Best National Hunt Horses Of All Time

Didn't race past 9 years of age due to a tendon injury sustained in the King george, so could've won even more races than he did.

Known to the racing public as 'Himself'. The Greatest National Hunt horse ever...

Passed away in 2015 and a much missed legendary steeplechaser.

Five King George VI chases, two Cheltenham Gold cups and four Betfair chases are some of this horse's career highlights.

What a seriously good horse this was with the heart of a lion wonderful memories .Thanks Dessie.

There is a race named in the great grey's honour called the 'Desert Orchid Chase' annually at Kempton in late December, first run in 2006, the year Desert Orchid passed away.

The best horse by far! Total legend and forever the King of Aintree, alongside his brilliant trainer and great character, Ginger McCain!

One of the great staying steeplechasers ever.

Firstly in any sport we all judge a career on the performance in the ultimate event. This is why Red Rum is by far the best horse that has ever lived. Not only to achieve winning the national once but an unprecedented 3 times. To put this into perspective only one other horse ''Reynoldstown'' had won it twice since ''The coronal'' in 1869-70. There is an element of luck in any race however over the ultimate distance and the toughest fences luck plays a smaller part. For this reason Red rum is the best horse ever.

Recently deceased, great 2m hurdler, formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien.

One of the recent National Hunt legends in 2m hurdling. A triple winner of the Champion Hurdle (1998, 1999, 2000).

5 Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Grand National set in a course record in 1934 carrying 12st.02lbs that stood till red Rum broke it in 1973 carrying 10st.05 lbs. Gobsmacked this horse is only ninth on the list, wake up and smell the coffee folks.

Recently retired. One of the best 2m chasers this century.

His performance in the 2016 Champion chase retaining his title brought a lump to my throat. What a star.

As of March 2016, has two Champion Chases including the 2016 renewal.

Won the Desert Orchid Chase on 27th December 2015 beating former 2 mile champ Sire De Grugy

Recently won the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on 15th November 2015.

Former 2m champion chaser who ran a fine race behind Dodging Bullets on recent return to a UK racetrack. This was at Ascot's Clarence House Chase on January 17th 2015.

It is now ten victories out of ten over fences as Sprinter Sacre won the Punchestown Champion Chase in Ireland on 23rd April.

Won the 2013 Melling Chase to his ever growing CV to make it nine victories out of nine.

Sprinter Sacre has just won the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Such a great horse and what a jumper. Would destry fields by leaping past them. Didnt have the pace of Arkle but more stamina.

When Flyingbolt was trained in the same yard (Tom Dreaper's) at the same time as Arkle he was never given the opportunity to take him on or to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he beat the horses Arkle beat on similar terms, and the Irish official handicapper at the time gave him a rating only 2lb below his stablemate's. Moreover, Pat Taaffe, who rode both, was never sure which was better. And, of course, although Flyingbolt stayed as thoroughly as Arkle did (both won Irish Nationals) he had the pace to win at the highest level in two-mile chases and to be placed in the Champion Hurdle. Maybe Arkle WAS the greatest, but Flyingbolt may have been and was at least a close second-best.

The 'mighty' Denman

There is a race called the 'Denman Chase' named in the horse's honour held annually in February. It is a key trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup inaugurated in 2000.

The best staying hurdler in history including four consecutive World hurdles. Had an unbeaten period between 2009 and 2014

Now retired after the last appearance in the 2014 World Hurdle, a race this horse has dominated in recent times.

Four time World Hurdle winner between 2009 and 2012.

Should rate this horse a little higher now that he is the only horse to win consecutive World Hurdles.

Now retired but what an amazing hurdler, one of the best.

As of January 2015, won twenty two Grade one victories including two champion hurdles. Latest win was at Leopardstown's Irish Champion Hurdle on 25th January to make it five consecutive victories in the race.

As of November 2014, this horse has won twenty Grade Ones including two Cheltenham Champion hurdles.

Just won an eighteenth Grade One in Ireland on 29th December 2013.

Now the sole undisputed National Hunt king with seventeen Grade One wins. This was at Punchestown's Morgiana Hurdle on 17th November.

Hurricane Fly now has sixteen Grade one victories matched only by Kauto Star by landing a fourth Punchestown Champion Hurdle in succession on April 26th 2013

Winner of both the 2011 and 2013 Champion Hurdle, the first to regain it since 1970s horse Comedy of Errors but has numerous Grade 1 races in Ireland

Winner of the 2011 Champion Hurdle but has won numerous Grade 1 races in Ireland.

Three Cheltenham Gold Cups in 1948 1949 and 1950 along with the 1949 King George V1 makes Vincent O`Briens charge a seriously good horse.

Two time Champion Hurdle winner of a golden era from the 1970s. Went chasing afterwards including its participation in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

One of the great champion hurdlers of the last fifty years.

Surely he should be higher

The first triple winner of the Champion Hurdle, 1949, 1950 and 1951.

Would have been unbeaten for years if kept as a specialist 2-miler

Won 18 of his first 20 races and only two losses were in Cheltenham Gold Cup. The world knows what happened....one second (photo finish) and one brought down.

The much loved deceased mare who was a legend in National Hunt racing.

The 2008 Queen Mother Champion Chase and the 2010 Tingle Creek that was re-routed to Cheltenham from Sandown are my picks of this horse's career.

three champion hurdles in a row and runner up in fourth my favourite hurdler.

Retired but a Cheltenham legend.

It is now six mares championship in a row between 2009 and 2014. Incredible.

This mare is now a Cheltenham legend.

Five time winner of the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle between 2009 and 2013, one of the new races at the annual Cheltenham Festival.

One of the best 2m champion chases ever.

One of most talented horses just not trained by the right trainer until it was to late.

Any horse that wins 3 Champion Hurdles surely deserves the label of a `Great`.

Had an unbeaten period that included three Champion hurdles.

His victory in the 1995 Mumm Melling against Deep Sensation and Marthas Son is fresh in the mind even now in 2016. Brilliant horse.

Probably the greatest 2m chaser of the 1990s.

The much loved deceased grey horse.

This was the horse trained by Paul Nicholls that rewarded him with his first Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999.

Whats that coming over the hill is it a Monster its INGLIS DREVER !!!. Guts Guts and more Guts same as Viking Flagship. Love them to bits. 10/10

I read somewhere that this horse is matched only by current champion stayer Big Bucks and that is true.

What a legend so unlucky in Gold Cups just couldn't see out that hill. Great horse.

Although this horse won a Champion Chase later in career, in my book, one of the top 2m chasers.

Steve Smith Eccles was brilliant on this Great.

One of the all time great 2m hurdlers formerly trained by Nicky Henderson.

Faugheen had gone chasing and on February 2nd won a grade 1 race at Leopardstown as a staying novice chaser. Very few hurdling stars have achieved this distinction.

The 2015 Champion Hurdle winner, as of 2016 won 2 Christmas Hurdles and more recently, the Irish Champion Hurdle. Was the top novice hurdler of 2014.

Now a dual Christmas Hurdle winner (2014 & 2015)

Won the 2007 and 2009 Tingle Creek trained by Paul Nicholls.

Aintree Hurdle (2016)

Won the Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle (2017).

Recently deceased and one of Cheltenham Festival's great horses.

As of March 17th 2016, has three successive Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 victories including the 2016 Ryanair Chase, the horse's biggest win so far.

Also won two King George VI Chases.

Won the King George VI Chase twice (1991 & 1992) and the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

One of the top steeplechasers of the early 1990s.

crisp put up the greatest grand national run ever. considered best at 2 miles. he proved just how superior he was to red rum

The only horse actually to achieve hurdling's 'Triple Crown' mentioned above apart from the Triumph Hurdle.

Won the Ascot Chase on 20th February 2016 impressively, this horse's seventh Grade 1 career victory.

As of April 16th 2015, won two King George VI chases (2013 & 2014), two Lancashire chases at Haydock (2012 & 2014) and two Aintree Bowl victories (2014 & 2015). Used to be a hurdler prior to become a top class chaser.

As of January 2015, won two King George VI chases (2013 & 2014) and two Lancashire chases at Haydock (2012 & 2014).

As of November 2014, this horse has now won two Lancashire chases at Haydock (2012 and 2014) as well as the 2013 King George VI Chase winner.

Won the 2013 King George VI Chase.

2013 Liverpool Hurdle winner.

Also won the 2013 World Hurdle.

One of the top hurdlers of the 1970s who had a liking for Kempton Park. A race named the 'Lanzarote Hurdle' is held every January at the latter venue. The 2018 version took place earlier in the latter month.

One of the all time great hurdlers, then went chasing afterwards. Cheltenham's Bula Hurdle (known nowadays as the International) is held every December and part of the two day meeting.

One of the top hurdlers of the 2000s including two Cheltenham champion hurdles.

One of the top National Hunt horses of the 1980s.

I remember this horse finishing second to Master Minded in the 2009 Champion Chase.

Won the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

This horse came so close to complete the Cheltenham Gold Cup/Grand National double in 1991.

As of December 27th 2016, the soon to be former staying champion hurdler has a new direction over fences including the King George VI Chase (2016). One of a select few to win Grade 1s over fences and hurdles. A unique achievement.

Former World Hurdle winner who recently stepped up to steeplechasing with success so far. Could well be a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender.

Liverpool Hurdle (2016)

Now retired but what an amazing National Hunt horse. Used to be a 2m hurdler before becoming a top 2m steeplechaser.

2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

As of 25th November 2017, a multiple Grade 1 winner including a King George VI Chase and three Betfair Chase victories. Finished second in the latest version behind Nigel Twiston Davies's new star chaser, Bristol De Mai.

As of 26th February 2017, a multiple Grade 1 steeplechaser including a King George VI Chase and recently won the second of two Ascot Chases. Also won it in 2013. Won a Champion Bumper, too impressively.

As of November 29th 2016 has won three Betfair chases including the 2016 renewal.

King George VI Chase (2015)

As of November 2015, won two Lancashire chases (2013 & 2015), Ascot Chase and Ryanair Chase

I think he should be higher. Other victories included three Irish Hennessy's, Peter Marsh Chase and Mandarin Chase

Early 2000s National Hunt hurdler.

Early 1990s National Hunt horse.

A previous Champion hurdler.

Two time Champion Hurdle winner (2021 & 2022), now retired.

Two time Champion Hurdle winner among many Grade 1 victories. Won the 2018 version on 13th March.

Multiple Grade 1 winner including the 2017 Champion Hurdle.

One of the finest staying chasers of the past 20 years

Very under-the-counter at no.96, a phenomenon at his best, but inconsistent