KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle

KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle
Grade 1 race
LocationPunchestown
County Kildare, Ireland
Race typeHurdle race
SponsorKPMG
WebsitePunchestown
Race information
Distance2m 100y (3,219 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 st 12 lb
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse€125,000 (2022)
1st: €73,750
Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
2022
Red, white diamond, white sleeves, red diamonds, red cap Dark blue, orange braces, halved sleeves, orange spots on cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Mighty Potter Gatsby Grey Sir Gerhard
Previous years
2021
Emerald green and red halved, emerald green sleeves and cap Red, white diamond, white sleeves, red spots, red cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots
Echoes In Rain Colonel Mustard Blue Lord
2020-2011
2019
Red and yellow hoops, red sleeves, yellow stars on cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Black, yellow stars, yellow sleeves, black stars, yellow cap, black stars
Klassical Dream Felix Desjy Mister Blue Sky
2018
Grey, grey and black check cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Maroon, white star and armlet, white cap
Draconien Vision Des Flos Mengli Khan
2017
Purple, yellow chevron, yellow cap Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap
Cilaos Emery Melon Pingshou
2016
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star White, black cap
Don't Touch It Petit Mouchoir Brain Power
2015
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Emerald green, yellow sleeves, white cap, yellow spots
Douvan Sizing John Blair Perrone
2014
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Dark green, maroon stars, maroon cap
Faugheen Valseur Lido Sgt Reckless
2013
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Emerald green, yellow sleeves, white cap, yellow spots Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap
Jezki Ted Veale Champagne Fever
2012
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Purple, orange seams, orange star on cap
Alderwood Trifolium Simenon
2011
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Purple, yellow cross of lorraine, yellow cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star
Shot From The Hip Hidden Universe Far Away So Close
2010-2003
2010
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Purple and white hoops, white cap Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap
Blackstairmountain Flat Out Sweeps Hill
2009
Royal blue, emerald green triple diamond, royal blue cap, emerald green diamonds Red, white sleeves, red diamonds, red and white quartered cap Red And White Diamonds, White Sleeves, Red Armlets, Red Cap
Hurricane Fly Kempes Riverside Theatre
2008
EMERALD GREEN and ORANGE HOOPED, white cap DARK GREEN, yellow chevron and chevrons on sleeves, dark green cap, yellow star RED and WHITE HOOPS, red sleeves, black cap
Jered Salford City Fiveforthree
2007
White, purple hoops ROYAL BLUE, red sash, white cap, orange spots RED and BLACK STRIPES, red sleeves, black seams, striped cap
Clopf Holly Tree Rindoon
2006
Dark blue, yellow diamond and sleeves, royal blue cap, red diamond Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Emerald green, yellow seams, quartered cap
Iktitaf Straw Bear Jazz Messenger
2005
Purple, gold sleeves, hooped cap MAROON, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star DARK BLUE, yellow panel, check cap
Wild Passion Kill Devil Hill In Compliance
2004
Purple, yellow disc, sleeves and cap White, red stars, red and white hooped sleeves, white cap, red stars Emerald green, orange epaulets and armlets, orange cap, white star
Brave Inca Royal Shakespeare Royal Alphabet
2003
Dark blue, emerald green seams, white cap Dark blue, white star, red sleeves, white stars, red cap, white star Dark blue
Back In Front Limerick Boy Fota Island
 

The KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles ½ furlong (2 miles and 100 yards, or 3,310 metres), and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Punchestown Festival in late April or early May.

The event was formerly open to horses aged four or older, and for a period it was sponsored by BMW. The minimum age was raised to five in 1992, and Country Pride took over the sponsorship in 1993. The race was promoted from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status in 1998.[citation needed]

The Evening Herald became the usual sponsor of the race in 2000. The event was subsequently backed by VC Bet, but the Evening Herald returned as sponsor in 2009. The race was rebranded as the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle in 2013 after the sponsoring newspaper changed its name. Ecomm Merchant Solutions took over sponsorship from the 2021 running[citation needed], Bective Stud sponsored in 2022 and the current sponsors, KPMG, took over in 2023.