The WBX Hurdling Triple Crown ties together the three Grade 1 two mile British hurdle races in the calendar like never before.
Offering a £1 million bonus for any horse that can secure victories in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle, and the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the same season – the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown bonus is shared not just with winning owners, but also with the trainer, stablelad and stable staff connected with any successful horse.
The WBX Hurdling Triple Crown actively encourages the leading two mile hurdlers to compete in Britain’s most prestigious hurdle races. It also attempts to widen the appeal of National Hunt racing and create increasedmedia interest in the sport’s biggest stars and those connected with them.
Phil Smith, Head of Handicapping at the BHA, describes the impact of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown over the lastfour years on National Hunt racing.
“The bonus offered for winning the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown has been hugely important in maintaining andimproving the Fighting Fifth Hurdle as a genuine Grade 1 target . Since WBX began sponsoring the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 2006, the winners of the race have always posted a 160+ performance in the eyes of the BHA Handicappers.
" Straw Bear managed 164 in 2006, Harchibald posted a 162 in 2007 and the second Al Eile recorded a 160 performance figure.
"In 2008 Punjabi recorded a figure of 160 on the way to becoming Champion Hurdler, while in the most recent renewal Go Native was assessed at 164 after winning at Newcastle and the second horse, Sublimity was given a 161 performance figure by us.
"Races where horses achieve a 160+ performance in winning are relatively rare for 2 mile hurdlers and there is no doubt that the £1 million bonus offered by World Bet Exchange takes a major responsibility in attracting trainers into running their classiest animals in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle. ”
Up to now, only one horse has ever won the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle in the same season. That horse was Kribensis, who achieved this feat in 1989/90.
