The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is the biggest test for long-distance novice hurdlers. Learn more about the best horses, jockeys and trainers to compete.
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle race has a history dating back just 20 years – only becoming a part of the Cheltenham Festival once a fourth day was added – and is a huge test for the absolute best long-distance novice hurdlers; being run over 3m with 12 hurdles to jump.
It is also a massive opportunity for future stars, proving to be a platform for horses to go on and win even bigger races that carry even more prize money. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the history of Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winners and its most successful jockeys and trainers.
Who are the last 10 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winners?
Below, see the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winners list of the last ten years between 2016-2025.
Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
2025 | Jasmin De Vaux | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
2024 | Stellar Story | Sam Ewing | Gordon Elliott |
2023 | Stay Far Away | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
2022 | The Nice Guy | Sean O’Keeffe | Willie Mullins |
2021 | Vanillier | Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell |
2020 | Monkfish | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
2019 | Minella Indo | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead |
2018 | Killbricken Storm | Harry Cobden | Colin Tizzard |
2017 | Penhill | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
2016 | Uknowwhatimeanharry | Noel Fehily | Harry Fry |
Who are the most notable winning horses in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle?
Being a novice hurdle, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has never been won by the same horse more than once, meaning it has a new winner every year. However, that’s not to say that the race can’t boast success stories!
Bobs Worth
The most successful horse to win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is undoubtedly Bobs Worth, who won the race in 2011 and went on to win the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in the following year. He then won arguably the best prize of all, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, two years later. This made him the first horse since Flyingbolt in the 1960’s to win three different races at consecutive Cheltenham Festivals.
Minella Indo
Similarly to Bobs Worth, Minella Indo also went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his 2019 victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. This Gold Cup win came two years after, in 2021, and became his second win at Cheltenham before retirement in 2025. His Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle win can be considered even more of a special result having been given 50/1 odds in the Cheltenham betting before the race.
Penhill
On top of being a five-time winner on the flat, Penhill was another successful winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, winning the race in 2017. Following on from this, Penhill also won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2018.
Who are the most successful trainers in Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle history?
The horses may take the headlines and be more centre stage, but trainers are what can make an enormous difference in racing performance. Unlike with the horses, there are certainly repeat Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winners among trainers!
Willie Mullins (4)
Topping the list with four wins under his belt, Willie Mullins is currently the most successful trainer in the history of the race. His first win came in 2017 with Penhill, followed by Monkfish in 2020, The Nice Guy in 2022, and most recently Jasmine De Vaux in 2025. Alongside success in Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle races, he is also famously successful in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, making him one of the best trainers in recent horse racing history.
Jonjo O’Neill (2)
Coming in second place is Jonjo O’Neill, with two winning horses to his name. O’Neill has also achieved something which Mullins has not in this race, which is having his horses win in two consecutive years! This is something O’Neill accomplished in 2006 with Wichita Lineman and 2007 with Black Jack Ketchum, not long after the race had been established.
Who are the most successful jockeys in Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle history?
Like trainers, jockeys have also been able to find success multiple times in this race. Here is a list of some of the best riders in Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle history:
Tony McCoy (3)
Tony McCoy established himself early on after the race was created, winning in 2006 and 2007. This was a successful partnership between him and trainer Jonjo O’Neill, despite having different horses (Wichita Lineman and Black Jack Ketchum), allowing him to win in consecutive years. He then triumphed again in 2013 with At Fishers Cross and a new trainer – this time partnering with Rebecca Curtis.
Paul Townend (3)
Only recently tying up the record with his 2025 victory, Paul Townend matches Tony McCoy for victories. Unlike McCoy, all of Townend’s success has come from working with the same trainer: Willie Mullins. His victories came in 2017 with Penhill, 2020 with Monkfish, and in 2025 with Jasmine De Vaux.
Robert Thornton (2)
The very first winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2005 was Robert Thornton with Moulin Riche. Thornton’s second victory came in 2008 with Nenuphar Collonges – only separated from his first by McCoy’s back-to-back wins! This second win has been highlighted by some as the ride that best displayed his talents.
Confident you can predict the next Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner? See how your prediction stacks up against our experts’, over on our Cheltenham blog.
