The Betway Kingwell Hurdle Day

who will katchit? 

Fast, furious and spectacular, since 1961 The Betway Kingwell Hurdle has thrilled and beguiled and on Saturday February 16 all roads will lead to Wincanton Racecourse for the 2019 renewal.

Best price tickets available until 10:59 30th January 2019. Don't miss out!

Gates Open: 11:30am

First Race: 1:40pm

Last Race: 5:05pm

It’s a race that attracts the best two-mile hurdlers in the business - the Lionel Messi’s of football or the Jonathan Davies of Rugby Union – and in The Betway Kingwell Hurdle they’ll be putting their Championship credentials on the line ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The last horse to win the Kingwell Hurdle before going onto Cheltenham Festival glory was the diminutive Katchit in 2008. With a role call of winners that reads like a who’s who of racing – Inglis Drever, Bula, Lanzarote, Yanworth, Binocular, Hors La Loi III - it’s no surprise that the race is held in the highest regard by jockeys and trainers alike.

Richard Dunwoody, the three-time champion jockey who rode 1699 British winners, has booted home more winners of the race than anyone. Floyd, Valfinet (twice), Dreams End and I’m Supposin all landed the spoils with Dunwoody on board, but it was his win on the Michael Stoute-trained Kribensis that proved the most memorable.

The seven-time champion jockey John Francome won the race in 1976 on Lanzarote and Richard Pitman’s steered Bula to victory in 1971, and was on Lanzarote when he won in 1974 and 1975. More recently, Jeremy Scott’s saddled Melodic Rendezvous to win in 2014 and recalls that it was a red-letter day. “It was fantastic. Everything went right that day. Nick (Scholfield) gave him a fantastic ride. There were a lot of celebrations and it took us a long time to get home. We’ve had a lot of very good days at Wincanton.”

While Paul Nicholls, who has saddled the winner three times, said: “It’s a good race at the right time of year and a great for Somerset racegoers to see horses of this calibre on their doorstep. It was a sweet day when Rigmarole won in 2004 as he was owned by the then Wincanton chairman Mark Woodhouse.”

Whoever lifts The Betway Kingwell Hurdle crown, another great name will be added to the annals as Somerset plays it part in creating racing history.

food and drink 

Be sure to make the most out of your day and book Hospitality in either our Chasers Restaurant or in a Private Box. To book, call 01963 435 840. 

Or for a more casual day out there are many other choices, such as a bite to eat in the See More Business Bar, or coffee and cake in Furlongs. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Click here to read our important ticket information. 

We run a complimentary bus service for our race meetings. The coach will meet racegoers at Templecombe Station for the following trains:

• The London train arriving at 11:25am and the Exeter train arriving at 11:43am.
• The coach will leave the course at 5:25pm.
  (Timings are approximate)