Boxing Day sees the return of horse racing after the Christmas break with meetings up and down the country. Without a doubt the standout fixture comes from Sunbury-on Thames in Surrey as Kempton Park start begin two-day Christmas Festival.
There are a total of twelve races run at the meeting, six on each day. Amongst the twelve races are three Grade 1s and two Grade 2s but the feature race is one of the most important jump races of the entire year, the King George VI Chase.
The King George was first run in 1937 and is second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the list of the most prestigious National Hunt races. Over the years this has been won by household names such as Arkle, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
Friday 26th December 2025, King George VI Chase Day
Boxing Day opens with a 2m4½f before a trio of Grade 1 races, beginning wit the £100k Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. Kauto Star, who was trained by Paul Nicholls, won the King George a record five times between 2006 and 2011, with Ruby Walsh in the saddle for all five victories.
Next on the card is the 2m Christmas Hurdle worth £130k before the King George VI Chase itself which is run over 3m and has a prize pot of £250k. The day closes with a maiden hurdle over 2m and a handicap hurdle run over 2m5f.
- 12:45pm: Ladbrokes “Free Bet At Kempton” Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Class 3, 2m4½f, 4yo+, £25,000 - 1:20pm: Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
Grade 1, 3m, 4yo+, £100,000 - 1:55pm: Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
Grade 1, 2m, 4yo+, £130,000 - 2:30pm: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
Grade 1, 3m, 4yo+, £250,000 - 3:05pm: Ladbrokes “Bet£5 Get£30 Sign Up Offer” Maiden Hurdle
Class 2, 2m, 4yo+, £22,000 - 3:40pm: Ladbrokes “Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing” Handicap Hurdle
Class 3, 2m5f, 3yo+, £24,000
Saturday 27th December 2025, Desert Orchid Chase Day
The day after Boxing Day is known as Desert Orchid Chase Day and begins with an introductory juvenile hurdle over 2m before a 3m½f mares’ handicap hurdle. The Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is race three, a £75k race over 2m, named after the 1982, 1983 and 1985 King George winner.
The title race of the day is next, the £100k Desert Orchid Chase, which is a Grade 2 handicap also run over 2m. This race was first run in 2006 just one month following the passing of the four-time King George winning grey, Desert Orchid. The final two races of the day are a 3m handicap chase and a 2m handicap hurdle.
- 12:45pm: ‘Get Your Ladbrokes Free Kempton Bet’ ‘Introductory’ Juvenile Hurdle
Class 2, 2m, 3yo, £30,000 - 1:20pm: ‘Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30′ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Class 2, 3m½f, 4yo+, £30,000 - 1:55pm: Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase
Grade 2, 2m, 4yo+, £75,000 - 2:30pm: Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase
Grade 2, 2m, 4yo+, £100,000 - 3:07pm: Ladbrokes ‘Big Football Bet Builder Boosts’ Handicap Chase
Class 3, 3m, 4yo+, £50,000 - 3:37pm: Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded With Ladbucks’ Handicap Hurdle
Class 3, 2m, 3yo+, £22,000
