Betfair Million
The Betfair Million was a promotional scheme run by Betfair. It was initiated in the 2005-2006 National Hunt season. If a horse won the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, they would be awarded a £1 million bonus. All of these races were part of the premier 3 mile division of steeplechasing.
Alterations
For the 2006-2007 season, the scheme was altered to allow the Lexus Chase, also over 3 miles, run at Leopardstown in December to be chosen as an alternative to the King George VI Chase.This was retained for the next season, but in the 2008-2009 season the format was altered again. This time, to qualify, a horse had to finish in the top three in the Betfair Chase, in the top two at any race at the Cheltenham Festival, and win the Grand National at Aintree, over 4 miles and 4 furlongs. The scheme was dropped the following season.
Winners
The only horse to win the bonus was Kauto Star, in the 2006-2007 season. He took the original route, winning the Betfair Chase,the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Also in the course of that season, he won the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown over 2 miles, and the Aon Chase at Newbury over 3 miles. At the end of that season he was the highest rated chaser over 2 miles, 2 miles and 4 furlongs and 3 miles.
References