2025 King George VI Chase Trends

Staged each year on at Christmas on Boxing Day at Kempton racecourse, (Friday 26^th December) the King George VI Chase is the highlight contest on the festive racing calendar.

With star names like Desert Orchid, One Man and, more recently, Kauto Star, who won the King George Chase a staggering five times, amongst the household names to land this decent pot then the 3m Grade One race never fails to attract the best longer distance chasers in training, while it’s also seen as a good guide to that season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the King George VI Chase a remarkable 13 times. While last year we saw the Irish-trained Banbridge land the famous festive race.

We take a look back at recent winners and highlight the key stats to take into the 2024 renewal – this year run on Boxing Day, Friday Dec 26^th - Can trainer Paul Nicholls win the race for a 14th time?

Past King George VI Chase Winners

2024 - Banbridge (7/1)
2023 - Hewick (12/1)
2022 - Bravemansgame (11/4)
2021 – Tornado Flyer (28/1)
2020 - Frodon (20/1)
2019 - Clan Des Obeaux (11/2)
2018 – Clan Des Obeaux (12/1)
2017 – Might Bite (6/4 fav)
2016 – Thistlecrack (11/10 fav)
2015 – Cue Card (9/2)
2014 - Silviniaco Conti (15/8 fav)
2013 – Silviniaco Conti (7/2)
2012 – Long Run (15/8 fav)
2011 – Kauto Star (3/1)
2010 – Long Run (9/2)
2009 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
2008 – Kauto Star (10/11 fav)
2007 – Kauto Star (4/6 fav)
2006 – Kauto Star (8/13 fav)
2005 – Kicking King (11/8 fav)
2004 – Kicking King (3/1 fav)
2003 – Edredon Bleu (25/1)
2002 – Best Mate (11/8 fav)

Note: The 2005 renewal was staged at Sandown Park

King George VI Chase Trends

21/23 – French (14) or Irish bred (7)
19/23 – Had raced within the last 5 weeks
19/23 – Had won a Grade One chase before
19/23 – Aged 8 or younger
18/23 – Had won over 3m or further (fences) before
17/23 – Finished in the top three last time out
16/23 – Placed favourites
16/23 – Returned 9/2 or shorter in the betting
16/23 – Officially rated 169 or higher
14/23 – Had won a race over fences at Kempton before
12/23 – Won last time out
11/23 – Winning favourites
11/23 – Aged 6 or 7 years-old
11/23 – Trained by Paul Nicholls (13 times in all)
10/23– Ran in the Betfair Chase (Haydock) last time out
8/23 – Won by a previous winner of the race
4/23 – Won by an Irish-based yard (only 6 in the last 39 runnings)
7 of the last 11 winners aged 8
8 of the last 9 winners aged 7 or 8
Paul Nicholls, the Tizzard yard and Nicky Henderson have trained 16 of the last 19 winners between them (11 Nicholls, 2 Tizzard, 3 Henderson)
Trainer Willie Mullins has only won the race twice (2021 Tornado Flyer and 2001 Florida Pearl)
The average winning SP in the last 23 years is 6/1

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