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JONBON & HORSE RACING’S BIGGEST FALLS FROM GRACE
HEADING into 2025, Jonbon was one of the most discussed horses not only in the UK but on the circuit as a whole. He came into this year riding the crest of a wave, reeling off four straight victories, much to the delight of his loyal backers the world over. However, to say the last few months have been a disaster would be an understatement.
JONBON’S RECENT WOES
THE French bay gelding romped to victory at Ascot in January, and that prompted betting websites to sit up and take notice ahead of March's marquee Cheltenham Festival, one of the most prestigious horse racing events on the planet.
There was great excitement in the sporting world, and among sports betting providers such as Bovada. The popular Bovada website, among others, had the nine-year-old listed as a mighty 5/6 favourite to win the featured Queen Mother Champion Chase, but unfortunately, disaster was around the corner. Jonbon headed into the contest with 17 wins from 20, but his three defeats had come at Cheltenham, and a mistake when jumping one of the famous giant hurdles saw him finish a whopping 18 lengths behind eventual winner Marine Nationale.
That was one of many shockers at this year's festival, with the likes of Constitution Hill and Ballyburn also getting beaten. Jonbon immediately bounced back, romping to glory in the Melling Chase at Aintree's Grand National Festival. But once again, further disappointment was around the corner.
Jonbon was priced as an 8/15 frontrunner to win the recent Celebration Chase at Sandown, but once more, he was well beaten. This time around, it was French compatriot Il Etait Temps that blazed clear in the final stages, with the favourite simply having no gas left in the tank to mount a response. He ultimately succumbed to a five-and-a-half-length defeat, and that could spell the beginning of the end for one of the greatest horses of a generation.
Jonbon's recent woes aren't a one-off occurrence, though. Here are four other superstars who suffered a dramatic fall from grace after seemingly being on top of the world.
NATIVE DANCER – THE HEARTBREAKER OF THE DERBY
NATIVE Dancer dazzled American racing fans in the early 1950s. With 21 wins from 22 starts by the age of three, the aptly nicknamed Grey Ghost seemed destined for the Triple Crown. When he lined up for the Kentucky Derby in 1953, few doubted his credentials.
However, despite it seeming for all the world that the race was there for the taking, Native Dancer's dream run was shattered. After bumping with another horse early, he was forced to rally from far back. Despite a heroic effort, he lost by less than a length to outsider Dark Star. The loss left fans stunned, as the overwhelming favourite had appeared unstoppable. While he bounced back with victories in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, his Churchill Downs defeat crushed any hopes of Triple Crown glory at the very first hurdle.
SECRETARIAT’S DEFEAT AT THE WHITNEY STAKES
SECRETARIAT is widely regarded as the greatest American racehorse of all time. His 1973 Triple Crown sweep and record-breaking Belmont Stakes performance cemented his legacy, but even this giant of the track suffered an unexpected setback.
At Saratoga’s Whitney Stakes that same year, Secretariat faced Onion, a relatively unremarkable rival and somewhat of an afterthought. But despite the huge gulf in expectations between the two contenders, the underdog would ultimately defy his critics. Secretariat struggled to find his usual rhythm, while Onion capitalised on a well-run pace to take the victory.
Saratoga was already known as the "Graveyard of Champions," and it successfully lived up to its name. Racing's brightest star was beaten and his consistency was questioned, but he would return with further scintillating performances in the coming years. Jonbon will be hoping that he can do the same.
ARROGATE’S RAPID DECLINE
ARROGATE erupted onto the global racing stage in 2016, becoming an American sensation thanks to his jaw-dropping wins in the Travers Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Pegasus World Cup. His Dubai World Cup victory the following year was even more spectacular, overcoming an abysmal start to power home first, when all hope seemed lost.
Yet, almost as quickly as Arrogate’s star rose, it fell. Upon returning Stateside, he delivered a series of bafflingly poor performances, beginning with the San Diego Handicap. He trailed mid-pack against much weaker competition but couldn't find that turn of pace that he found in the Arabian Gulf months prior. Following that defeat, his form never recovered, and by the time of his retirement, the once-celebrated juggernaut left fans wondering what caused the dramatic fall from grace.
ZENYATTA’S PAINFUL NEAR-PERFECT CAREER
ZENYATTA is another of America's finest, and her 19 consecutive victories and electrifying come-from-behind triumphs some 15 or so years ago catapulted her to superstardom. Her attempt at perfection came in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic when she ran for a record-breaking 20th consecutive win.
Facing top-class males on dirt, Zenyatta dropped far behind early but surged through the field in one of her signature late bursts. Ultimately, though, she had left herself with too much work to do and fell agonisingly short, beaten by a nose to Blame.
