The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 affair that dates back to 1937. It is run on Boxing Day at Kempton as part of the course’s Christmas Festival and is a highlight of the festive season, and indeed the whole year, for National Hunt fans. Generally considered to be the second-most prestigious chase on the calendar, the total purse in 2022 was a very handy £250,000. The race is open to all horses aged at least four, with a seven-pound allowance for fillies and mares.
The three-mile test sees a field of top-class chasers contend with 18 fences and has produced some thrilling races over the years. The roll of honour reads like a who’s who of UK and Irish chasing, with Mill House, Arkle, Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Long Run just some of the legends to have won this one. None can match the record of the brilliant Kauto Star though, who claimed this title five times in six years between 2006 and 2011.
2024
- 1st - Banbridge 7/1, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- 2nd - Il Est Francais 9/2, Jockey: James Reveley, Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
- 3rd - L’Homme Presse 14/1, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch, Trainer: Venetia Williams
2023
- 1st - Hewick 12/1, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon
- 2nd - Bravemansgame 19/4, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd - Allaho 13/8F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2022
- 1st - Bravemansgame 11/4, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Royal Pagaille 12/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Venetia Williams
- 3rd - Frodon 18/1, Jockey: Bryony Frost, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2021
- 1st - Tornado Flyer 28/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Clan Des Obeaux 7/2, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd - Saint Calvados 25/1, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2020
- 1st - Frodon 20/1, Jockey: Bryony Frost, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Waiting Patiently 12/1, Jockey: Brian Hughes, Trainer: Ruth Jefferson
- 3rd - Clan Des Obeaux 85/40F, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2019
- 1st - Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 11/2, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Dynaste (FR) 5/4F, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
2018
- 1st - Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 12/1, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Thistlecrack 15/2, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
- 3rd - Native River (IRE) 9/2, Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
2017
- 1st - Might Bite (IRE) 6/4F, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 2nd - Double Shuffle (IRE) 50/1, Jockey: Adrian P Heskin, Trainer: Tom George
- 3rd - Tea For Two 20/1, Jockey: Lizzie Kelly, Trainer: Nick Williams
2016
- 1st - Thistlecrack 11/10F, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
- 2nd - Cue Card 5/4, Jockey: Paddy Brennan, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
2015
- 1st - Cue Card 9/2, Jockey: Paddy Brennan, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
- 2nd - Vautour (FR) 3/1, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Al Ferof (FR) 16/1, Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
2014
- 1st - Silviniaco Conti (FR) 15/8F, Jockey: Noel Fehily, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd - Dynaste (FR) 7/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: David Pipe
- 3rd - Al Ferof (FR) 7/1, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Paul Nicholls