Boxing Day is one of the most exciting days for sports fans, with a full calendar of horse racing and football to look forward to. Here, we preview the 2024 Kempton Christmas Festival and explain how to bet on this iconic horse racing event at talkSPORT BET.
Everything You Need to Know About the Kempton Christmas Festival 2024
The Kempton Christmas Festival is an annual celebration of horse racing, scheduled for Boxing Day and the 27th of December each year. The main event is the King George VI Chase – indeed, some punters refer to Boxing Day as King George VI Chase Day – but several other high-profile races are on the card over two days.
Other races include the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, the Limited Handicap Chase, and the Christmas Hurdle. The action plays out at Kempton Park in Surrey, England. Below is an overview of the main races on each day of the Kempton Christmas Festival to add to your diary:
Day 1: King George VI Chase Day
| Race | Grade | Length | Age |
| Novices’ Hurdle | Class 2 | 2m | 4+ |
| Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase | Class 3 | 2m41/2f | 4+ |
| Kauto Star Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | 3m | 4+ |
| Christmas Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m | 4+ |
| King George VI Chase | Grade 1 | 3m | 4+ |
| Handicap Hurdle | Class 3 | 2m5f | 3+ |
Day 2: Desert Orchid Chase Day
| Race | Grade | Length | Age |
| Introductory Juvenile Hurdle | Class 2 | 2m | 3+ |
| Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase | Grade 2 | 2m | 4+ |
| Mares’ Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 | 3m1/2f | 4+ |
| Desert Orchid Chase | Grade 2 | 2m | 4+ |
| Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 3m | 4+ |
| Handicap Hurdle | Class 3 | 2m | 3+ |
The star event of the Christmas Festival is undoubtedly the King George VI Chase, a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase open to horses over four years old. The legendary Kauto Star is the most successful horse in the Chase’s history, with five wins between 2006 and 2011.
Kempton Christmas Festival Odds & Betting
You can access the best ante-post odds ahead of the Kempton Christmas Festival at talkSPORT BET. We offer all punters various markets and betting options, including simple to-win bets and exotic bets like Trifectas and Goliaths.
At this early stage, Il Est Francais is the early favourite at 5/2* for the King George VI Chase, while Gaelic Warrior (4/1*) and Galopin Des Champs (7/1*) are also fancied.
You can bet on all the races throughout the Kempton Christmas Festival at talkSPORT BET, including the King George VI Chase and the Desert Orchid Chase.
King George VI Chase Day
The King George VI Chase is one of the most iconic Grade 1 races on the British horseracing calendar, held on Boxing Day. It is surpassed in prestige only by the Cheltenham Gold Cup, attracting punters from around the world.
History of the King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase was first held in February 1937 and named after the new British King. After World War II, the Chase was moved to Boxing Day, the day on which it has been run ever since. During the War, Kempton Park was used as a prisoner-of-war camp, and Rowland Roy won the first post-war race in 1947.
Previous Winners
Fifteen horses have won the King George VI Chase more than once. Kauto Star is the only horse to have won the race five times – in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. Trained by Paul Nicholls and under Ruby Walsh, Kauto Star is the undisputed champion of the Chase.
Desert Orchid won the King George VI Chase four times in a glittering career, winning in 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1990 under Simon Sherwood and Richard Dunwoody.
Nicholls has trained the most King George VI winners, with 13 wins at Kempton. His first triumph came in 1997 with See More Business, followed by Kauto Star, Silviniaco Conti, Clan Des Obeaux, Frodon, and Bravemansgame.
Below are the previous ten winners of the King George VI Chase going into the 2024 Boxing Day race:
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Hewick | Gavin Sheehan | John Joseph Hanlon |
| 2022 | Bravemansgame | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
| 2021 | Tornado Flyer | Danny Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 2020 | Frodon | Bryony Frost | Paul Nicholls |
| 2019 | Clan Des Obeaux | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 2018 | Clan Des Obeaux | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
| 2017 | Might Bite | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 2016 | Thistlecrack | Tom Scudamore | Colin Tizzard |
| 2015 | Cue Card | Paddy Brennan | Colin Tizzard |
| 2014 | Silviniaco Conti | Noel Fehily | Paul Nicholls |
Desert Orchid Chase Day
Desert Orchid Chase Day is on December 27th each year, named after the famous horse that won the King George VI Chase four times in the 1980s. On the second day of the Kempton Festival, there are five Grade 2 races and a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle. The main event is the Grade 2 Desert Orchid National Hunt steeplechase.
Nicky Henderson has trained five winners in the Desert Orchid Chase, while three horses have won the Desert Orchid Chase three times: Voy Por Ustedes (2006 & 2007), Special Tiara (2014 & 2016), and Editeur Du Gite (2022 & 2023).
How to Bet on the Kempton Christmas Festival
To bet on the Kempton Christmas Festival, you must create an account at talkSPORT BET. We offer competitive ante-post odds for all horse racing meets, including the King George VI Chase and the Desert Orchid Chase.
Click the “Sign Up” button on the talkSPORT BET Sportsbook homepage, follow the prompts, and create an account to bet on the Kempton Park Christmas Festival. Then, when your account is live, head to our offers page, unlock a free bet and make a real money deposit to fund your wagers.
Please remember to gamble responsibly – visit our Safer Gambling Portal for tips and tools to stay in control.
Kempton Christmas Festival FAQs
When is the 2024 Kempton Christmas Festival?
The 2024 Kempton Christmas Festival runs from 26th to 27th December. The King George VI Chase is on Boxing Day, while the Desert Orchid Chase is on the 27th.
Who is competing at the 2024 Kempton Christmas Festival?
Many of the top horses compete at the Kempton Christmas Festival. For instance, you can cheer on Il Est Francais, Gaelic Warrior, Galopin Des Champs, Grey Dawning, Il Etait Temps, Banbridge, and others across this winter racing festival.
What is King George VI Chase Day?
King George VI Chase Day is the name given to Boxing Day during the Kempton Park Christmas Festival. It’s named after the Grade 1 National Hunt race of the same name that takes place at Kempton Park every Boxing Day.
*Odds correct at the time of writing.
