Legends of the Champion Chase

The Queen Mother Champion Chase sits at the top of two-mile chasing – a race where speed, jumping accuracy, and sheer grit are pushed to their limits. Throughout Cheltenham Festival history, we’ve seen some genuine greats make their mark with jaw-dropping performances.

Jonbon currently leads the Champion Chase odds as the hot favourite, looking to add his name to an impressive list of winners. While we wait for Cheltenham, let’s look back at some past champions who’ve become part of this Grade 1 contest’s rich history.

Sprinter Sacre 

Sprinter Sacre was simply extraordinary. Trained by Nicky Henderson, he put on one of the most commanding shows in Champion Chase history back in 2013, cruising past his rivals to win by a massive 19 lengths.

A heart problem nearly ended his racing career, but his 2016 comeback remains one of National Hunt racing’s most remarkable revival stories. When he powered up the Cheltenham hill to overtake Un De Sceaux and reclaim his title, the crowd’s roar shook the grandstand – showing just how much fans adored him.

Altior 

Another Henderson star, Altior was practically unbeatable. His streak of 19 straight wins over obstacles was outstanding and winning back-to-back Champion Chases in 2018 and 2019 secured his place among the all-time best.

Altior’s devastating finishing speed and fierce fighting spirit made him the horse to beat in the two-mile division for years.

Moscow Flyer 

Trained by Jessica Harrington, Moscow Flyer was pure excitement in the Champion Chase. His blistering acceleration helped him grab two wins, first in 2003 and again in 2005.

Though he’d occasionally make a jumping error, when he got it right, nobody could touch him. His battles with Azertyuiop and Well Chief added real drama to what was already a golden era for two-mile chasers.

Badsworth Boy 

For sheer domination in the Champion Chase, Badsworth Boy stands alone. Trained by Michael Dickinson, he’s still the only horse to win the race three times, claiming an incredible hat-trick between 1983 and 1985.

His final win, where he left his rivals trailing by a huge margin, ranks as one of the most emphatic displays in the race’s history.

Viking Flagship 

Viking Flagship was the definition of toughness. Trained by David Nicholson, he won back-to-back Champion Chases in 1994 and 1995, beating top-class opponents through sheer determination.

He thrived in hard-fought battles up the Cheltenham hill, and his nail-biting duels with Deep Sensation and Travado earned him a special place in racing folklore.

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The Queen Mother Champion Chase has given us countless thrilling moments over the years, with these five legends helping build its storied reputation.

From Sprinter Sacre’s emotional comeback to Badsworth Boy’s complete control of the race for three years running, each horse brought something special to this prestigious event.

As new challengers emerge in the racing odds, the legacy of these champion chasers will continue to inspire racing fans for years to come.