The last five winners of the Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle stands as the pinnacle of hurdling excellence at the Cheltenham Festival, where speed meets stamina over the testing two-mile course.
Since its inception in 1927, the race has produced some of National Hunt racing’s most memorable moments, with its winners joining an elite group of champions who have mastered Prestbury Park’s demanding obstacles.
As we approach the 2025 renewal, all eyes are on Constitution Hill, who seeks to cement his place among the greats. Nicky Henderson’s superstar dominates the Champion Hurdle odds, already trading at prohibitive odds of 4/6, and he could join the pantheon of multiple Champion Hurdle winners with another commanding performance.
His blend of raw speed and precise hurdling technique, demonstrated in recent wins at Prestbury Park and Kempton, has drawn comparisons to the legendary Istabraq, and a second victory would only strengthen those parallels.
In this article, we reflect on the last five winners of the Champion Hurdle and assess how other members of the champion alumni wrote their names in the history books.
Epatante – 2020
Nicky Henderson’s mare provided one of the most tactically accomplished performances in recent Champion Hurdle history.
Under Barry Geraghty, in what would prove to be his final Festival winner before retirement, Epatante travelled supremely well throughout the contest.
Held up in midfield, she made smooth headway approaching the second-last flight before quickening clear between the final two hurdles. Her winning margin of three lengths over Sharjah barely reflected her dominance, with her jumping particularly fluent down the back straight.
Honeysuckle – 2021
Henry de Bromhead’s mare created history as Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle.
After tracking the strong pace set by Silver Streak, Honeysuckle moved effortlessly into contention approaching three out.
Her supremacy was evident as she powered clear after the final hurdle, crossing the line six and a half lengths ahead of Sharjah. The time of three minutes, 54.62 seconds, highlighted the true merit of her performance on softening ground.
Honeysuckle – 2022
Returning to defend her crown, Honeysuckle produced an even more commanding display. The unbeaten mare settled beautifully for Blackmore just behind the leaders before asserting her authority after the penultimate flight.
Despite Appreciate It’s challenge, she showed her trademark acceleration up the famous Cheltenham hill, extending her advantage to three and a half lengths at the line. This victory, her fifteenth in succession, showcased her versatility on the better ground.
Constitution Hill – 2023
The racing world witnessed something extraordinary as Constitution Hill produced one of the most devastating Champion Hurdle performances in living memory, defying every expectation in the horse racing odds.
Under Nico de Boinville, the gelding travelled with sustained power throughout, his hurdling technique absolutely pristine. Making significant ground between flights, he stretched nine lengths clear after the second-last without being asked a serious question.
His winning time of three minutes, 47.71 seconds, achieved on testing ground, marked him as a hurdler of exceptional calibre.
State Man – 2024
Willie Mullins’ charge claimed the crown with a performance that combined tactical awareness with raw ability.
Paul Townend executed a masterful waiting ride, allowing State Man to find his rhythm behind the pace before delivering a perfectly timed challenge after the final flight.
His superior stamina came to the fore on the testing climb to the line, where he asserted his dominance to pull two and a half lengths clear, marking himself as a worthy champion in demanding conditions.