For those that backed him, the Christmas expenses were paid off by Banbridge winning the 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton – the big Boxing Day festive race where ‘once-a-year’ punters join hardened horse racing fans to try and find the winner.
Banbridge Lands 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton For Joseph O’Brien
The French-trained Il Est Francais dominated most of the 2024 King George VI Chase on Boxing Day – making all the running and still turned for home with a commanding lead in the big Kempton feature.
However, the 9/2 shot with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK was rundown in the final furlong by the Joseph O’Brien-trained BANBRIDGE, who was winning the race for Ireland for the second year in-a-row after Hewick won 12 months ago.
Banbridge got his preferred quicker ground and despite the longer (3m) trip a slight unknown for the 8 year-old many horse racing fans still kept the faith – making him a fancied 7/1 chance in the market.
The horse had course winning form at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue too and when top Irish jockey Paul Townend was booked to ride just before Christmas – this was a further plus for his backers.
Townend always had Banbridge handy in the race – albeit 20 lengths off the big leader Il Est Francais – and even though there where some stamina questions to answer, this 8 year-old didn’t let his backers down to stay on best and run the finish out of the French raider from the Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm yard.
Banbridge Won £148,098 In King George Prize Money
By winning, Banbridge was giving O’Brien his first win in the race and also scooped £148,098.47 in King George VI Chase prize money for his owner Ronnie Bartlett.
While this win for jockey Paul Townend made up for the disappointment of coming second on Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle earlier on the Kempton Park card.
Spillane’s Tower was sent off the 11/4 King George favourite with the best betting sites in the UK – but could only manage fifth.
Banbridge was shortended into 16/1 shot in the market for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
WATCH: Banbridge Winning The 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton
👑 Banbridge runs down Il Est Francais to win the King George VI Chase @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/rttGjECena
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024
Banbridge Career In Numbers
- Career Runs: 19
- Chase Runs: 10
- Chase Wins: 6
- Career Prize Money: £552,658.47
King George VI Chase Result 2024
- 1st: Banbridge 7/1
- 2nd: Il Est Francais 9/2
- 3rd: L’Homme Presse 14/1
- 4th: The Real Whacker 14/1
