The Adonis Hurdle has always been considered an important Trial for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. If anything that position has been reinforced since the introduction of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle to the Festival in 2005. Penzanace won both races in 2005, while the winners in 2011, Zarakandar, and 2010, Soldatino made British debuts in this before doubling up in the Triumph 20 days later. Since 1988 six horses have won both the Adonis and Triumph; Mysilv, Katarino, Snow Drop, Penzance, Soldatino and Zarkandar.
Punjabi and Binocular both won this is their four year old season and added the Champion Hurdle as six year olds.
While it was fences which brought out the best of, the Martin Pipe trained Arkle winner, Well Chief he did win this in 2003, meaning that 6 future Cheltenham Festival grade 1 winners have emerged from the race in the last eleven years.
Adonis Hurdle Winners 2003-2013
Year | Horse | Weight | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
2014 | Activial | 10-12 | N Fehily | Harry Fry | 9-4F |
2013 | Irish Saint | 11-5 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 5-4F |
2012 | Baby Mix (FR) | 11-5 | Paddy Brennan | Tom George | 4-1 |
2011 | Zarkandar (IRE) | 10-12 | Daryl Jacob | Paul Nicholls | 8-1 |
2010 | Soldatino (FR) | 11-5 | Barry Geraghty | N J Henderson | 7-4 |
2009 | Hebridean (IRE) | 10-12 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 6-4 |
2008 | Binocular (FR) | 11-5 | Mick Fitzgerald | N J Henderson | 8-11 |
2007 | Punjabi | 11-2 | Mick Fitzgerald | N J Henderson | 9-2 |
2006 | Kasbah Bliss (FR) | 11-5 | Arnaud Duchêne | F Doumen | 2-1 |
2005 | Penzance | 10-12 | Robert Thornton | Alan King | 10-11 |
2004 | Trouble At Bay (IRE) | 11-5 | Robert Thornton | Alan King | 5-2 |
2003 | Well Chief (GER) | 11-2 | Tony McCoy | Martin Pipe | 7-1 |