
Saturday 12 February
Virgin Bet Kingmaker Chase Day
This raceday has now passed, click here view our upcoming racedays at Warwick Racecourse.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Taking place on Saturday 12 February 2022, The Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novice Chase Day is one of the highlights of the Jump season at Warwick Racecourse.
Not only is it a fantastic fixture in its own right, but it's also targeted by many top-quality horses as they attempt to secure a place in history at The Festival™ at Cheltenham and the Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Whoever the winners, you can be sure that even more victories await once they've got a win at Warwick under their belts.
In 2021, the race honours went to Allmankind trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton who then went on to win the Grade 2 Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree at the start of this season.
If you are yet to visit Warwick Racecourse, the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Chase Day is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about the horse racing industry with entertainment off the track including:
- RoR (Retraining of Racehorses) Parade which will take place in the Parade Ring from 12:25pm - 12:40pm. Horses that will be parading include Barbers Shop, Coneygree, Limato, Miko De Beauchene, Pineau De Re, Smad Place, Thomas Crapper and Un Temps Pour Tout.
- RoR Exhibition Vehicle
- Racing to School
- Roll a Ball Kentucky Derby
- Crossey's Corner - where retired jockey David Crosse will be showing you how to ride a racehorse by using an equisizer and more.
There will be live music from The Peas on the entrance to welcome racegoers.
RACE IN STYLE
Guarantee a memorable day out by matching superb sport with fabulous food and magnificent facilities at Warwick Racecourse for Kingmaker Novice Chase Day.
With excellent views of the racecourse and a lavish dining experience, the excitement of the day is easily accessed from your table.
It’s the perfect way to entertain clients, family or friends – a day you’ll never forget!
Correct as of 2021, information is subject to change.
GATES OPEN
11:00am
FIRST RACE
1:00pm
LAST RACE
4:30pm
Start Times |
Race |
Distance |
Type |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
13:00 | THE VIRGIN BET NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) | 2m 5f | Hurdle | |
13:35 | THE VIRGIN BET WARWICK MARES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (NHMOPS Bonus Race) (Listed Race) | 2m | Hurdle | ![]() |
14:05 | THE VIRGIN BET KINGMAKER NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) | 2m 54yds | Chase | ![]() |
14:40 | THE VIRGIN BET HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) | 2m 5f | Hurdle | |
15:15 | THE VIRGIN BET WARWICK CASTLE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) | 2m 4f | Chase | ![]() |
15:50 | THE VIRGIN BET FIVES HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) | 3m 2f | Hurdle | |
16:25 | THE VIRGIN BET INTERMEDIATE OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) | 2m | NH Flat |
THE MAKING OF THE KINGMAKER
The Grade 2 Kingmaker Novice Chase is the feature race and ran over two miles.
The race was first competed for in 1991 for horses aged five and older. Back in 1991, it was run in May over a distance of 2m 4½f, then moved to February from 1996. Since 1996, it's run over a distance of about 1m 7f 199yds with 12 fences jumped.
Why is it called the Kingmaker? The race is named after the 16th Earl of Warwick, who was known as the Kingmaker during the War of the Roses.
WATCH PREVIOUS RENEWALS
Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
|
1991 |
Anti Matter |
6 |
Peter Scudamore |
Martin Pipe |
|
1992 |
Milford Quay |
9 |
Peter Scudamore |
Martin Pipe |
|
1993 |
Flashthecash |
7 |
Adrian Maguire |
Toby Balding |
|
1994 |
Boscean Chieftain |
10 |
Richard Dunwoody |
Jackie Retter |
|
1995 |
Wasn't raced |
||||
1996 |
Arctic Kinsman |
8 |
Carl Llewellyn |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
1997 |
Mulligan |
7 |
Adrian Maguire |
David Nicholson |
|
1998 |
Lake Kariba |
7 |
Richard Johnson |
Paul Nicholls |
|
1999 |
Flagship Uberalles |
5 |
Robert Thornton |
Paul Nicholls |
|
2000 |
Cenkos |
6 |
Jimmy McCarthy |
Oliver Sherwood |
|
2001 |
Whitenzo |
5 |
Joe Tizzard |
Paul Nicholls |
|
2002 |
Armaturk |
5 |
Timmy Murphy |
Paul Nicholls |
|
2003 |
Abandoned due to frost |
||||
2004 |
Abandoned due to frost |
||||
2005 |
Kadount |
7 |
Robert Thornton |
Alan King |
|
2006 |
Voy Por Ustedes |
5 |
Robert Thornton |
Alan King |
|
2007 |
Ursis |
6 |
Dominic Elsworth |
Steve Gollings |
|
2008 |
Kruguyrova |
5 |
Jimmy McCarthy |
Charles Egerton |
|
2009 |
Gauvain |
7 |
Noel Fehily |
Charlie Mann |
|
2010 |
Long Run |
5 |
Sam Waley-Cohen |
Nicky Henderson |
|
2011 |
Finian's Rainbow |
8 |
Andrew Tinkler |
Nicky Henderson |
|
2012 |
Abandoned due to a frozen track |
|
|
||
2013 |
Majala |
7 |
Jason Maguire |
Tom George |
|
2014 |
Balder Succes |
6 |
Wayne Hutchinson |
Alan King |
|
2015 |
Vibrato Valtat |
6 |
Sam Twiston-Davies |
Paul Nicholls |
|
2016 |
Violet Dancer |
6 |
Jamie Moore |
Gary Moore |
|
2017 |
Flying Angel |
6 |
Willy Twiston-Davies |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
2018 |
Saint Calvados |
5 |
Aidan Coleman |
Harry Whittington |
|
2019 |
Glen Forsa |
7 |
Jonathan Burke |
Mick Channon |
|
2020 |
Rouge Vif |
6 |
Gavin Sheehan |
Harry Whittington |