Bet on King George VI Chase - Odds, Event Info, History and Winners

Race Details:

Date: 2024.12.26
Grade: 1
Open To: Horses Four Years and Older
Track: Turf
Length: 4,828 Metres
Location: United Kingdom


The King George VI Chase is one of the biggest steeplechase races of the year in the United Kingdom.

The event, which takes place on Boxing Day every year, is part of the Kempton Park's "Winter Festival" and is sponsored by Ladbrokes.


2023 Winner:

Hewick, a 12-1 underdog, won after Shishkin's slip. Gavin Sheehan was the jockey.

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The race, which is open to all horses four years and older, is run on a turf course that spans 4,828 metres in length and features a total of 18 fences.

The King George VI Chase has a purse of £250,000 and was started in 1937 as a way to pay respects to King George VI. The race was previously a handicap though is not anymore.

An interesting note about the course - Kempton Park in Sunbury, England was used as a Prisoner of War camp during World War II.

As mentioned, there is no upper age limit on the horses that can enter the race, which means that there have been multiple winners of the event. A total of 14 horses have won the event more than once, with "Kauto Star" holding the all-time record with a total of five victories.

"Southern Hero" was the oldest horse to have ever won the event, as he was 12 years of age when he won in 1937.

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The race typically attracts many of the top chasers from Britain and Ireland, making it a truly competitive affair. The quality of competitors means that both form and strategy come into play, and it's always an eagerly anticipated event in the racing calendar.

Beyond its prestige and prize money, the King George VI Chase serves as a significant indicator for other big races later in the season, especially the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Many horses that perform well in the King George go on to compete in (and sometimes win) the Gold Cup.

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If you're a fan of jump racing or just enjoy the spectacle of top-quality horse racing, the King George VI Chase is one event you wouldn't want to miss.

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