Horse Racing

Desert Orchid Chase

The Desert Orchid Chase is one of the youngest National Hunt Races on the United Kingdom's jump season calendar. It was inaugurated only in 2006, premiering on 27th December that year, and was established as a tribute to a true racing great: Desert Orchid.

Desert Orchid, also known as Dessie, was a true legend of the jump tracks, rated fifth best National Hunt Horse Of All Time by Timeform. Desert Orchid was foaled in 1979 and lived to incredibly old age, passing away on 13th November 2006. It was this outstanding gelding's death that spawned the invention of the Desert Orchid Chase. A little over a month after the legendary Desert Orchid farewelled the world the race in his honour ran for the first time at Kempton Park Racecourse. It replaced the Castleford Chase, a National Hunt race that had been hosted at Kempton Park since 1989.

The Desert Orchid Chase is classified as a Grade 2 Steeplechase and is open to horses aged four and over. It is run over a distance of two miles and includes twelve gruelling fences. The Chase is held annually at Kempton Park Racecourse in late December. Today, what started out as a touching tribute to a true equine champion, Desert Orchid, has become a much anticipated and fiercely competitive fixture on the National Hunt scene.

Recent Winners of the Desert Orchid Chase: