From King Of The Jungle To King Of Kempton
Harry Redknapp understands everything about sporting delights and spills on Boxing Day, but absolutely nothing might have prepared him for the drama of Kempton Park, where The Jukebox Man stepped into the Champions League and left the former Premier League manager holding the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase trophy up.
It was 12 months ago the apple of Redknapp and fitness instructor Ben Pauling's eye announced himself as a high-level entertainer with victory on this very afternoon, but now was his time to show he belonged amongst the elite.
Dispatched at 7-1 after returning from injury in style at Haydock last month, Redknapp likened the challenge of taking on the might of Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson in the Christmas masterpiece to his days in the dugout handling 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 was in outstanding form, shrugging off his oppositions in an efficiency that was motivated, unrelenting and entirely brilliant in equal measure. After an age-long wait on the judge to deliver the verdict by a nose, the previous 'King of the Jungle' from ITV's I'm a Star ... Get Me Out of Here! remained in no doubt where the minute ranked amongst his many sporting accomplishments.
He stated: "We had actually entered the Premier League with this horse which was great, but today we went Champions League and we were handling the top teams, the Real Madrid, the Barcelona and we showed we can compete with them and win, it's a fantastic feeling.
"This is right up there with my finest sporting achievements. Football has actually been my life and when you win a cup last for the fans it is an unbelievable feeling at a football club, but I love racing and I enjoy the video game and the individuals in it - to have a winner like this is just great.
"To have a horse that great is incredible. I enjoy the game but to come here on King George day and just run made me so proud - but 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 everybody was jumping on me at the end, but I didn't even know if I had won. Everyone else appeared so confident, however I wasn't sure. It was a dream when they called the winner. I got a big kiss from Sandra at the end also and she thinks I only have that horse."
It was in 2008 that the-then Portsmouth supervisor Redknapp hoisted the FA Cup aloft just a short drive around the M25 from Kempton at Wembley.
That Pompey squad maybe epitomized the 78-year-old's managerial career, but after The Jukebox Man was made 7-1 by a variety of companies for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the master of the transfer market appears to have worked his magic when again as his ₤ 70,000 purchase ignited more Cheltenham Festival dreams.
"What a race he has run and he's leapt unbelievable," said Redknapp. "When they concerned him I thought he was beat and would finish 4th, but he's returned and the guts the horse has actually shown is just incredible.
(centre) and group The Jukebox Man commemorate at Kempton (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA)
"Ben has been so bullish about this horse and I'm asking him about the opposition, however he's simply informing me he doesn't care and that they all had us to beat. Ben Jones said he desires more cut and more distance, possibly we get that in March?"
He went on: "I've had my finest days with Ben. He trained Shakem Up'arry to win for me at the Cheltenham Festival which was a dream and after that to come here today. He's been fortunate for me and it's fantastic truly. I do not think we've had a bad horse together."
Set against the backdrop of Kempton's much-publicised potential closure, it was a King George which served a suggestion of why the race's place on the Boxing Day calendar is essential for the sport.
A titanic four-way battle after the last left numerous explaining it as the best renewal of the Grade One function they have actually ever seen and on a day without any Premier League football in the afternoon, saw more than 17,000 yuletide revellers file 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, general supervisor at Kempton Park, said: "Today was a great example of whatever that is great about dive racing in Britain.
"I'm thrilled for Harry Redknapp and all those connected with Ben Pauling's group and The Jukebox Man and I'm likewise thrilled for the team here at Kempton Park.
"To have more than 17,000 people through the gates, consisting of sold-out hospitality and Premier and Paddock enclosures, is a great reward for all their difficult work and long days in the build-up to Christmas and on the day today.
"While there has been a lot of speculation about the future of this racecourse, our message to racegoers has constantly 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)."