Its history for trainer Nicky Henderson as his horse Old Park Star wins the sky bet supreme Novice’s hurdle.
It was 40 years ago today when a young Nicky Henderson walked in with his horse River Ceirog. The horse pushed himself to the limit to give Henderson his first win in the Cheltenham festival opener. The jockey at the time was Steve Eccles.
We travel forward forty years to today the faces have changed the result didn’t.
Today’s opener saw Old Park star Henderson’s latest model perform with authority. just as River Ceirog in 86. Old Park star accelerated with ease and made his way over the hurdles and despite the tight finish he was able to just about pull through.
Its Henderson’s 76th winner at the festival a number that he didn’t think he would reach forty years ago when he was just making his way out of the shadow of Fred Winter his mentor.
In 1986 the supreme Novice’s hurdle was the chance for a young Nicky. Prior to that he had only tasted festival success for the first time in the year before but on this very day he sent out River Ceiriog.
River Ceiriog was ridden by the horse racing legend Steve Eccles, Ceiriog ran through the race with a professional ease that only Henderson could provide. The horse managed to get clear standing up against the heavy turf to get victory by seven lengths. The win wants just any win it was to send a message, it was Henderson’s first win at the Cheltenham festival opener, and it set the tone for a historic day ahead as he followed up with the champion hurdle.
Old Park Star takes the Cheltenham Festival opener 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 10, 2026
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle belongs to @NdeBoinville & @sevenbarrows 👏 pic.twitter.com/7RTllQwNaE
Fast forward 40 years to today the sport may have changed and the people and horses but the result the same. Henderson’s latest student Old Park star sat in the exact same position River Ceiriog did forty years earlier. While the others scrambled and fought behind him Old Park star was able to cross the line first despite the tight finish.
Jockey Nico De Bonneville rang the reigns old park star was able to fight his way to victory.
The people in the winner’s enclosure may have changed and aged and the skills required maybe different however the tactics remain the same. In 86 Ceiriog showed that Henderson was the new dominant force for the hurdles and at the age of 75 his dominance is far from done.
