Project Description
So, it’s that time of the year again… the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival 2022 is here, taking place on December 26th and 27th – at Kempton Park Racecourse, in Surrey.
The two-day event will include some of the most thrilling jump races in the calendar, including the King George VI Chase and the Christmas Hurdle. So, the festival this year will feature 13 races with the addition of the prestigious Long Walk Hurdle from Ascot’s abandoned meeting last weekend, giving racegoers from across the country the opportunity to enjoy some spectacular action.
The event is the “jewel in the crown” for Kempton Park Racecourse. So, we want to give you an insight on some of the top races over the two days.
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
The highlight of the Christmas Festival, the King George VI Chase will take place on December 26th, Boxing Day, as the feature race of the day. But the famous race dates all the way back to 1937, named after the newly crowned King George VI. This is a Grade One Steeple Chase over a distance of three miles and open to horses over the age of four.
Historically attracting some of the best horses in training, it’s no surprise that no less than 15 horses have won the race more than once, with Kauto Star winning it an impressive five times!
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is another iconic race taking place on Boxing Day. The Grade One race was established in 1969, as a trial for the Champion Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival. In fact, five winners have gone on to victory in both races.
Nicky Henderson is the standout trainer for this race, as he notched up nine winners over the years. Tony McCoy is the leading jockey, with five wins under his belt.
Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
Formally the Feltham Novices’ Chase, the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase was renamed in 2013 in honour of Kauto Star. He was five-times winner of the King George VI Chase.
This Grade One race will take place on Boxing Day, over a distance of around three miles. And this is only open to novice chasers aged four years and older.
Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase
Monday will be just as thrilling as Boxing Day, and the Desert Orchid Chase is proof of that. In fact, the Grade two race will take place on December 27th, named after the legendary grey Desert Orchid, four-times winner of the King George VI Chase between 1986 & 1990.
The race was first run in 2006 and it takes place over a distance of about two miles. It is open to novices aged four years and older. Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer for this race with four wins. And Barry Geraghty is the winningmost jockey with three wins.
Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices Chase
The Wayward Lad Novices Chase is the other Grade Two chase taking place on Monday, 27th December. Named after three-times King George VI Chase winner, Wayward Lad, the race is run over a distance of about two miles. This is also open to novices aged four years and older.
Once again, Nicky Henderson is the standout trainer for this race with nine winners. And he is followed by Paul Nicholls with five wins.
Our Work at The Ladbrokes Christmas Festival 2022
RTA Publicity are proud to have worked once again on the venue branding for the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival for the headline sponsor who have been a client of RTA’s for over thirty years! In addition, as in previous years our teams have been working hard to design and install the racecourse signage and branding for the event.
So, here are some behind the scenes pictures our crew took on site:
