What was signficant about the 2015 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park?

Inaugurated, as the Feltham Novices’ Chase, in 1975, the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase is run over three miles on the opening day of the Christmas Festival at Kempton Park, a.k.a. King George VI Chase Day. Indeed, along with the King George VI Chase, itself, and the Christmas Hurdle, it is one of three prestigious Grade 1 contests on the feature card of the year at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue. In 2013, the race was permanently renamed in honour of Kauto Star, who was retired from racing the previous October, having won the King George VI five times, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011.

The 2015 renewal of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, run, as usual, on Boxing Day, was won by the 9/4 second-favourite Tea For Two, a six-year-old trained by Nick Williams. The son of leading National Hunt sire Kayf Tara jumped superbly throughout and, having taken the lead between the final two fences, only had to be pushed out to beat Southfield Royale by four lengths, with the favourite (and future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner) Native River a similar distance behind in third.

The result was significant, though, that Tea For Two was ridden by his regular partner, Lizzie Kelly, the 22-year-old stepdaughter of his trainer. Thus, Lizzie Kelly became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 National Hunt race in Britain. Reflecting on her historic victory, she said, “This has been a long time in the planning and it is some feeling.”