The Festive Roar: An Exhaustive Review of the 2025 UK & Irish Winter Racing Festival

30th Dec 2025

Introduction: The Winter Game’s Defining Week

The period between Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is the heartbeat of the National Hunt season. It is a time when the sport transcends its boundaries, capturing the imagination of the wider public while simultaneously providing the purist with the most rigorous examination of championship credentials prior to the spring festivals. The 2025 renewal of this festive feast was nothing short of extraordinary—a week characterized by the shattering of reputations, the resurrection of veterans, and the emergence of a new vanguard of equine talent across the British Isles.

From the fog-laden drama of Chepstow to the sun-dappled turf of Leopardstown, and from the electric atmosphere of Kempton Park to the heavy ground of Limerick, the narrative of the season was rewritten. We witnessed Harry Redknapp, a man synonymous with football management, achieve a “Champions League” moment on the turf. We saw the established order of the Gold Cup division thrown into chaos in South Dublin. We watched as Welsh racing celebrated a historic home victory in their national race , and we observed the Willie Mullins machine continuing its relentless march, albeit with a few notable spanners thrown in the works by his rivals.

This report provides a comprehensive, race-by-race analysis of the key events, dissecting the performances, the statistics, and the implications for the future. It explores the stories behind the victories—the breeding, the training feats, and the tactical masterclasses—while offering a nuanced perspective on what these results mean for the road to Cheltenham and Aintree.

Part I: Boxing Day – The King George VI Chase and Kempton’s Crowning Glory

1. The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase: A Manager’s Dream

The King George VI Chase, run over three miles at Kempton Park, is the mid-season championship for staying chasers. It requires a unique set of attributes: the speed to lie handy on a sharp track, the agility to negotiate 18 fences at pace, and the stamina to see out the trip when the accelerator is pressed from four out. The 2025 renewal was a contest rich in intrigue, featuring a blend of French flair, Irish dominance, and British hope.

The Protagonists and Pre-Race Narrative

The market was dominated by the Irish raider Gaelic Warrior, trained by Willie Mullins. A horse of immense talent but occasional eccentricity (often adjusting right at his fences), he arrived as the 9/4 joint-favourite. His presence alone ensured a frenetic pace. Opposing him was Il Est Francais, the French superstar seeking redemption after a mixed campaign, and Banbridge, a horse who thrives on Kempton’s good ground.

However, the romantic narrative belonged to The Jukebox Man. Owned by Harry Redknapp, the former Premier League manager, and trained by the rising star Ben Pauling, the gelding was a 7/1 shot. Redknapp, whose grandmother was an illegal bookie’s runner in London’s East End, had long dreamed of having a runner in this prestigious race, let alone a winner.

The Race: Tactics and Turn of Foot

The race unfolded at a relentless tempo, typical of the King George. The Jukebox Man, ridden by Ben Jones, was positioned prominently throughout. Jones, riding with a maturity that belied the pressure of the occasion, ensured his mount was never far from the pace, utilising the horse’s high cruising speed—a trait inherited from his sire, Doyen.

As they turned for home, the race began to fragment. Il Est Francais capitulated surprisingly early, fading out of contention, while Gaelic Warrior loomed large, travelling with menace. However, it was The Jukebox Man who found the most when the pressure intensified. He attacked the final fences with ferocity.

Behind him, Banbridge and Sean Bowen were closing. Banbridge, held up in the rear early on, made significant headway from four out, moving into second place three from home. The final furlong was a test of resolve. The Jukebox Man, despite being in front for a long way, dug deep into his reserves. He produced a spectacular leap at the last and kept on strongly to deny the surging Banbridge by 1¾ lengths.

The Aftermath: “Champions League” Level

The scenes in the winner’s enclosure were jubilant. Harry Redknapp, a man who has won the FA Cup, declared this victory “right up there with my best achievements,” likening it to reaching the Champions League of horse racing. For trainer Ben Pauling, it was a career-defining moment, proving his yard can compete with the superpowers of the sport.

The victory also netted a substantial payday of £148,098 for the winner , but the emotional value was incalculable. “It is a dream to have a horse that good,” Redknapp told ITV Racing. “I thought he was beat and was going to finish fourth. The guts he has shown…”.

Statistical & Breeding Analysis

Pedigree Notes: The winner, The Jukebox Man, is by Doyen out of Old Carton Lass. Interestingly, the runner-up, Banbridge, is also by Doyen. This highlights the stallion’s influence in producing sound, durable chasers capable of maintaining a high gallop over intermediate to staying trips.
Ratings: The Racing Post Rating (RPR) for the winner was 172, with Banbridge achieving a 171. This puts the form right up there with an average King George, though perhaps not a vintage one in terms of depth, given the underperformance of Il Est Francais.

Position	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	SP	Notes
1st	The Jukebox Man	Ben Jones	Ben Pauling	7/1	Always prominent, stayed on best
2nd	Banbridge	Sean Bowen	Joseph O’Brien	16/1	Good headway from rear, kept on
3rd	Gaelic Warrior	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins	9/4 Jt Fav	Loomed up, one paced late on
4th	Jango Baaie	Nico Boinville	Nicky Henderson	11/4 Fav	Hampered 1st, late headway

2. The Christmas Hurdle: The Return of Sir Gino

If the King George was a battle of stamina, the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle was a demonstration of speed and class. The race marked the return of Sir Gino, Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten juvenile from the previous season who had missed the spring festivals.

The Performance

Ridden by Nico de Boinville, Sir Gino (4/7 Fav) faced a credible rival in Golden Ace (5/1). However, the contest was effectively over the moment de Boinville asked for an effort. Sir Gino displayed a terrifying turn of foot, slick hurdling, and a professional demeanour that suggests he is the real deal for the Champion Hurdle.

Implications: With doubts surfacing later in the week regarding State Man’s fitness (discussed in Part VII), Sir Gino’s effortless victory saw him catapulted to the head of the ante-post markets for Cheltenham. Henderson, often cautious, could not hide his relief and excitement at having another genuine superstar in the yard.

3. The Kauto Star Novices’ Chase: Kitzbuhel’s Exhibition

The Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase often unearths a future Gold Cup contender, and in Kitzbuhel, Willie Mullins appears to have found another gem.

A Front-Running Masterclass

Paul Townend adopted a positive strategy from flag-fall. Kitzbuhel attacked his fences with a relish that broke the hearts of his rivals. “He took on the first really well and then from there I just let him dictate,” Townend explained. The horse’s jumping was described as “mesmerising,” particularly at the open ditch where he gained lengths in the air.

He won comfortably as the 13/8 favourite, with Thomas Mor (12/1) trailing in his wake and Wendigo (5/2) back in third. This performance immediately shortened his odds for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, although his high cruising speed suggests he could be equally effective over shorter trips if required.

Part II: The Welsh Grand National – Chepstow’s Dragon Roars (Dec 27)

While Kempton provided the glitz, Chepstow provided the grit. The Coral Welsh Grand National is a race steeped in history, a 3-mile 6-furlong marathon run in invariably testing conditions. The 2025 renewal will be remembered for a weight-carrying performance that defied the laws of modern handicapping.

1. Haiti Couleurs: A History-Making Run

The headline act was Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis in Pembrokeshire. Carrying top weight of 11st 13lb, the grey faced a task that had thwarted many greats. Not since the days of Carvill’s Hill or Native River had a horse carried such a burden to victory in this race.

The “Home Win”

The race was a triumph for Welsh racing. Ridden by the Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen, Haiti Couleurs was sent to the front early—a brave tactic with nearly four miles to travel. Bowen, looking to make amends for his narrow defeat on Banbridge the previous day, rode with supreme confidence.

The horse jumped rhythmically and ground the opposition into the mud. Turning for home, challengers attempted to close, notably O’Connell, but Haiti Couleurs was relentless. He stayed on powerfully to win by three lengths.

Emotional Scenes

The victory sparked wild celebrations at Chepstow, which recorded its highest attendance since 2016 (9,425 spectators). “When you hear the roar of a Chepstow crowd, cheering home a Welsh rider like Sean Bowen, there is no better sound in Welsh sport,” remarked the racecourse general manager. For Rebecca Curtis, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition to win her home National, adding to her previous successes in the Scottish and Irish equivalents.

Insight: This performance elevates Haiti Couleurs from a high-class handicapper to a genuine Gold Cup contender. The ability to give weight and a beating to a competitive field over extreme distances is the hallmark of a champion stayer.

2. The Undercard at Chepstow

The supporting card at Chepstow also provided drama. Val Dancer, ridden by Charlie Hammond, won a grueling contest earlier in the day, battling through the “challenging foggy conditions” to deny the 2021 winner Iwilldoit. The visibility was so poor that commentators and fans alike struggled to see the runners until they emerged from the gloom in the home straight.

Part III: Leopardstown Day 1 – The Return of the Grade 1 (Stephen’s Day)

Across the Irish Sea, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival began with a bang, welcoming a crowd of over 70,000 across the four days.

1. The Racing Post Novice Chase: A Duel in the Sun

The reinstatement of the Racing Post Novice Chase to Grade 1 status was justified by a thrilling duel. The race, traditionally an Arkle trial, featured the Gordon Elliott-trained Romeo Coolio against the underdog Irish Panther from the Eddie & Patrick Harty yard.

Romeo Coolio (4/7 Fav) was expected to win easily, but Irish Panther (12/1) had other ideas. The outsider travelled smoothly and looked the likely winner approaching the last, leading by a length. However, Romeo Coolio showed grim determination, rallying on the run-in to snatch victory by half a length.

Analysis: While Romeo Coolio got the verdict, the moral victory arguably lay with the runner-up. Trainer Eddie Harty lamented the distance, suggesting that “If it was two miles [instead of 2m 1f], I think he would have won”. This has set up a fascinating sub-plot for Cheltenham, with Harty considering skipping the Dublin Racing Festival to go straight to the Arkle, hoping the stiffer test there might actually suit his horse’s high cruising speed, or conversely, that the shorter trip helps.

2. Undercard Highlights

Maiden Hurdles: The festival opener saw Ballyfad, a €175,000 purchase for Gigginstown, making his debut in the 12:05 Maiden Hurdle.
Beginners Chase: In the 2m1f Beginners Chase, Kargese (Willie Mullins) was effortless. The mare, a former Triumph Hurdle contender, jumped impeccably to win by 14 lengths, prompting Mullins to eye bigger targets in the spring.

Part IV: Leopardstown Day 2 – The Miracle that Wasn’t (Dec 27)

Day 2 was defined by the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase, a race that provided the most heart-stopping moment of the week.

1. Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase: Solness vs. Marine Nationale

The race was billed as a showcase for Marine Nationale, the unbeaten chaser looking to stamp his authority on the Champion Chase division. However, disaster struck mid-race when he made a “dreadful blunder”. It was a mistake that should have ended his race, but jockey Sean Flanagan produced a miraculous recovery to stay in the saddle.

Meanwhile, up front, Solness (8/1) was being given a masterful ride by Sam Ewing, who was deputising for the injured JJ Slevin. Solness dictated the tempo and jumped boldly.

In the home straight, the recovered Marine Nationale surged back into contention, closing rapidly. The crowd roared as the two locked horns, but Solness found plenty under pressure to hold on by half a length.

The Verdict: Solness is a specialist at Leopardstown, and this back-to-back victory in the race proves his class. However, the run of Marine Nationale was arguably superior in defeat. To lose so much ground and momentum and still nearly win suggests his engine is intact, though his jumping remains a fragile point under pressure.

2. Future Champions Novice Hurdle

The Grade 1 novice hurdle went to Skylight Hustle (Gordon Elliott), continuing a red-letter day for Sam Ewing. The race was marred slightly by the fall of a key rival, Koktail Brut, but Skylight Hustle’s performance confirmed him as a leading contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Part V: Leopardstown Day 3 – The Savills Chase Shock (Dec 28)

The third day of the festival, featuring the Savills Chase, is often the pivotal point for the Gold Cup market. This year, it blew the division wide open.

1. The Savills Chase: Affordale Fury Rises

Galopin Des Champs, the dual Gold Cup winner, was the 6/5 favourite. He was expected to win. He didn’t. As they turned for home, the champion looked flat. He could not quicken and eventually finished a one-paced third.

The race was seized by Affordale Fury (7/1). Trained by Noel Meade and ridden by the ubiquitous Sam Ewing, the seven-year-old stayed on dourly to beat the 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus by 2½ lengths.

Context: This was a massive result for Noel Meade, his first Grade 1 success since 2021. Affordale Fury, second in the Albert Bartlett as a novice hurdler, had missed a season due to injury, making this comeback all the more poignant. “He worked the sight out of your eyes the other day,” Meade revealed post-race.

Gold Cup Implications: The bookmakers reacted instantly. Galopin Des Champs was pushed out to 7/1, while Affordale Fury was cut to 10/1. The aura of invincibility around Galopin has vanished, suggesting the Gold Cup is now a wide-open contest.

2. The Christmas Hurdle: Teahupoo’s Dominance

In the staying hurdle division, Teahupoo (5/2) reaffirmed his status as the world’s best stayer. Ridden by Jack Kennedy, he travelled powerfully and won by 7 lengths from the veteran Bob Olinger. The disappointment was Ballyburn (13/8 Fav), who finished third and never looked comfortable stepping up to three miles.

Insight: Ballyburn’s failure to stay or settle raises serious questions about his target. He may need to drop back in trip, whereas Teahupoo looks a banker for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Part VI: Limerick – The Faugheen Novice Chase (Dec 28)

While Leopardstown grabbed the headlines, Limerick hosted a significant Grade 1 of its own.

1. Final Demand: A Star is Born

The Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase saw Final Demand (1/3 Fav) produce a flawless round of jumping for Willie and Patrick Mullins. In a race where his stablemate Jimmy Du Seuil disappointed, Final Demand was described as “riding like an armchair”.

Winning by 8 lengths, he cemented his position as the favourite for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. “I think in a more competitive race he’ll travel better,” noted Patrick Mullins, ominously for his rivals.

2. Limerick Undercard

Maiden Hunters Chase: Gordon Elliott’s Last Round landed a gamble to open his account under rules, asserting readily from his rivals.
Prestige Tarmacadam Flat Race: The meeting concluded with a competitive bumper won by Never Late, who just got the better of Think It Through in a driving finish.

Part VII: The Finale – Leopardstown & Newbury (Dec 29)

The final day of the festive period saw action across both sides of the Irish Sea, clarifying the picture for the Champion Hurdle and the novice divisions.

1. The Matheson Hurdle (Leopardstown): Lossiemouth Reigns

With State Man ruled out due to an injury setback , the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle became a clash of the mares: Lossiemouth vs. Brighterdaysahead.

Brighterdaysahead (Gordon Elliott) had won the race by 30 lengths the previous year but was returning from a break. She ran a gallant race, but ultimately could not match the turn of foot of Lossiemouth (Willie Mullins). Lossiemouth, ridden by Paul Townend, quickened smartly to win by a length, securing her ninth Grade 1 victory.

Insight: Willie Mullins described Lossiemouth as “becoming a legend in her own right”. With State Man’s fitness in doubt and Constitution Hill absent, Lossiemouth is now arguably the one to beat in the Champion Hurdle, although a rematch with Brighterdaysahead at the Dublin Racing Festival is likely.

2. The Challow Hurdle (Newbury): No Drama for Nicholls

At Newbury, Paul Nicholls secured a vital Grade 1 in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle with No Drama This End. Ridden by Harry Cobden, the horse dictated terms and won by 1¼ lengths from Klimt Madrik.

“We are going to go mad tonight!” exclaimed owner Max McNeill, celebrating his first Grade 1 win since 2019. The winner looks a proper staying prospect for the Albert Bartlett.

3. Leopardstown Undercard Highlights (Dec 29)

Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle: This highly competitive 2m4f handicap was won by Champagne Kid, trained by Pat Collins and ridden by 7lb claimer Eoghan Finegan. It was a shrewd training performance for a smaller yard.
Mares Hurdle (Grade 3): Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh took her record to nine wins from 14 starts, grinding out a victory that sets her up for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Bumper: The festival concluded with Keep Him Company winning the bumper for Gordon Elliott, a horse described as “a real good one” who could be a future Gold Cup horse.

Part VIII: Conclusions & Future Implications

1. The Gold Cup Picture: Wide Open

The defeat of Galopin Des Champs has shattered the illusion of a one-horse race. The division now has depth:

Affordale Fury and Haiti Couleurs have emerged as genuine contenders from the handicap/novice ranks.
The Jukebox Man brings a rags-to-riches story and proven stamina.
I Am Maximus proved he can mix it in Grade 1 company outside of Aintree.

2. The Sam Ewing Factor

The breakout star of the week was undoubtedly jockey Sam Ewing. Stepping in for injured colleagues, he rode with ice-cool composure to win two Grade 1s (Solness, Affordale Fury) and a host of other winners. He has firmly established himself as a top-tier rider in the weighing room.

3. The Mullins vs. Elliott Battle

While Willie Mullins had his successes (Lossiemouth, Kitzbuhel, Final Demand), Gordon Elliott had a phenomenal week, sending out 18 winners across the festival. His handling of Teahupoo and Romeo Coolio demonstrates his yard is firing on all cylinders.

4. Cheltenham Clues

Champion Hurdle: It is now a race between Sir Gino (imperious at Kempton) and Lossiemouth (gritty at Leopardstown), assuming State Man and Constitution Hill remain doubtful or below par.
Novice Chases: Final Demand and Kitzbuhel look the pick of the Mullins chasers, while Romeo Coolio has questions to answer regarding his optimal trip.

The 2025 Festive Festival will be remembered as the week the script was torn up. It was a week where the underdog barked, where Wales roared, and where the road to Cheltenham became not a procession, but a brawl.

Summary of Key Grade 1 Winners (Festive 2025)

Date	Race	Course	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Win SP
Dec 26	King George VI Chase	Kempton	The Jukebox Man	Ben Jones	Ben Pauling	7/1
Dec 26	Christmas Hurdle	Kempton	Sir Gino	N de Boinville	N Henderson	4/7
Dec 26	Kauto Star Nov Chase	Kempton	Kitzbuhel	Paul Townend	W P Mullins	13/8
Dec 26	Racing Post Nov Chase	Leopardstown	Romeo Coolio	Jack Kennedy	G Elliott	4/7
Dec 27	Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase	Leopardstown	Solness	Sam Ewing	J P O’Brien	8/1
Dec 27	Welsh Grand National	Chepstow	Haiti Couleurs	Sean Bowen	R Curtis	5/1
Dec 28	Savills Chase	Leopardstown	Affordale Fury	Sam Ewing	Noel Meade	7/1
Dec 28	Christmas Hurdle	Leopardstown	Teahupoo	Jack Kennedy	G Elliott	5/2
Dec 28	Faugheen Nov Chase	Limerick	Final Demand	P Mullins	W P Mullins	1/3
Dec 29	Matheson Hurdle	Leopardstown	Lossiemouth	Paul Townend	W P Mullins	4/6
Dec 29	Challow Novices’ Hurdle	Newbury	No Drama This End	Harry Cobden	P Nicholls	4/9

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