crystal cup
World Class jump racing? Tick. Stars of the sport? Tick. The infamous Taxis Ditch? Tick. The Crystal Cup European Cross Country Challenge does indeed tick all the right boxes and delivers it all CROSS COUNTRY SPECTACULAR
BOASTING PRIZE MONEY worth €733,000 across eleven races, the Crystal Cup, a series which has been running for eight years, is made up of cross country races, which take place over difference fences to the usual ones seen in Jump racing. Cheltenham Racecourse is proud to host two races of the Crystal Cup, one during the second day of The Festival and again during The International in December, and it is the only racecourse in the UK that hosts cross country racing. The final race of the series takes place at The International, where prizes are awarded to the leading owner, leading trainers and leading jockey over the past 12 months. The result of the race last season, which was won by Blessed The Wing, trained by Gordon Elliott, did not impact overall standings of the Crystal Cup with another French trainer, Patrice Quinton, claiming the series Trainers’ Trophy, which was presented after the race.
Each October, the cross country race, the Pardubice, in the Czech Republic, the infamous Taxis Ditch, a one and a half metre tall hedge with a two metre deep five metre long ditch. The race includes 31 varying obstacles over 4m 2½f and is often compared to the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. Between the two Cheltenham races, eight other races are run across Europe, including the Grand Steeplechase des Flandres, Belgium’s biggest race at the historic Waregem and the Velka Pardubicka, the most valuable prize of the series over the daunting obstacles in the Czech Republic. Contenders also head to Wroclaw in Poland and Merano in Italy, as well as for other prizes at Craon and Compiegne back in France.
KEY FACTS AND STATS € 733,000 total prize money 11 races Six European countries 12 months One Randox Health Grand National Winner
Racing Breaks offers special trips to Crystal Cup races
throughout the year. Escorted trips will be available to Pardubice, Merano, Wroclaw and Waregem. Visit racingbreaks.com
For further details about the Crystal Cup please visit
crystalcup.org
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