From King Of The Jungle To King Of Kempton
Harry Redknapp understands everything about sporting thrills and spills on Boxing Day, however nothing might have prepared him for the drama of Kempton Park, where The Jukebox Man stepped into the Champions League and left the former Premier League supervisor holding the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase prize aloft.
It was 12 months ago the apple of Redknapp and trainer Ben Pauling's eye announced himself as a high-level entertainer with success on this extremely afternoon, now was his time to prove he belonged amongst the elite.
Dispatched at 7-1 after returning from injury in style at Haydock last month, Redknapp compared the obstacle of taking on the may of Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson in the Christmas showpiece to his days in the dugout taking on some of Europe's best.
Harry Redknapp is mobbed after winning the King George VI with The Man pic.twitter.com/oELRQtlpEa
- Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) December 26, 2025
Redknapp' star finalizing was in outstanding kind, shrugging off his oppositions in an efficiency that was motivated, relentless and utterly fantastic in equivalent procedure. After an age-long await the judge to deliver the decision by a nose, the previous 'King of the Jungle' from ITV's I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! was in no doubt where the moment ranked amongst his many sporting achievements.
He stated: "We had actually entered into the Premier League with this horse which was wonderful, however today we went Champions League and we were handling the top groups, the Real Madrid, the Barcelona and we showed we can take on them and win, it's an incredible feeling.
"This is right up there with my best sporting accomplishments. Football has been my life and when you win a cup last for the fans it is an amazing sensation at a football club, however I like racing and I like the game and individuals in it - to have a winner like this is just wonderful.
"To have a horse that good boggles the mind. I enjoy the video game however to come here on King George day and just run made me so proud - but to have the winner is unique.
Harry Redknapp with the King George VI Chase trophy (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
"I'm so fortunate and everyone was jumping on me at the end, however I didn't even know if I had won. Everyone else appeared so confident, but I wasn't sure. It was a dream when they called the winner. I got a huge kiss from Sandra at the end also and she thinks I just have that horse."
It was in 2008 that the-then Portsmouth manager Redknapp hoisted the FA Cup up just a short drive around the M25 from Kempton at Wembley.
That Pompey team possibly represented the 78-year-old's supervisory profession, however after The Jukebox Man was made 7-1 by a number of companies for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the master of the transfer market appears to have actually worked his magic once again as his ₤ 70,000 purchase fired up more Cheltenham Festival dreams.
"What a race he has run and he's leapt astounding," stated Redknapp. "When they pertained to him I thought he was beat and would end up fourth, however he's returned and the guts the horse has revealed is simply fantastic.
Harry Redknapp (centre) and group The Jukebox Man commemorate at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
"Ben has been so bullish about this horse and I'm asking him about the opposition, but he's simply telling me he doesn't care which they all had us to beat. Ben Jones said he wants more cut and more distance, maybe we get that in March?"
He went on: "I have actually had my finest days with Ben. He trained Shakem Up'arry to win for me at the Cheltenham Festival which was a dream and then to come here today. He's been fortunate for me and it's amazing really. I don't think we've had a bad horse together."
Set against the backdrop of Kempton's much-publicised potential closure, it was a King George which served a reminder of why the race's put on the Boxing Day calendar is imperative for the sport.
A titanic four-way battle after the last left many explaining it as the very best renewal of the Grade One function they have ever seen and on a day with no Premier League football in the afternoon, saw more than 17,000 yuletide revellers file through the turnstiles.
The Jukebox Man was the star of a fantastic day of racing at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
Simon Durrant, general manager at Kempton Park, stated: "Today was a wonderful example of whatever that is great about jump racing in Britain.
"I'm pleased for Harry Redknapp and all those connected with Ben Pauling's group and The Jukebox Man and I'm likewise happy for the team here at Kempton Park.
"To have more than 17,000 people through the gates, consisting of sold-out hospitality and Premier and Paddock enclosures, is a fantastic benefit for all their difficult work and long days in the accumulation to Christmas and on the day today.
"While there has been a lot of speculation about the future of this racecourse, our message to racegoers has actually constantly been that our focus continues to be on hosting racing here, both for next year and into the future, and tickets for next year's Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park go on sale on Monday (December 29th December)."