattersalls Ireland CEO, Matt Mitchell, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the G2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at The Festival which will also be backed by National Hunt Breeders. 
 
"National Hunt breeders are the backbone of this industry and their continuous efforts, along with our support, brings together what they strive to achieve to the forefront of racing. 
 
"This sponsorship further strengthens Tattersalls relationship with Cheltenham Racecourse; the Cheltenham Sales have established themselves as a constant source of winners and we are excited about this further association with the Home of National Hunt Racing."

Robert Waley-Cohen of Upton Viva Stud and Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse further endorsed this new sponsorship.
 
Waley-Cohen said: "Upton Viva Stud is delighted to support the G2 National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
 
"It is important for mare owners to have a target at The Festival to aspire to win as this has a beneficial impact for breeders both financially and for the breed as a whole.
 
"The best mares are those who have proven their ability on the racecourse and this race provides a valuable opportunity."
 
Another of the contest's supporters, trainer and breeder Martyn Meade added: "National Hunt racing and breeding has been a big part of my racing career and I am really pleased to support the National Hunt Breeders by sponsoring the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
 
"It is fantastic to be associated with the best National Hunt Festival in the world."
 
The 40 entries for the National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls Mares' Novices' Hurdle were announced yesterday. Willie Mullins is responsible for 13 of the 40 entries, including G1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle second Sancta Simona.
 
Unbeaten G3 winner Honeysuckle and Punchestown Listed scorer Sinoria could both line up for another Irish trainer, Henry de Bromhead.
 
Posh Trish, trained by Paul Nicholls, twice successful at Listed level this season, and two from Nicky Henderson's yard, Epatante, an impressive winner at Exeter on February 22, and the Waley-Cohen-owned Elusive Belle, feature among the British contenders.
 
National Hunt Breeders supported by Tattersalls
Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Grade 2, £90,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.50pm, Thursday, March 14, 2019, two miles and a furlong (2m 179y). For novice four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares only. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 8lb, five-year-olds and up 11st 2lb. Penalties: a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle or a Class 1 handicap hurdle 3lb, a winner of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle 5lb. Entries closed February 26, entries revealed February 27 (40 entries), six-day confirmation stage March 8, final declaration stage 10.00am, Tuesday, March 12. Maximum 22 runners.
 
HorseAgeOwnerTrainer
ALLEZ DANCE (FR)5Simon Munir/Isaac SouedeWillie Mullins IRE
AWAYINTHEWEST (IRE)7Mrs Una BradyPat Fahy IRE
BLACK TEARS5Mrs C Walsh/J LightfootGordon Elliott IRE
BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP5J TurnerWillie Mullins IRE
BULLFROG (IRE)6Galloping On The South Downs PartnershipGary Moore
CALIE DU MESNIL (FR)7Andrea & Graham WylieWillie Mullins IRE
CARDIGAN BAY (FR)6Birch, Djivanovic & DoelCharlie Longsdon
CONCERTISTA (FR)5Simon Munir/Isaac SouedeWillie Mullins IRE
COPPER GONE WEST (IRE)6Paul & Louise BowtellTim Vaughan
COURT MAID (IRE)6Rory F LarkinThomas Mullins IRE
DAME DU SOIR (FR)6CWB Plus 1 PartnershipDavid Bridgwater
DAPHNE DU CLOS (FR)6Sullivan Bloodstock LimitedNicky Henderson
DEFINITELYANOSCAR (IRE)6Jago and TaylorHarry Fry
DIAMOND GAIT6Norman CarterKim Bailey
DUHALLOW GESTURE (IRE)7Galveston PartnersAnthony Honeyball
EGLANTINE DU SEUIL (FR)5Sullivan Bloodstock LimitedWillie Mullins IRE
ELFILE (FR)5K AlexanderWillie Mullins IRE
ELUSIVE BELLE (IRE)5Robert Waley-CohenNicky Henderson
EMILY MOON (IRE)5Mrs P MyerscoughJessica Harrington IRE
EPATANTE (FR)5J P McManusNicky Henderson
FRENCH MADE (FR)4Exors of the Late Mrs M McManusWillie Mullins IRE
GREAT WHITE SHARK (FR)5Malcolm C DenmarkWillie Mullins IRE
HONEYSUCKLE5K AlexanderHenry de Bromhead IRE
INDEFATIGABLE (IRE)6Philip Rocher & John B O'ConnorPaul Webber
INESSA (FR)6David J SmithDr Richard Newland
LA SORELITA (FR)4K AlexanderWillie Mullins IRE
LUST FOR GLORY (IRE)6Grech & ParkinNicky Henderson
MOSKOVITE (IRE)6R V HennellyDenis Hogan IRE
MY SISTER SARAH (IRE)5Barnane StudWillie Mullins IRE
OFF THE HOOK (IRE)7Mrs I HodgeNick Alexander
POSH TRISH (IRE)6Highclere T'Bred Racing - Posh TrishPaul Nicholls
PRESIDENTE LINE (FR)5Ecurie Cerdeval & Elevage CouetilAlain Couetil FR
QUEENOHEARTS (IRE)6The Sherington PartnershipStuart Edmunds
ROBIN DE CARLOW6Supreme Horse Racing Club/Brett GrahamWillie Mullins IRE
SALSARETTA (FR)6Susannah RicciWillie Mullins IRE
SANCTA SIMONA (FR)6J P McManusWillie Mullins IRE
SINORIA (IRE)6K AlexanderHenry de Bromhead IRE
SURIN (FR)4Gigginstown House StudGordon Elliott IRE
TINTANGLE (IRE)6Gigginstown House StudGordon Elliott IRE
WESTERN VICTORY (IRE)6S O'NeillColin Bowe IRE
 
40 entries
23 Irish-trained
1 French-trained