From King Of The Jungle To King Of Kempton

Harry Redknapp knows all about sporting delights and spills on Boxing Day, however absolutely nothing could have prepared him for the drama of Kempton Park, where The Jukebox Man stepped into the Champions League and left the previous Premier League manager holding the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase prize aloft.


It was 12 months ago the apple of Redknapp and fitness instructor Ben Pauling's eye revealed himself as a high-level entertainer with success on this extremely afternoon, now was his time to show he belonged amongst the elite.


Sent at 7-1 after returning from injury in style at Haydock last month, Redknapp likened the obstacle of taking on the may of Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson in the Christmas masterpiece to his days in the dugout taking on some of Europe's finest.


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 signing remained in outstanding type, shrugging off his oppositions in a performance that was influenced, relentless and absolutely brilliant in equivalent measure. After an age-long await 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! in no doubt where the minute ranked among his many sporting accomplishments.


He stated: "We had got into the Premier League with this horse which was great, but today we went Champions League and we were handling the leading teams, the Real Madrid, the Barcelona and we showed we can take on them and win, it's a remarkable sensation.


"This is right up there with my best sporting achievements. Football has actually been my life and when you win a cup last for the fans it is an amazing sensation at a football club, however I love racing and I love the video game and the individuals in it - to have a winner like this is simply fantastic.


"To have a horse that excellent boggles the mind. I enjoy the video game but to come here on King George day and just run made me so proud - however to have the winner is unique.


Harry Redknapp with the King George VI Chase prize (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)


"I'm so fortunate and everyone was leaping on me at the end, however I didn't even know if I had actually won. Everyone else seemed so confident, however 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 believes I only have that horse."


It was in 2008 that the-then Portsmouth manager Redknapp raised the FA Cup aloft simply a short drive around the M25 from Kempton at Wembley.


That Pompey squad perhaps epitomized the 78-year-old's managerial career, 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 actually worked his magic as soon as again as his ₤ 70,000 purchase sparked more Cheltenham Festival dreams.


"What a race he has actually run and he's jumped unbelievable," said Redknapp. "When they pertained to him I thought he was beat and would finish 4th, but he's returned and the guts the horse has shown is simply amazing.


Harry Redknapp (centre) and team The Jukebox Man celebrate 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, but he's just telling me he does not care which they all had us to beat. Ben Jones stated he wants more cut and more distance, perhaps we get that in March?"


He went on: "I've 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 remarkable really. I don't believe we have actually had a bad horse together."


Set versus the background of Kempton's much-publicised possible closure, it was a King George which served a tip of why the race's place on the Boxing Day calendar is crucial for the sport.


A titanic four-way fight after the last left numerous describing it as the very best renewal of the Grade One function they have ever seen and on a day without any Premier League football in the afternoon, saw more than 17,000 yuletide revellers submit through the turnstiles.


The Jukebox Man was the star of a terrific day of racing at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)


Simon Durrant, basic supervisor at Kempton Park, stated: "Today was a wonderful example of everything that is terrific about jump racing in Britain.


"I'm thrilled for Harry Redknapp and all those linked with Ben Pauling's group and The Jukebox Man and I'm likewise delighted for the team here at Kempton Park.


"To have more than 17,000 people through evictions, including sold-out hospitality and Premier and Paddock enclosures, is a wonderful benefit for all their effort and long days in the build-up to Christmas and on the day today.


"While there has actually been a great deal of speculation about the future of this racecourse, our message to racegoers has always 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)."