The leading National Hunt trainers in horse racing are putting the final preparations in for the 2024/25 Jumps season. The campaign officially began back in May, however, most trainers and horses sit out the summer months and make their first appearance in late September.
Last season Willie Mullins produced an incredible feat by landing both the British and Irish Trainers’ Championships. He will be bidding to defend his crowns this season, and he is likely to be seen at many of the racecourses in and around London, including Kempton Park and Sandown Park.
Popularity Of Jump Racing Increasing All the Time
The popularity of Jump Racing in the UK continues to increase. There are now virtual Jumps races for horse racing fans to watch when there aren’t meetings taking place. You can finish the latest virtual horse racing results right now, along with the list of upcoming races.
Just outside of London, the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day is the biggest race of the season. Further afield, the Irish Grand National 2024 and Aintree Grand National 2024 are races many racing fans will be looking forward to in the latest campaign. Those two marathon contests were won by Intense Raffles and I Am Maximus respectively in 2023.
The leading jockeys and trainers have recently been in the spotlight thanks to the ITV prime time Friday night programme, Champions: Full Gallop. This fly-on-the-wall documentary has gone behind the scenes to showcase Jumps racing and how much work goes into preparing horses for the biggest races of the year.
King George VI Chase Could Be Strongest Renewal for Many Years
This year’s King George VI Chase is set to be one of the strongest renewals of this race this side of the century. French star horse Il Est Francais is likely to make the trip across the channel to the Surrey-based racecourse. He was successful in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at the meeting 12 months ago.
Mullins is also expected to have a strong hand in the Boxing Day feature. Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs are all in contention to run against the best British and Irish 3m chasers at Kempton. The Irishman has won the race twice, with success coming in 2001 with Florida Pearl and more recently Tornado Flyer in 2021.
British trainer Paul Nicholls holds the record for the most wins in the King George VI Chase. He extended his record to 13 victories in 2022 when Bravemansgame came out on top in the Grade One contest. The former Champion Trainer is expected to saddle Bravesmangame and Stage Star this year. Those two horses will both go into the race with strong claims.
Season To Conclude at Sandown Again
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed that Sandown will once again play host to the final meeting of the season in the 2024/25 campaign. The season finale meeting attracts a huge crowd, with many horse racing fans making the 20-mile journey from London.
This season’s British Champion Trainer and British Champion Jockey winners will both receive their trophies at Sandown on the 26th of April, with the feature race on the card being the Grade One Celebration Chase.
