Most memorable King George VI Chase winners ever

The King George VI Chase is a Grade One National Hunt steeplechase held at Kempton Park Racecourse, traditionally taking place on the 26th December each year as part of the course's Christmas Festival.

It provides an opportunity to witness some of the greatest National Hunt horses currently in training in the UK, as they go head-to-head in this picturesque corner of Surrey.

It was first ran in 1937 and was named in honour of the newly crowned king. Since then, the three-mile, eighteen fence race has drawn some of the biggest names in British horse racing and is now widely regarded as the second most prestigious chase in England, surpassed only by the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself.

We take a look back through the archives at the most memorable King George VI Chase winners of all time.

5) Arkle - 1966

Regarded as the best ever steeplechaser with a Timeform rating of 212, the highest ever awarded, is Arkle.

Having raced just twice at Kempton Park, winning the King George VI Chase a year prior in 1965, Arkle was expected to follow up with a back-to-back victory in 1966.

Unfortunately, he was injured during the race which resulted in an unexpected defeat to Dormant. Miraculously, despite this injury, Arkle remained in the lead until the closing stages of the race. Disbelief filled Kempton Park as it only emerged after the race that Arkle had fractured the main bone of his off-fore hoof, a fact that could not quite be believed due to his strong performance throughout the entirety of the race.

After his defeat and subsequent injury, Arkle never raced again. Despite this, he left a great legacy on the 1966 King George VI Chase by creating one of the most memorable moments the course has ever seen since opening its gates in 1878.

4) Barton Bank - 1993

Barton Bank won arguably one of the most nail-biting King Georges in living memory, winning at the last and defeating Bradbury Star by a neck.

A horse that refused to be denied victory, winning jockey Adrian Maguire credited Barton Bank’s unbelievable fighting nature, as he held off both Bradbury Star and The Fellow on the straight to win the 1993 chase.

From a spectators’ point of view, Barton Bank’s win is widely credited as one of the best King Georges ever run, demonstrating that the belief in racing that horses can indeed ‘stick their necks out’ to be all but true.

3) Hewick - 2023

Hewick brought the perfect blend of shock and triumph to the 2023 King George VI Chase when he secured victory, despite being a relative outsider and looking beaten at the earlier stages of the race.

A horse that cost his owner T J McDonald a mere £800, he left winning jockey Gavin Sheehan gobsmacked when the nine-year-old gelding lived up to his stayer status, despite Sheehan’s initial instincts to pull up the horse.

There was total disbelief when the well-fancied Shishkin stumbled and unseated Nico De Boinville just after the second last.

This left Bravemansgame, ridden by Harry Cobden, looking well to take the win, yet ended up with a second place finish one-and-a-half lengths adrift of Hewick when he came roaring through strongly, resulting in a monumental last to first place finish.

2) Kauto Star - 2011

None can match the record of the brilliant Kauto Star, who is the King George VI Chase’s most successful winner having won the title a staggering five times between the years of 2006 and 2011.

Managing to surpass Desert Orchid's great achievement by going one better, it was initially thought that Paul Nicholls' superstar was going to have to settle for equal after being defeated by Long Run the following season.

However, he came back better than ever in 2011 with a telling victory just a few days before his 12th birthday, making him the second oldest horse to win the famed race after Southern Hero.

1) Desert Orchid - 1990

The popular grey virtually made the King George VI Chase his own, with victories in 1986 and from 1988 all the way to 1990.

His exuberant style of jumping made him a fan favourite within the racing community, where he produced a range of spell-binding performances throughout his career.

Most notable was his 1990 win, where his bold jumping left him in the lead after Sabin Du Loir fell at the sixth fence from finish.

David Elsworth's star then went on to win by a staggering 12 lengths from Toby Tobias, making it his fourth King George win and cementing his place in the history books as one of the most successful horses to have ever competed in the race.