Kempton Races Boxing Day: The Jukebox Man Triumphs in Spectacular King George

Boxing Day Racing Tradition at Kempton Park

The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase stages some of the most important races in the Jump calendar, including the Grade 1 Boxing Day showpiece, drawing thousands of racing enthusiasts to Kempton Park Racecourse. This year’s Boxing Day card once again proved why this fixture remains one of the highlights of the National Hunt season, delivering drama, excitement, and an unforgettable finish.

Dramatic Photo Finish in the King George

The Jukebox Man, carrying the colours of former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp, came out on top in an epic renewal of the King George VI Chase. A quality field of eight assembled for the Boxing Day highlight, with the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File joined at the head of the betting by Nicky Henderson’s recent Ascot winner Jango Baie.

After tracking the pacesetting Il Est Francais for much of the three-mile journey, Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man (7-1) moved to the lead before the final bend under Ben Jones, but the runners were tightly grouped as they straightened up for home. The trio went into the final jump together, with The Jukebox Man coming down in third, but Ben Jones led the 7-1 shot back between his two rivals. Although Banbridge (16-1) edged fractionally in front, Redknapp’s charge dug deep to win by a nose, with Gaelic Warrior a similar margin back in third.

Harry Redknapp’s Dream Realized

Redknapp said: “That’s a dream and to have a horse that good is unbelievable. I love the game, to come here on King George day and just run made me so proud, but to have the winner is special”. The former Tottenham and West Ham manager experienced an anxious wait for the photo finish result before celebrating his biggest success in racing.

Significance for British Racing

If there was ever a race that showed why everything should be done to keep Kempton going, that King George was it. The race’s future has been under scrutiny, making this year’s thrilling contest particularly poignant. Staged over three miles, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase is the mid-season highlight in the three-mile chase category and is a Grade One contest. It forms the second leg of The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown, sandwiched between the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

For racing fans, Kempton’s Boxing Day fixture once again demonstrated why it remains an essential part of the British sporting calendar, delivering world-class competition and unforgettable memories for participants and spectators alike.