Kempton Park’s Boxing Day showpiece delivered one of the finishes of the season as The Jukebox Man edged a pulsating renewal of the King George VI Chase, sealing the Kempton Park race result 26 December in front of a roaring holiday crowd. For owner Harry Redknapp, trainer Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones, it was a moment that blended nerve, precision and raw courage on racing’s grand winter stage.
The seven-year-old, a son of Ask, was never far from the action in the three-mile championship. Travelling strongly near the pace, he moved to the fore approaching the third-last fence, only to be challenged late by last year’s hero Banbridge. What followed was a heart-stopping run to the line, with The Jukebox Man rallying bravely after the final fence to prevail by the narrowest of margins, a nose separating the first three home as Gaelic Warrior charged through for third.
The dramatic conclusion unfolded before a crowd of 17,195, a significant rise on last year and a clear reflection of the race’s enduring pull. It was also a second Boxing Day Grade One triumph at Kempton Park for The Jukebox Man, following his novice success twelve months earlier, underlining his affinity with the right-handed track.
Redknapp, no stranger to high-pressure arenas from his long football career, struggled to hide his emotion afterwards. He spoke of pride simply to have a runner on the day, before praising the horse’s determination when seemingly beaten. The performance, he said, ranked alongside his finest sporting moments, a comparison that spoke volumes about the depth of feeling attached to the victory.
Trainer Ben Pauling described the race as a “proper ding-dong” and admitted the magnitude of the achievement would take time to sink in. He highlighted the importance of being bold from the outset, a plan executed to perfection by Jones, and paid tribute to the horse’s engine and heart. With careful management, Pauling suggested, the future promises further major targets later in the season.
Kempton Park Race Result 26 December: A Finish for the Ages
Jones, enjoying the biggest success of his career to date, credited the team effort behind the scenes and the patience shown with the horse’s development. He believed The Jukebox Man is still learning his trade, a thought that only adds intrigue to what may lie ahead.
In defeat, Banbridge lost little in running a huge race, jumping fluently and battling all the way to the line, while Gaelic Warrior once again advertised his stamina with a powerful late surge. Both camps acknowledged the quality of the contest, one that will be remembered as much for its closeness as for its class.
Beyond the result itself, the race served as a vivid reminder of Kempton Park’s ability to stage drama of the highest order on Boxing Day. For those in attendance, it was sport at its most compelling; for those watching on, a finish that demanded a second look.
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