This Saturday’s Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket is expected to see last year’s controversial winner Alphonse Le Grande back for more – but anyone thinking of backing this Tony Martin-trained runner might want to know about a race record that stretches back to 1839.
Alphonse Le Grande Won Back The 2024 Cesarewitch After Being Disqualified
The 2024 Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket was hitting the headlines long after the race had been won.
As the ‘first-past-the-post’ Alphonse Le Grande was disqualified after jockey Jamie Powell was deemed to have used his whip ten times.
With the horse racing whip rules for flat races saying jockeys can use the whip a maximum of six times, with rider bans in place for anyone that goes over.
However, if a jockey reaches ten (or more) hits with the whip – this results in the horse and rider being disqualified from the race.
At the time, this was deemed to have happened and the race was awarded to the runner-up Manxman. With Powell also being suspended for 28-days too.
But with a difference of £47k in prize money between first and second there was a lot at stake and connections of Alphonse Le Grande appealed.
Saying that the tenth strike from Jamie Powell made inadvertent contact with the horse and, therefore, wasn’t deemed a strike.
The appeal was successful with the British Horseracing Authority’s whip review committee reversing Alphonse Le Grande’s disqualification – putting him back as the winner and Manxman second.
You can watch the race again below and see for yourself.
British Horse Racing Whip Rules
- Flat Racing – Used a maximum of six times
- Jump Racing – Used a maximum of seven times
- Riders found to have broken the whip rules or guidance will face a period of suspension
- Riders picking up third suspension in a six-month period will be referred to the Judicial Panel for penalty
- If the whip is used four times or more above the permitted level (6 or 7), the rider and horse will be disqualified from the race
WATCH: Alphonse Le Grande Winning The 2024 Cesarewitch Handicap
Alphonse Le Grande Looking To Become The First EVER ‘Back-to-Back’ Cesarewitch Winner
The good news is the 2024 Cesarewitch winner, Alphonse Le Grande will be back to defend his crown on Saturday – and be hoping to win the race without all the controversy this time.
However, anyone looking to side with last year’s hero again, but want to know there has NEVER been a ‘back-to-back’ winner of the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket.
And considering the race was first run in 1839 – this is a run of NO repeat winners stretching back over 180 years.
Okay, the Cesarewitch buffs out there will say we have had a double winner in recent times – when Aaim To Prosper took the prize twice.
But these two wins didn’t come in consecutive seasons – winning in 2010 and 2012 for trainer Brian Meehan.
Cesarewitch Winner Alphonse Le Grande Still Well-Fancied To Follow Up
Despite this long-standing Cesarewitch Handicap trend, many punters still think Alphonse Le Grande can do the business again.
With a lot of bookmakers making him one of the 2025 favourites in the ultra-competitive race.
If he can follow-up, he’ll have to do so rated 6lbs higher.
While the big race stats also tell us favourites don’t have a great record – should he be sent off as the market leader.
In the last 23 runnings of the Cesarewitch, we’ve only seen FOUR winning jollies. With the most recent Great White Shark for Willie Mullins in 2020.
Alphonse Le Grande returned at 33/1 last year and joined other recent big-priced winners since 2008. Caracciola (50/1), Aaim To Prosper (66/1). Scatter Dice (66/1) and Grumeti (50/1).
Only last year The Shunter, who won the race in 2023, tried to become the first ever back-to-back Cesarewitch winner – however, was only 15th in 2024.
But the 2022 winner Run For Oscar did better last year. Running fourth behind Alphonse Le Grande.
Cesarewitch Handicap Race Details 2025
📅Date: Saturday 11th October 2025
⌚Time: 3:40pm
🏇Racecourse: Newmarket
💰Winning Purse: £90,195.00
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Cesarewitch Handicap Winners (Last 10 Years)
- 2024 – Alphonse Le Grand (33/1)
- 2023 – The Shunter (14/1)
- 2022 – Run For Oscar (4/1)
- 2021 – Buzz (8/1)
- 2020 – Great White Shark (9/2 fav)
- 2019 – Stratum (25/1)
- 2018 – Low Sun (10/1)
- 2017 – Withhold (5/1 fav)
- 2016 – Sweet Selection (7/1)
- 2015 – Grumeti (50/1)
- 2014 – Big Easy (10/1)
