The Royal Bond Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.
| Grade 1 race | |
| Location | Fairyhouse County Meath, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1994 |
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | Bar One Racing |
| Website | Fairyhouse |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2 miles (3,219 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 11 st 7 lb (4yo); 11 st 10 lb (5yo+) Allowances 7 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | €70,000 (2020) 1st: €41,300 |
| 2023 | ||
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| Farren Glory | King Of Kingsfield | An Tobar |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | ||
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| Marine Nationale | Irish Point | Ashroe Diamond |
| 2021 | ||
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| Statuaire | My Mate Mozzie | Mighty Potter |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
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| Ballyadam | Cask Mate | N'golo |
| 2019 | ||
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| Envoi Allen | Abacadabras | Darver Star |
| 2018 | ||
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| Quick Grabim | Triplicate | Aramon |
| 2017 | ||
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| Mengli Khan | Early Doors | Hardline |
| 2016 | ||
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| Airlie Beach | Saturnas | Le Martalin |
| 2015 | ||
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| Long Dog | Bachasson | Gunnery Sergeant |
| 2014 | ||
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| Nichols Canyon | All Hell Let Loose | Princely Conn |
| 2013 | ||
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| The Tullow Tank | Renneti | Arctic Fire |
| 2012 | ||
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| Jezki | Champagne Fever | Zuzka |
| 2011 | ||
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| Sous Les Cieux | Galileo's Choice | Miss Nomer |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
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| Zaidpour | Pineau De Re | Perfect Smile |
| 2009 | ||
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| Dunguib | Some Present | Alice Bradys Call |
| 2008 | ||
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| Hurricane Fly | Donnas Palm | Cousin Vinny |
| 2007 | ||
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| Muirhead | Cork All Star | Whatuthink |
| 2006 | ||
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| Hide The Evidence | Clopf | Cleni Boy |
| 2005 | ||
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| Iktitaf | O'Muircheartaigh | Mounthenry |
| 2004 | ||
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| Wild Passion | Rocket Ship | Royal Paradise |
| 2003 | ||
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| Newmill | Mariah Rollins | Strike Back |
| 2002 | ||
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| Hardy Eustace | Back In Front | Macs Valley |
| 2001 | ||
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| Like-A-Butterfly | Sacundai | Best Wait |
| 2000-1994 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
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| Liss A Paoraigh | Penny Rich | Rua Lass |
| 1999 | ||
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| Moscow Flyer | Stage Affair | Vanilla Man |
| 1998 | ||
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| Alexander Banquet | Cardinal Hill | To Your Honour |
| 1997 | ||
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| Feathered Leader | Promalee | Cloone Bridge |
| 1996 | ||
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| Istabraq | Palette | Noble Thyne |
| 1995 | ||
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| Thats My Man | Lamero | Dance Beat |
| 1994 | ||
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| Gambolling Doc | Ventana Canyon | Major Rumpus |
The event is named after Royal Bond, a successful National Hunt horse trained by Arthur Moore in the early 1980s. It was established in 1994, and it has held Grade 1 status throughout its history. It is usually staged on the same afternoon as two other top-grade races – the Drinmore Novice Chase and the Hatton's Grace Hurdle.
Records
editLeading jockey (4 wins):
- Paul Carberry – Gambolling Doc (1994), Wild Passion (2004), Iktitaf (2005), Muirhead (2007)
- Charlie Swan – Thats My Man (1995), Istabraq (1996), Liss A Paoraigh (2000), Like-a-Butterfly (2001)
- Ruby Walsh - Alexander Banquet (1998), Sous les Cieux (2011), Long Dog (2015), Quick Grabim (2018)
Leading trainer (9 wins):
- Willie Mullins - Alexander Banquet (1998), Hurricane Fly (2008), Zaidpour (2010), Sous les Cieux (2011), Nichols Canyon (2014), Long Dog (2015), Airlie Beach (2016), Quick Grabim (2018), Statuaire (2021)