Prominent racehorse owner Max McNeill has called for end of the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
McNeill described it as “nonsense” that the best mares could avoid the Champion Hurdle for a “cop out” race instead. The race in question is the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle, moved this year to the Thursday at Cheltenham from Tuesday.
His quotes come after a two successive seasons in which Lossiemouth has run in the mares’ only event. Willie Mullins’ grey has won both those editions of the Mares’ Hurdle despite having regularly competed in top level races against both sexes in the build-up to Cheltenham. There is also the distinct possibility that Lossiemouth runs in the mares’ race again in 2026 after defeat at Leopardstown.
Racing public “fed up” of mares’ confusion
McNeill, who is also a prominent member of Cheltenham racecourse’s board, did not mince his words regarding this issue.
“The confusion over which race these mares are going to is nonsense,” he said, speaking to the Mirror. “I think we need to know now.
“The racing public, the punters, are getting fed up with it and they want to see the best horses in the Champion Hurdle – not have a cop-out in an easier Grade 1.
“There’s a bit of a cloud over that and I think we should get it sorted.”
There are two methods McNeill is keen on pursuing to attract a better Champion Hurdle field. One is to lower the grade of the Mares’ Hurdle, the other is to restrict its prospective participants:
“With a Grade 2, if Lossiemouth is going to run she needs to carry a Grade 1 penalty, or you make it a 0-150,” he added.
“That’s my view – it’s just my opinion – and I think we need to change that, because we all want competitive racing.”
As a result of either change, it would be hoped that mares such as Lossiemouth or Brighterdaysahead contest the Champion Hurdle instead, with that race being the more familiar championship race. In recent seasons, former Champion Hurdle winners Epatante and Honeysuckle have subsequently skipped the bigger race for the Mares’ Hurdle.
McNeill’s comments come in the build-up to what could be a significant Cheltenham for his colours. This season, they have been carried by distinction by Grade 1 Challow Hurdle winner No Drama This End. A grey, like Lossiemouth, he is favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle having finished ninth in the 2025 Champion Bumper.