With the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup approaching, The Jukebox Man and Harry Redknapp are attracting attention. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth manager is hoping his horse will follow legends into the history books.
British Hope Amidst Irish Dominance
Irish-trained horses have largely dominated the Gold Cup, winning eight of the last 10 editions. However, the British-trained eight-year-old bay gelding, The Jukebox Man, is getting attention thanks to his King George success on Boxing Day.
Gloucestershire-based trainer Ben Pauling identified The Jukebox Man early. Pauling ventured into jumps horse training in 2013 and now has a full-on stable in Naunton Downs.
The Jukebox Man could be his best horse yet.
Redknapp’s Journey into Horse Ownership
Redknapp’s foray into horse ownership was a step into the unknown. The 79-year-old began investing with Pauling over seven years ago, and the pair have struck up a glowing relationship.
At the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, Shakem Up’arry, also owned by Redknapp and trained by Pauling, won the Sun Racing Plate Handicap. The Jukebox Man was purchased for £70,000.
King George Victory Fuels Gold Cup Dreams
The Jukebox Man came within a head of a Cheltenham triumph at the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, when beaten by Stellar Story. An injury ruled him out of returning to the Festival in 2025, but he bounced back at Kempton on Boxing Day, landing the Grade 1 King George VI Chase.
That victory has given Redknapp and Pauling confidence that he can claim Cheltenham Gold Cup glory. Redknapp has had a long affiliation with horse racing, revealing his grandmother would sometimes act as the ‘bookies’ in the east end of London when gambling was illegal.
Now he travels back to Prestbury Park with a real chance of Cheltenham Gold.