Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man triumphs at King George VI Chase
Harry Redknapp experienced a memorable Boxing Day as his horse The Jukebox Man clinched victory in a thrilling finish at the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-year-old, sent off at 7-1, secured a narrow win over last year’s champion Banbridge and 9-4 joint-favourite Gaelic Warrior in a dramatic three-way photo finish at Kempton Park.
There was an agonising wait for the 78-year-old former Tottenham and West Ham manager as the outcome was decided after all three horses crossed the line nearly inseparable following the three-mile race.
Ben Pauling’s charge tracked the front-running Il Est Francais for much of the race, with jockey Ben Jones making a decisive move as they approached the final bend.
Even as they straightened up for home, the race remained competitive, with four runners still in contention. The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, Jango Baie, and defending champion Banbridge all jumped the last fence with the possibility of winning.
Despite temporarily dropping to third at the final obstacle, Jones urged his mount back between rivals, demonstrating remarkable determination to secure the win. The victory yielded £142,375 for Redknapp, who was visibly shaking when he spoke to ITV Racing after the result was confirmed.
“It is a dream, to have a horse that good is unbelievable,” he stated. “I love the game that much. To come here on King George day and just run made me so proud, but to have the winner is special.”
Redknapp expressed gratitude, saying, “I am so lucky. It is right up there. I love the racing and the game, the people in it, and to have a winner on the big stage is fantastic.” He admitted he feared the worst during the closing stages, thinking The Jukebox Man might finish fourth.
After the race, he noted, “When they came to him, I thought he was beat and would finish fourth.” The celebrations that followed were chaotic, with Redknapp admitting he was uncertain of the result until the jubilant crowd surrounded him. “Everyone was jumping on me at the end, and I didn’t know I had won,” he said.
Trainer Pauling called the victory “something very special,” referring to it as “a pretty good Christmas present.” The event not only showcased the high stakes of competitive horse racing but also highlighted how quickly fortunes can change within a matter of moments. For Redknapp, perhaps it’s a reminder that the racecourse can still evoke the kind of thrills that make the sport beloved.
