King George Chase

Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh winning the 2008 King George VI Chase

The anticipation of Kauto Star’s attempt to win the 2009 King George Chase and make history has seen ticket sales for the Winter Festival at Kempton Park soar.

Kauto Star has won the last three runnings of the grade 1 King George VI Chase, and a fourth successive win would see the nine year old beat the record held by the legendary and much loved Desert Orchid.

The prospect of seeing one of horse racing’s superstars at Kempton Park, and potentially making history, has seen ticket sales for the two day William Hill Winter Festival up 5% compared to last year. The 400 seat Panoramic Restaurant has already sol out for both days of the festival.

Kempton Park’s managing director Amy Starkey said: “When Desert Orchid was in his heyday, the King George VI Chase was THE sporting event on Boxing Day. Kauto Star is matching the fabulous grey horse’s achievements, and we’re seeing the benefit with a surge in demand for tickets for the Winter Festival.”

“Since Kauto’s recent victory at Haydock Park, our telephones and our website have been red hot with inquiries and interest. The excitement is going to continue building, and I think we will see the nation – as it was in Dessie’s time – gripped by Kauto Star’s brilliance. We’ll have in excess 20,000 people here at the racecourse on Boxing Day – and a massive TV audience on Channel 4 as well.”

The William Hill Winter Festival takes place over two days, December 26 – 27, at Kempton Park. The King George VI Chase is the feature race of the festival and takes place on Boxing Day, December 26.