From King Of The Jungle To King Of Kempton
Harry Redknapp understands all about sporting delights and spills on Boxing Day, but nothing could have prepared him for the drama of Kempton Park, where The Jukebox Man entered the Champions League and left the previous Premier League supervisor holding the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase trophy up.
It was 12 months ago the apple of Redknapp and fitness instructor Ben Pauling's eye announced himself as a top-level performer with success on this really afternoon, now was his time to prove he belonged among the elite.
Sent at 7-1 after returning from injury in style at Haydock last month, Redknapp compared the challenge of handling the may of Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson in the Christmas masterpiece to his days in the dugout taking on a few of Europe's best.
Harry Redknapp is mobbed after winning the King George VI with The Jukebox Man pic.twitter.com/oELRQtlpEa
- Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) December 26, 2025
Redknapp' star finalizing was in stellar kind, shrugging off his challengers in a performance that was inspired, relentless and entirely fantastic in equal measure. After an age-long wait for the judge to deliver the decision by a nose, the former 'King of the Jungle' from ITV's I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! was in no doubt where the moment ranked among his numerous sporting accomplishments.
He said: "We had got into the Premier League with this horse which was great, however today we went Champions League and we were taking on the leading groups, the Real Madrid, the Barcelona and we proved we can take on them and win, it's a remarkable feeling.
"This is right up there with my finest sporting achievements. Football has actually been my life and when you win a cup last for the fans it is an extraordinary feeling at a football club, but I love racing and I love the video game and the individuals in it - to have a winner like this is just fantastic.
"To have a horse that great is amazing. I enjoy the video game however to come here on King George day and simply run made me so proud - however 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 everybody was leaping on me at the end, however I didn't even understand if I had won. Everyone else appeared so confident, however I wasn't sure. It was a dream when they called the winner. I got a big kiss from Sandra at the end as well and she believes I only have that horse."
It was in 2008 that the-then Portsmouth supervisor Redknapp hoisted the FA Cup aloft just a short drive around the M25 from Kempton at Wembley.
That Pompey team maybe epitomized the 78-year-old's supervisory profession, however after The Jukebox Man was made 7-1 by a number of firms for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the master of the transfer market appears to have worked his magic as soon as again as his ₤ 70,000 purchase ignited more Cheltenham Festival dreams.
"What a race he has actually run and he's leapt amazing," said Redknapp. "When they came to him I thought he was beat and would complete fourth, however he's come once again and the guts the horse has actually revealed is simply incredible.
Harry Redknapp (centre) and group The Jukebox Man commemorate at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
"Ben has actually been so bullish about this horse and I'm asking him about the opposition, however he's simply telling me he does not care which they all had us to beat. Ben Jones said he desires more cut and more distance, maybe we get that in March?"
He went on: "I have actually had my best 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 lucky for me and it's amazing actually. I do not think we have actually had a bad horse together."
Set against the background of Kempton's much-publicised prospective closure, it was a King George which served a suggestion of why the race's location on the Boxing Day calendar is essential for the sport.
A battle after the last left lots of describing it as the very best renewal of the Grade One function they have actually ever seen and on a day with no Premier League football in the afternoon, saw more than 17,000 yuletide revellers file through the gates.
The Jukebox Man was the star of a great day of racing at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
Simon Durrant, basic supervisor at Kempton Park, said: "Today was a great example of whatever that is terrific about jump racing in Britain.
"I'm pleased for Harry Redknapp and all those gotten in touch with Ben Pauling's team and The Jukebox Man and I'm likewise happy for the group here at Kempton Park.
"To have more than 17,000 people through evictions, consisting of sold-out hospitality and Premier and Paddock enclosures, is a great reward for all their tough work and long days in the build-up to Christmas and on the day today.
"While there has been a great deal 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)."