The Champion Bumper is a Grade 1
National Hunt flat race in Great Britain which is open to
racing horses aged four to six years. It is run on the Old Course at
Cheltenham
Cheltenham () is a historic spa town and borough adjacent to the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham became known as a health and holiday spa town resort following the discovery of mineral springs in 1716, and claims to be the mo ...
over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong (2 miles and 87 yards, or 3,298 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year during the
Cheltenham Festival in March.
The event was established in 1992, and it was initially called the Festival Bumper. In its early years it had various sponsors, including
the Tote and
Guinness. A more sustained period of sponsorship began when
Weatherbys began supporting the race in 1997, and since then it has been known by its present title.
The Champion Bumper is the most prestigious flat race, or "bumper", in the National Hunt calendar. It often features horses which go on to become leading performers over obstacles, such as
Florida Pearl and
Cue Card. Occasionally leading jockeys from
Flat racing
Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...
ride in the race and the 2002 winner, Pizarro, was ridden by
Jamie Spencer, a Flat racing jockey.
Records
Leading jockey (4 wins):
*
Patrick Mullins – ''Cousin Vinny (2008), Champagne Fever (2012), Facile Vega (2022), Jasmin De Vaux (2024) ''
Leading
trainer (14 wins):
*
Willie Mullins – ''Wither or Which (1996), Florida Pearl (1997), Alexander Banquet (1998), Joe Cullen (2000), Missed That (2005), Cousin Vinny (2008), Champagne Fever (2012), Briar Hill (2013), Relegate (2018), Ferny Hollow (2020), Sir Gerhard (2021), Facile Vega (2022), Jasmin De Vaux (2024), Bambino Fever (2025) ''
Winners
See also
*
Horse racing in Great Britain
Horse racing is the second largest spectator sport in Great Britain, and one of the longest established, with a history dating back many centuries. According to a report by the British Horseracing Authority it generates £3.39 billion total di ...
*
List of British National Hunt races
*
Recurring sporting events established in 1992 '' – this race is included under its original title, Festival Bumper.''
References
*
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...
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pedigreequery.com– ''Champion Bumper – Cheltenham.''
– ''Racenews Archive (28 February 2008).''
{{Cheltenham Festival
National Hunt races in Great Britain
Cheltenham Racecourse
National Hunt flat races
Horse races established in 1992
1992 establishments in England