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Dessie a class apart

Steven Lynch December 26, 2014
Richard Dunwoody steers Desert Orchid over the jumps at Kempton © PA Photos
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When I was young I seem to remember Desert Orchid winning the Boxing Day race at Kempton almost every year! Has any horse won it more often? asked Michael Lorimer

The race you're talking about is the King George VI Chase, which started in 1937, the first full year of the new King's reign. It is usually run at Kempton Park on December 26. Desert Orchid won it four times, completing a hat-trick in 1988-89-90 after first winning in 1986.

That was a record at the time, but was overtaken in 2011 when Kauto Star won the King George for the fifth time - he also won each year from 2006 to 2009. Long Run, which interrupted Kauto Star's run in 2010, also won in 2012.

Wayward Lad won the race three times, ridden by three different jockeys: John Francome in 1982, Robert Earnshaw in 1983, and Graham Bradley in 1985. Bradley's autobiography, which chronicled an often controversial career, was called The Wayward Lad.

The other horses to win the race more than once are Halloween (1952-54), Mandarin (1957-59), Pendil (1972-73), Captain Christy (1973-74), Silver Buck (1979-80), The Fellow (1991-92), One Man (1995-96), See More Business (1997-99) and Kicking King (2004-05). Both One Man's victories actually came in 1996 - the race scheduled for December 1995 was postponed because of bad weather, and run at Sandown Park early in the new year. Kicking King's second victory was also at Sandown, as Kempton was closed for redevelopment work.

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Ask Steven features a number of experts, headed by Steven Lynch, who answer your questions across a variety of sports Ask Steven features a number of experts, headed by Steven Lynch, who answer your questions across a variety of sports

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