Four-time Champion jockey, Richard Johnson has selected three magnificent horses for Great British Racing’s December Horse of the Month competition.
All three nominees for December gave spectacular performances during a thrilling month of competitive racing. Find out more about each equine star for December below.
The voting will close on January 12th at 2pm.
December’s Horse of the Month contenders
Big River – Trained by Lucinda Russell
Big River won the Lilburn Estate Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase at Kelso on 5th December under Derek Fox.
The 12-year-old gelding showed sheer determination and proved his strength and power in the competitive final stages of the 4 mile chase.
Richard Johnson’s verdict: “Big River is a joy to watch. His loves Kelso and to see him have his 7th win at the track and enjoying the competitive race was brilliant.”
Iwilldoit – Trained by Sam Thomas
IWillDoIt had an impressive December winning both of his two runs that month, most notably the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase on Boxing Day.
Ridden stylishly by Stan Shepperd, the nine-year-old chaser has shown great promise and proven his talent ahead of the world-famous Randox Grand National in April at Aintree.
Richard Johnson’s verdict: “It was pleasure to watch IWillDoIt win at Chepstow for Sam Thomas and Stan Sheppard. He has shown great determination and a professional nature. The Welsh Grand National is a huge race in the racing calendar, so to have won that is an impressive achievement.”
Shishkin – Trained by Nicky Henderson
Winner of the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on 27th December.
One of the Jump racing’s favourite names, Shishkin added his ninth consecutive win to his CV after fans eagerly awaited his return to the track. Returning in style, he showed his agility and professional nature at Kempton and stole the hearts of racing fans once again.
Richard Johnson’s verdict: “Seeing Nicky Henderson’s face after the race just sums up how much it means to the team behind a horse. It is great to see Shishkin on the track and on his usual top-class form.”
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