🏇 Kempton Park Racecourse is the place to be for a two-day jump racing extravaganza courtesy of the 2026 Ladbrokes Christmas Festival.
Tickets will go on sale here in the new year.
Hospitality options will be available. 
Complete the short form here (also below 
) OR 📞 call +44 (0)7931 169180 for package/price info.
Boasting 12 top quality races over two days, including the famous ‘King George’, the Christmas Festival at Kempton Park is one of the highlights of the National Hunt season. It takes place on Saturday 26 December & Sunday 27 December at the historic racecourse in Surrey just 16 miles from central London.
DAY ONE – SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER
2026 PREVIEW
Day one is headlined by the race that underpins the entire festival – The King George VI Steeple Chase. The Grade 1 race first ran in 1937 and was named after the newly crowned king. It was won that year by Southern Hero who, to date, remains the oldest winner of the race at 12 years old.
The King George VI Chase race draws incredible talent as horses, jockeys and trainers compete to leave a permanent mark in racing history and claim one its most prestigious prizes. The race is synonymous with some of the most famous names in racing with Arkle, Pendil, Wayward Lad and Best Mate all taking their place on the roll of honour; not to mention equine legends Desert Orchid (and three-time winner of the race) and Kauto Star (a five-time winner) who each have a statue in their memory at the course.
2025 & 2024 KING GEORGE REVIEW
The 2025 edition of the King George VI Chase (watch it in full below) served up a race for the ages. The Jukebox Man coming out on top, by the narrowest of margins, in a thrilling finish which saw the first four horses separated by just a length. The Jukebox Man (at odds of 7/1) won on the nod from defending champion Banbridge. Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie (both at odds of 9/4) finished in third and fourth respectively. Earlier in the day, 4/7 favourite Sir Gino – trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville – was a comprehensive winner of the Christmas Hurdle.
In 2024 Banbridge swooped late to clinch a dramatic first place in the King George. Ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Joseph O’Brien, Banbridge roared past French raider and long-time leader Il Est Francais coming over the final fence to win by just shy of two lengths. Constitution Hill made a stunning return to racing – after a year out – to beat the highly-regarded Irish mare Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle. Entering the winner’s enclosure, Constitution Hill received an ovation reserved for the likes of Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, a tribute to the seven-year-old’s true brilliance.
2023 saw another King George classic. Hewick, expertly guided by jockey Gavin Sheehan, was in last place for large parts of the race. But the 12-1 chance came from a different postcode to snatch victory, stunning Bravemansgame (defending his 2022 King George title) and Allaho who were battling it out for the first prize of £142,000.
DAY TWO – SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
2026 PREVIEW
Day two is Desert Orchid Chase Day. Named after the charismatic grey who made Kempton Park his own, the day is packed full of quality racing. This includes the Mare’s Handicap Hurdle Race, the Wayward Lad Novices’ Steeple Chase and, the feature race of the day, the Desert Orchid Chase.
2025 & 2024 REVIEW
Irish raider Thistle Ask was an impressive winner of the 2025 Desert Orchid Chase at odds of 15/8. The eight-year-old, ridden by Harry Skelton and trained by Dan Skelton, went clear 3 out to see off his rivals with ease. Rising French star Mambonumberfive was the 85/40 winner of the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.
In 2024, Soul Icon, ridden by Harry Cobden, won the Desert Orchid Chase seeing off Edwardstone and defending champion Editeur Du Gite. Earlier in the day, the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase served up an England v Ireland showdown to savour. Coming out on top Sir Gino ridden by Nico de Boinville and trained by Nicky Henderson. Second was Ballyburn, trained by Willie Mullins with Paul Townend on board. 7 1/2 lengths was the margin of victory.
In 2023, the aforementioned Editeur Du Gite – trained by Gary Moore and ridden by Niall Houlihan – made it back-to-back wins in the Desert Orchid Chase.
TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL TIPS – CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL KEMPTON PARK
🎟️ Tickets are on sale via the ‘Get Tickets’ link.
Hospitality options are available. Complete the short form below (also below ) OR 📞 call +44 (0)7931 169180 for package/price info.
Day 1 ~ 26 December ~ King George VI Chase Day timings
🗝️ Gates open: 10.30am.
🕔🏇 First race: 12.45pm ~ King George VI Chase: 3.05pm ~ Last race: 3.40pm.
Day 2 ~ 27 December ~ Desert Orchid Chase Day timings
🗝️ Gates open: 11am.
🏇🕔 First race: 12.45pm ~ The Desert Orchid Chase: 2.30pm ~ Last race: 3.40pm.
Note: Timings are based on 2025 and subject to change.
🚊🚗 Travel tips: Kempton Park Racecourse is located just 16 miles from the city and 6 miles from Heathrow Airport. It is easily accessible by car. For the Christmas Festival you can book parking in advance on-site at the same time as purchasing a ticket.
There is also free parking in the centre of the course. This is accessible via Gate 6 on the A308 (Staines Road East). Note: course crossings close 30 minutes before racing starts and re-open 30 minutes after the last race. There is also a free Park & Ride service from the BP site on Cadbury Road. Use TW16 7LN for your Sat Nav. This is approximately ten minutes from the racecourse with buses running all morning and then re-commencing after the last race.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL KEMPTON PARK – MAKE A HOSPITALITY ENQUIRY
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CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL KEMPTON PARK – HOSPITALITY ENQUIRY ⤴️
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