:Draft:Seddon

Seddon is a bay gelding bred in Ireland by Tim and Helen Keoghan. He is sired by Stowaway (GB) out of the mare Andreas Benefit (IRE). Initially trained in Britain by Tom George and later Harry Whittington, Seddon transitioned to John McConnell's yard in County Meath in August 2022. [https://www.irishracing.com/horse/Seddon-IRE/564232] Seddon’s ownership by the Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate, a group made up largely of friends and family members, has been highlighted in racing media as a standout example of the accessibility and inclusiveness of syndicate ownership in modern jump racing.

Seddon began his racing career in National Hunt Flat races. He progressed to novice hurdles and chases, achieving moderate success under trainers Tom George and Harry Whittington. [https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1411197/seddon]

Seddon recorded a victory in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October 2022. He followed this with a chasing win at Leopardstown during the Christmas Festival. His most notable win came in March 2023, when he won the Magners Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The win was widely regarded as a fairytale result, not only for McConnell and amateur jockey Ben Harvey, but also for the Galaxy Syndicate, who had bought the horse for a modest sum prior to his remarkable resurgence in form. His success was seen as one of the feel-good stories of the Festival. [https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/seddon-strikes-at-20-1-to-give-ireland-yet-another-cheltenham-festival-winner-ayV587z6GBjG/] [https://news.paddypower.com/horse-racing-news/2024/03/12/plate-handicap-chase-2024-cheltenham-date-start-time-runners-betting/] [https://www.independent.ie/sport/horse-racing/options-open-for-trainer-john-mcconnells-cheltenham-festival-hero-seddon/42397090.html] [https://dublingazette.com/dublinlocalmatters/cheltenham-win-for-dublin-syndicate-45476/] [https://racing365.com/news/2023/03/21/options-open-for-mcconnells-cheltenham-hero-seddon/] [https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/seddon-strikes-at-20-1-to-give-ireland-yet-another-cheltenham-festival-winner-ayV587z6GBjG/]

In April 2023, Seddon capped the season by winning the €100,000 Fitzwilliam Sports Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-29 |title=Seddon rounds off fabulous four-timer |url=https://www.irishracing.com/news/Seddon-rounds-off-fabulous-four-timer/239600 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.irishracing.com}}

Seddon began the 2023–24 campaign with a narrow second-place finish in the Deacy Gilligan Hurdle at Galway. He was then sent to the United States, where he ran third in the grade 1 American Grand National at Far Hills, New Jersey. Seddon’s appearance in the American Grand National reflected both his durability and international appeal. Despite travel and unfamiliar ground, he placed creditably in one of the United States' most prestigious steeplechase events. Returning to Ireland, he added two flat race victories at Killarney and Listowel. [https://racing365.com/news/2023/03/21/options-open-for-mcconnells-cheltenham-hero-seddon/] [https://www.racingpost.com/results/395/far-hills/2023-10-21/852559]

In December 2024, Seddon finished fifth in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. He returned to the same course on New Year’s Day 2025, placing third in the Betfair Exchange Chase, and later ran tenth in his title defense at the Magners Plate Handicap Chase during the Cheltenham Festival. [https://www.skysports.com/racing/form-profiles/horse/957466/seddon-ire]

[https://www.irishracing.com/horse/Seddon-IRE/564232]

[https://www.pedigreequery.com/seddon]

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