Kempton Park Racecourse
Introduction
Based near Richmond, Kempton Park is the closest racecourse to London and hosts both flat and jump races throughout the year, thanks to the revolutionary all-weather floodlit course. The highlight of the racing year at Kempton Park is the traditional Christmas fair which is hosted on the 26th and 27th of December.
History
The first ever race held at Kempton Park took place on the 18th July 1878. The Park had been bought by Henry Hyde six years earlier, who went on to fulfil his ambition of building a racecourse on the site.
A Royal Box was constructed in just 21 days in 1889 to cater for a visit from the Prince of Wales.
Kempton Park Racecourse
The racecourse suffered major damage to the grandstand, restaurant, member’s stand and tattersalls bar as a result of fire in 1932.
Kempton Park was a major victim of both World Wars when all racing was abandoned and the site was used for a number of purposes related to the war. During the First World War, the park was used as a transit depot for military vehicles. The Racecourses at Gatwick, Hurst Park and Sandown adopted Kempton Park’s fixtures until 1919, when racing resumed at Kempton.
The site played a major role in accommodating prisoners of war throughout World War II. The main line rail station situated on the grounds of the racecourse allowed German and Italian soldiers to be directly routed to the temporary camp that was set up.
After the War had ended it became clear that the events of the previous six years had ruined much of the racecourse and a major reparation project ensued, before racing re-commenced in 1947.
The current grandstand was completed in 1997 after some redevelopment work. The racecourse was closed in May 2005 for the construction of the all-weather floodlit course which was completed eleven months later.
Course Information
All Weather Track
With two different circuits, the all weather track can cater for a variety of races, ranging from a short five-furlong dash to a 2 mile endurance race. The longer of the tracks is a 2000m oval while the inner, shorter track is 1612m.
Jump Course
The newly designed track positions the riders very close to the grandstand, with an open ditch as the last jump on the home straight.
Getting to Kempton Racecourse
By Road
If travelling from outside London the best route is the M25, leaving at junction 12 to join the M3 eastbound. Leave at junction 1 and take the A308 for approximately one mile and the racecourse is situated to your left.
By Rail
Trains run from London Waterloo approximately every 30 minutes. The journey to Kempton Park’s very own train station takes 35 minutes.
By Bus
Buses direct to the racecourse are available from Staines and Kingston.
Ticket Information
There are three areas open to the public:
Premier
Tickets are available at a cost of £17-£22 and offer great views of the Winning Post, the Parade Ring and the Winners’ Enclosure. Dress code is smart casual.
Paddock
For £13-£15 a Paddock ticket gives direct access to the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure and offers good views of the course. Dress code is smart casual.
Silver Ring
For a cheaper option, a ticket in the Silver Ring, which provides views of the course, costs £8-£10.
For more information about ticket bookings visit the Official Website
Contact Information
Kempton Park Racecourse
Staines Road East
Sunbury-on-Thames
TW16 5AQ
Telephone: 01932 782292
Fax: 01932 782044
E-mail: [email protected]