The Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3
National Hunt
National Hunt Racing, also known as Jump Racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including, but not limited to: France, Great Britain and Ireland. Jump Racing requires horses to jump over fences and ditches.
In ...
hurdle
A hurdle (UK English, limited US English) is a moveable section of light fence. In the United States, terms such as "panel", "pipe panel" or simply "fence section" are used to describe moveable sections of fencing intended for agricultural u ...
horse race in Ireland. It is run at
Thurles Racecourse
Thurles Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the town of Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland which stages National Hunt racing.
History
The first recorded race meeting at Thurles occurred in 1732, as noted in a Trinity College document called ...
in February or March, over a distance of 2 miles and 4
furlongs
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to any of 660 feet, 220 yards, 40 rods, 10 chains, or approximately 201 metres. It is no ...
(4,023 metres) and during the race there are twelve hurdles to be jumped.
The race was first run in 2004. It was previously contested at Grade 2 level before being downgraded to Grade 3 in 2017.
Records
Most successful
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
(4 wins):
*
Ruby Walsh
Rupert "Ruby" Walsh (born 14 May 1979) is an Irish former jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen. Widely regarded as one of the greatest National Hunt racing, National Hunt ...
– ''Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Acapella Bourgeois (2016), Tin Soldier (2017)''
Most successful
trainer (5 wins):
*
Willie Mullins
William Peter Mullins (born 15 September 1956) is an Irish racehorse horse trainer, trainer and former jockey. He is a nineteen-time List of Irish National Hunt races, Irish National Hunt Champion trainer. Mullins is the most successful traine ...
– ''Kim Fontaine (2004), Cooldine (2008), Tin Soldier (2017), Five O'Clock (2020), Largy Hill (2024) ''
*
Gordon Elliott - '' Blow By Blow (2018), Grand Paradis (2021), The Goffer (2022), Sa Fureur (2023), Jacob's Ladder (2025) ''
Winners
See also
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Horse racing in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Culture of Ireland, Irish culture and society. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the Irish mythology, earliest texts. Domestically, racing is on ...
*
List of Irish National Hunt races
A list of notable National Hunt racing, National Hunt Horse racing, horse races which take place annually in Ireland, under the authority of Horse Racing Ireland, including all races which currently hold Grade 1 or Grade 2 status.
Grade 1
Grade ...
Notes
References
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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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National Hunt races in Ireland
National Hunt hurdle races
Thurles Racecourse
2004 establishments in Ireland
Horse races established in 2004