Christmas Kings: memories of the great and the good that triumphed on Boxing Day

1985: Wayward Lad regains his crown

Kempton has always had its specialists and, before Kauto and Dessie, there was Wayward Lad.

One of Michael Dickinson's famous five to dominate the finish of the 1983 Gold Cup and a gallant runner-up to Dawn Run in that immortal 1986 edition, Wayward Lad never quite seemed to last up the interminable Cheltenham Hill.

But the economy and speed of his jumping were two weapons that stood him in good stead around Kempton, where he snared back-to-back King Georges in 1982 and 1983.

Wayward Lad and Robert Earnshaw in full flight at Kempton in 1984. 12 months later it would be Graham Bradley onboard for a historic third King George successCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

By the winter of 1985 Dickinson had departed for Robert Sangster's Manton estate and his mother, Monica, was in charge at Harewood.

More alarmingly Wayward Lad – six days short of his 11th birthday – arrived at Kempton off the back of an unseat and two defeats, meaning he was allowed to go off an unconsidered 12-1 shot in a field of five.

On unusually heavy ground Graham Bradley stalked Burrough Hill Lad and Earls Brig before kicking his willing partner into overdrive rounding the home turn.

It was a race-winning move and Wayward Lad still had a neck in hand over Combs Ditch at the line, as he became the first horse to win this most coveted of prizes for a third time.

1990: Desert Orchid cruises to fourth King George title

The roar of the crowd as Dessie cleared the last to cap off an impeccable round of jumping is a moment in history that, no matter how many times you watch it, will always send goosebumps down the spine.

The magical grey cruised round Kempton and never for a second looked in doubt under Richard Dunwoody, striding clear of Toby Tobias to win by 12 lengths and notch his fourth King George title.

Desert Orchid, with jockey Richard Dunwoody

Coming into the race he had yet to win that season and finished fourth of five in his previous race at Sandown, albeit in a Tingle Creek over a mile shorter.

But once back at his beloved Kempton, the 11-year-old looked as good as ever. The 9-4 shot ran his rivals ragged with his trademark attacking style, so much so that only four of nine completed the three mile trip, with the following year's winner, The Fellow, 17 lengths behind in third.

Desert Orchid is one of the few horses in history to melt the hearts of racing lovers and non-lovers alike, and he was to retire after falling in the following year's King George, before living until the great age of 27.

2004: Kicking King rekindles Taaffe family affair

When Arkle Chase runner-up Kicking King had been stepped up to three miles for the first time at Down Royal in November, there were plenty who were ready to write him off as a non-stayer behind Beef Or Salmon.

Horseracing December 2004 at Kempton. Barry Geraghty and Kicking King win the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

But trainer Tom Taaffe had always believed he might be harbouring a Gold Cup horse and, following a thumping success over two and a half miles in the John Durkan, sent his stable star to take on the best of British.

Barry Geraghty took no prisoners on the second circuit and in one of the most brutal displays of galloping and jumping seen at Kempton, he had speedy rivals like Azertyuiop and First Gold strung out like washing before almost throwing the race away at the last.

Three months later he would triumph at Cheltenham and would keep his King George crown at Sandown in 2005, while Taaffe was able to add to three family successes in the race, following his father Pat's two wins as a trainer with Captain Christy, as well as a jockey aboard the one and only Arkle.

2009: Kauto Star demolishes top-class rivals

Kempton will always be synonymous with Paul Nicholls' brilliant chaser and his fourth triumph in the race was arguably one of the best performances ever put up by a chaser.

Coming into the race having seen off Imperial Commander by a nose in the Betfair Chase, Clive Smith's pride and joy was expected to follow up and was duly sent off the 8-13 favourite. This was in a high-quality field that included Ryanair winner Old Vic, rising star Albertas Run and the Queen's Barbers Shop.

Ruby Walsh and Kauto Star after their signature performance in the 2009 King George VI ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jumping superbly under Ruby Walsh throughout, Kauto Star closed with ominous ease on the gallant grey Nacarat before sweeping clear of the field in imperious fashion up the home straight. The winning margin was a quite imperious 36 lengths.

The brilliant bay rewrote what was possible in a chaser that day.

2011: History for King Kauto

Arguably multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls' greatest moment on a racecourse and one many savoured.

The immortal chaser had already rolled back the years and defied the critics to eclipse the previous season's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run in Haydock's Betfair Chase and confirmed that form with a sublime display.

Kauto Star beats Long Run in the 2011 King George VI ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Sent off a 3-1 chance under regular rider and vice-president of his fan club Ruby Walsh, the awesome gelding jumped impeccably from a prominent position and stepped on the gas two-thirds from home.

Kempton began to tremble as history beckoned – the equally legendary Desert Orchid had won four King Georges too – and Kauto Star sealed his place in the record books with a fifth crown, being driven out by Walsh to complete a gutsy length-and-a-quarter verdict from old rival Long Run, who was five years his junior.

The heartwarming triumph was redemption from a shock reverse in the race the campaign before and added further lustre to the horse of Nicholls' lifetime.

2015: Cue Card wins at fourth attempt

After Colin Tizzard’s stable star Cue Card endured a winless 2014-15 season, dropping 12lbs in the process, it looked as though the former Champion Bumper winner was merely a shadow of his previous self.

But four years ago, at the fourth time of asking, the rejuvenated Cue Card produced one of the most memorable staying finishes in recent times to head Vautour at the post and remain in the hunt for the £1 million Staying Chase Triple Crown (Betfair Chase, King George VI, Gold Cup).

Sadly, he wouldn’t go on to win the prize, as Don Cossack, the 15-8 favourite who fell two from home in the King George, went full cycle to fly home in the Gold Cup after Cue Card had fallen three out.

In a race that produced tremendous collateral form, the runner-up Valtour, who looked like he had the contest wrapped up after leading over the last fence, subsequently stepped down in trip and cruised to victory in the Ryanair Chase.

Vautour (left) finshes second to Cue Card (right) in the 2015 King George VI ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cue Card would go on to win another three races, the last coming in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase as an 11-year-old, before being retired in 2018.

A slight dampener from this remarkable day in sporting history came after the race, when Cue Card’s jockey, Paddy Brennan, was banned for 11 days and fined £4,200, for hitting the winner with the whip at least 15 times.

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