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| King George VI Chase | |
|---|---|
| Name | King George VI Chase |
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | National Hunt racing |
| Sponsor | The Racing Post (current) |
| Website | Kempton Park Racecourse |
| Distance | 3 miles (approx.) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Five-years-old and up |
King George VI Chase is a premier National Hunt racing steeplechase held annually at Kempton Park Racecourse in Sunbury-on-Thames, England. Established in 1937 and named for George VI, the race is a feature of the Christmas racing calendar and often features leading chasers from Cheltenham Festival and Aintree campaigns. It attracts top trainers, owners and jockeys from the United Kingdom, Ireland and occasionally France and United States.
The race was inaugurated in 1937 during the reign of George VI and quickly became a centerpiece of British horse racing alongside fixtures such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National. Early champions were prepared by notable trainers including Fulke Walwyn, Fred Winter and Tom Dreaper who also campaigned at Sandown Park and Ascot Racecourse. Wartime adjustments saw the fixture moved or suspended during World War II, with winners from the period often trained at alternative venues such as Newmarket stables. Post-war resurgence paralleled the growth of televised coverage by BBC Sport and later Sky Sports Racing, which expanded the race’s profile alongside other major events like the Royal Ascot and the King’s Plate meetings.
Run over approximately three miles at Kempton Park, the contest is a Grade 1 steeplechase for horses aged five and older, featuring demanding fences and a right-handed course. It is staged on Boxing Day and forms part of the holiday racing tradition alongside meetings at Doncaster and Newbury. Eligibility and entry conditions are governed by the British Horseracing Authority and entries often include horses that contested the RSA Chase or the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier in the season. Trainers target this contest as a mid-season objective, often using preparatory races such as the Ryanair Chase or the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.
The most successful horse in the race’s modern era was Kauto Star with multiple victories under trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh. Leading trainers with numerous winners include Paul Nicholls, Nick Williams, and historical figures like Tom Dreaper. Jockey records are held by prominent riders such as Ruby Walsh, Sir Anthony McCoy, and Barry Geraghty who have accumulated multiple wins across the fixture list including wins in races like the Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase. Owners such as The Merriebelle Stable and prominent racing patrons like Lord Lloyd-Webber have campaigned winners. The event’s statistical archive interfaces with databases maintained by organizations like the British Horseracing Authority and publications such as Racing Post and Timeform.
Champions who enhanced the race’s prestige include Kauto Star, Denman, Best Mate, and Bobs Worth, all of whom also contested the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in their careers. Legendary trainers associated with winners are Nicky Henderson and Martin Pipe, while notable owners include syndicates linked to figures like J. P. McManus and aristocratic patrons from Lord Derby’s lineage. Memorable performances were delivered by jockeys such as Ruby Walsh, Sam Twiston-Davies, and Tony McCoy, some of whom also achieved major victories at Aintree and Punchestown. Internationally campaigned horses from France and Ireland have brought added competition, with contenders often having raced at Longchamp or Leopardstown prior to appearing at Kempton.
Sponsorship has evolved from aristocratic patronage to commercial partnerships with media and corporate sponsors including Racing Post and private owners’ entities. Prize funds have increased substantially since the mid-20th century, influenced by broadcasting deals with BBC Sport and ITV and later Sky Sports Racing, as well as betting industry contributions from companies such as Betfair and William Hill. Prize money levels are set in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority and reflect the race’s Grade 1 status alongside purses for races like the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.
The race is embedded in British holiday traditions and is widely covered by outlets such as Sky Sports Racing, BBC Sport, ITV Racing and specialists like Racing Post. It features in documentaries and retrospectives produced by broadcasters and media groups including ITV Sport and Channel 4 Racing (historically), and grassroots coverage appears in publications such as The Times and Daily Telegraph. Its influence extends into popular culture with appearances in sport-themed features and commentaries by personalities like Clive Anderson and former jockey pundits including Richard Johnson. Betting markets around the race are monitored by firms such as Paddy Power and Bet365, and its outcomes often influence end-of-season awards administered by organisations like the Horse Racing Authority and panels of Timeform analysts.
Category:National Hunt races in Great Britain