King George VI Chase Results & Winners

The King George VI Chase is a steeplechase run over the distance of three miles (3m) at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. It is open to horses who are four years old and above, and the field of horses jumps 18 fences at the Surrey venue.

The opening King George VI Chase was run in 1937 when Southern Hero came out on top at the age of 12. He remains the oldest winner in the race’s history.

In the 1960s, two of the greatest steeplechasers of all time added their name to the roll of honour at Kempton. Mill House prevailed in 1963 in what proved to be a dominant year for the British-trained horse, as he also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Hennessy Gold Cup. Two years later in 1965, Arkle won the race by a distance continuing his domination of the 3m division.

Wayward Lad was one of the most successful King George VI Chase horses of the 1980s. Michael Dickinson’s runner won the race in 1982, 1983, and 1985. Due to the success he had at Kempton, there is now a race at the meeting named in his honour (Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase).

Jenny Pitman became the first female trainer to win the King George VI Chase when she saddled Burrough Hill Lad to victory in 1984. Some 26 years later, Bryony Frost rode Frodon to success in the race, becoming the first female jockey to lift the trophy.

Arguably the most popular King George VI Chase winner in history is Desert Orchid. The grey chaser won the Boxing Day contest four times. He was cheered to success by the majority of the crowd at Kempton on each occasion. When he died in 2006, he was buried at Kempton Park racecourse and a statue was built to honour his success. The former winner also has a race named after him at the festive meeting (The Desert Orchid Chase).

Kauto Star matched Desert Orchid’s record of four wins when he was triumphant for the fourth straight year in 2009. Paul Nicholls’ Cheltenham Gold Cup hero then broke the record, regaining his crown in 2011 at the age of 11.

Clan Des Obeaux gave Champion Trainer Nicholls more success in 2018 and 2019, while Frodon was a surprise winner for the Ditcheat man in 2020.

An Irish-trained horse won the race in 2021 for the first time in 16 years when Tornado Flyer came out on top for Willie Mullins in what was a hot renewal of the 3m contest.

Who Won the King George at Kempton 2022?

The 2022 King George VI Chase was won by Bravemansgame who is trained by Paul Nicholls. He gave his trainer a record-extending 13th success in the race. The eight-year-old went clear of his rivals after the final fence at Kempton to score by an impressive 14 lengths.

Royale Pagaille chased home Bravemansgame in second place in the Boxing Day feature in 2022, while former winner Frodon completed the placings.

L’Homme Presse was travelling well in the race but came down at the final fence, while Hitman was pulled up before the finish.

The 2022 winner, Bravemansgame, is 2/1 in the King George VI Chase betting with talkSPORT BET to defend his crown in 2023. The Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up is also expected to feature in the Blue Riband event of the sport in March where he is one of the favourites in the Cheltenham Festival betting.

How Much Does the Winner of the King George Get?

The King George VI Chase is one of the most lucrative races on the Jumps calendar in the UK. It is second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in terms of prestige in the 3m chase division.

There is a total purse of £250,000 in the King George VI Chase, with the winner scooping £142,375. Allaho is the 6/4 favourite in the horse racing odds with talkSPORT BET to win the 2023 renewal of the race.