The Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt novice hurdle race in Ireland which is for horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 6 furlongs (4,426 metres). The race is scheduled to take place each year in late January or early February.
The race was first run in 1999 and is named in honour of Golden Cygnet, a racehorse trained by Edward O'Grady who was fatally injured while racing in 1978. It was awarded Grade 3 status in 2003 and then raised to Grade 2 in 2008. Since 2016 the race has been sponsored and run as the Nathaniel Lacy and Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle. Prior to 2018 it was run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and in 2018 it was extended to its present distance and upgraded to Grade 1 status as part of the new Dublin Racing Festival.
Records Leading jockey since 1999 (4 wins): Ruby Walsh – Boston Bob (2012), Pont Alexandre (2013), Sure Reef (2014), Let's Dance (2017) Paul Townend - Outlander (2015), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), Final Demand (2025), Doctor Steinberg (2026)
Leading trainer since 1999 (11 wins): Willie Mullins - Boston Bob (2012), Pont Alexandre (2013), Sure Reef (2014), Outlander (2015), A Toi Phil (2016), Let's Dance (2017), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), Minella Cocooner (2022), Dancing City (2024), Final Demand (2025), Doctor Steinberg (2026)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1999 Annie Cares 7 Charlie Swan W F Treacy 2000 Monifeth Man 5 Tony McCoy Mouse Morris 2001 Big-And-Bold 5 Conor O'Dwyer Ger Lyons 2002 Pietro Vannucci 6 Paul Carberry Noel Meade 2003 Solerina 6 Paul Carberry James Bowe 2004 Watson Lake 6 I J Power Noel Meade 2005 Washington Lad 5 Tony McCoy P A Fahy 2006 Nicanor 5 Paul Carberry Noel Meade 2007 Kazal 6 Barry Geraghty Eoin Griffin 2008 Liskennett 5 Niall Madden Charles Byrnes 2009 Roberto Goldback 7 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington 2010 Coole River 6 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington 2011 Hidden Cyclone 6 Andrew McNamara John Joseph Hanlon 2012 Boston Bob 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2013 Pont Alexandre 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2014 Sure Reef 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2015 Outlander 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2016 A Toi Phil 6 Bryan Cooper Willie Mullins 2017 Let's Dance 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2018 Tower Bridge 5 JJ Slevin Joseph O'Brien 2019 Commander of Fleet 5 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2020 Latest Exhibition 7 Bryan Cooper Paul Nolan 2021 Gaillard Du Mesnil 5 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2022 Minella Cocooner 6 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins 2023 Good Land 7 Michael O'Sullivan Barry Connell 2024 Dancing City 7 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins 2025 Final Demand 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2026 Doctor Steinberg 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish National Hunt races
References Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,