If you’re looking for a thrilling day out, Kempton Park Races is the perfect destination. Located in Sunbury-on-Thames, this world-renowned racecourse is home to some of the most exciting flat and jump races in the UK. With a rich history dating back over 140 years, Kempton Park has become a favourite among racing enthusiasts and novices alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a first-time racegoer, Kempton Park Races has something for everyone. The course is known for its unique oval shape and two loops, with the inner circuit used for races over five and ten furlongs being particularly sharp. This makes it the ideal track for speedy, handy types, especially over the minimum trip. With both flat and jump races held throughout the year, Kempton Park is a versatile venue that offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Overview of Kempton Park Races
We are excited to provide an overview of Kempton Park Races, one of the premier horse racing venues in the UK. Located in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, Kempton Park hosts both National Hunt jump racing and flat all-weather racing across two tracks.
The jumps course is a triangular track of one mile five furlongs, with a 220-yard run-in. The flat course is a right-handed, polytrack, oval-shaped course with two loops. The inner circuit, used for races over five and ten furlongs, is sharp and has a finishing straight of just under two furlongs, favoring the speedy, handy type, markedly so over the minimum trip.
Kempton Park Races hosts many great meetings throughout the year, with the biggest being its fantastic Boxing Day racing event. The King George VI Chase is the highlight of the day and is one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar. Other notable races include the Feltham Novices’ Chase, the Christmas Hurdle, and the Desert Orchid Chase.
The racecourse has a capacity of 17,000 people and offers a range of hospitality packages, including private boxes, restaurants, and bars. There are also plenty of food and drink options available in the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure.
Kempton Park Races is easily accessible by both road and rail. The course has its own station, reached from London Waterloo, making it easy to get to from the city. For those driving, the M3 eastbound at junction 1 is the best route to take, followed by the A308 for about a mile.
We hope this overview has given you a good idea of what to expect when visiting Kempton Park Races. With its top-class racing, excellent facilities, and convenient location, it’s no wonder why it’s a favorite among horse racing enthusiasts.
Types of Races
At Kempton Park Races, there are two main types of races: Flat Racing and Jump Racing.
Flat Racing
Flat Racing takes place on a level track, without any obstacles. This type of racing is popular in the summer months and is run on both turf and all-weather tracks. Kempton Park has a Polytrack all-weather track which is used for Flat Racing throughout the year.
There are different types of Flat Races, including:
- Group Races: These are the highest level of Flat Racing, with the best horses competing against each other. Group races are further divided into Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 races, with Group 1 being the most prestigious.
- Handicap Races: In these races, horses carry different weights based on their ability. The aim is to have all horses finish at the same time, with the winner being the horse that has overcome its handicap.
- Maiden Races: These are races for horses that have not yet won a race.
Jump Racing
Jump Racing, also known as National Hunt Racing, involves horses jumping over obstacles such as hurdles and fences. This type of racing is popular in the winter months and is run on turf tracks. Kempton Park hosts the Christmas Hurdle, which is a Grade 1 hurdle race run on Boxing Day.
There are different types of Jump Races, including:
- Hurdle Races: In these races, horses jump over hurdles which are lower than fences.
- Chase Races: In these races, horses jump over larger obstacles known as fences.
- Steeplechase Races: These are the most challenging type of Jump Racing, with horses jumping over high fences and ditches.
Overall, Kempton Park Races offers a variety of races for both Flat and Jump Racing fans. Whether you prefer the speed and excitement of Flat Racing or the thrills and spills of Jump Racing, there is something for everyone at Kempton Park.
Course Details
At Kempton Park, we have two courses – the outer and inner course. Both courses are oval-shaped and are right-handed. The outer course is used for races over distances greater than one mile, while the inner course is used for races over five and ten furlongs.
Outer Course
The outer course at Kempton Park is a one-mile, five-furlong oval-shaped course. The turn on the outer course is more sweeping, and the horses tend to race at a more even pace. This course is used for races over distances greater than one mile, up to ten furlongs. The first bend is relatively sharp, and it is essential for horses to be positioned well to avoid losing ground.
Inner Course
The inner course at Kempton Park is a sharp, five-furlong oval-shaped course. This course is used for races over five and ten furlongs. The turns are tight, and it tends to favor the speedy, handy type, markedly so over the minimum trip. The horses must be nimble and able to readjust on the turn without losing speed.
Finishing Straight
The finishing straight at Kempton Park is just under two furlongs long. It favors horses with speed and stamina, and it is essential for horses to be positioned well coming into the straight to make a winning challenge.
In summary, Kempton Park is a world-class racecourse with two courses – the outer and inner course. The outer course is used for races over distances greater than one mile, while the inner course is used for races over five and ten furlongs. The finishing straight is just under two furlongs long and favors horses with speed and stamina.
Notable Races
At Kempton Park, there are several notable races that take place throughout the year. In this section, we will cover the most prestigious and exciting races held at this racecourse.
King George VI Chase
One of the most prestigious races held at Kempton Park is the King George VI Chase. This race is held on Boxing Day every year and is one of the highlights of the National Hunt season. The race is run over a distance of three miles and has 18 fences to jump.
The King George VI Chase has a rich history, with many of the greatest horses in National Hunt racing having won the race. The most successful horse in the history of the race is Kauto Star, who won it five times between 2006 and 2011. Other notable winners include Desert Orchid, Best Mate, and Long Run.
Christmas Hurdle
Another notable race held at Kempton Park is the Christmas Hurdle. This race is also held on Boxing Day and is one of the most important hurdle races of the National Hunt season. The race is run over a distance of two miles and has eight hurdles to jump.
The Christmas Hurdle has been won by many great horses over the years, including Istabraq, Faugheen, and Binocular. The most successful horse in the history of the race is Comedy Of Errors, who won it four times between 1973 and 1976.
Magnolia Stakes
The Magnolia Stakes is a notable race held at Kempton Park on the all-weather track. This race is run over a distance of one mile and two furlongs and is open to horses aged three and older. The race is usually held in March or April.
The Magnolia Stakes has a long history, with the first running of the race taking place in 1948. Some of the most successful horses in the history of the race include Brigadier Gerard, who won it in 1972, and Time Charter, who won it in 1983.
Practical Information
Transport and Accommodation
When it comes to getting to Kempton Park Racecourse, there are several options available. If you’re driving, the course is located just off the A308 and has ample parking available. However, please note that parking can fill up quickly on busy race days, so it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot. If you’re travelling by public transport, the nearest train station is Kempton Park, which is just a short walk from the racecourse.
If you’re planning on staying overnight, there are plenty of accommodation options nearby. We recommend checking out booking.com for a range of hotels and B&Bs in the area. Some popular choices include the Travelodge Sunbury M3 Hotel and the Premier Inn Sunbury Kempton Park Hotel, both of which are located just a short drive from the racecourse.
Betting and Tote
If you’re planning on having a flutter at Kempton Park, there are several betting options available. The most popular is the Tote, which offers a range of betting options including win, place, and each-way bets. You can place your bets at one of the many Tote booths located around the racecourse.
If you prefer to bet with a bookmaker, there are several on-course bookies available, as well as online betting apps such as Bet365 and Ladbrokes. It’s important to remember to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Overall, Kempton Park Racecourse is a great day out for any racing fan. With top-class racing, excellent facilities, and a friendly atmosphere, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular courses in the UK. Whether you’re a seasoned racegoer or a first-time visitor, we’re sure you’ll have a fantastic time at Kempton Park.
History of Kempton Park Racecourse
We are excited to share with you some of the fascinating history of Kempton Park Racecourse, one of the UK’s premier horse racing venues. The racecourse was the brainchild of businessman and Conservative Party agent, S. H. Hyde, who stumbled upon Kempton Manor and Park for sale during a carriage drive in the country with his wife in June 1870. Hyde leased the grounds as a tenant in 1872, and six years later, in July 1878, Kempton opened as a racecourse.
The first-ever race held at Kempton Park was on 18th July 1878. Since then, the racecourse has hosted many prestigious races, including the King George VI Chase, which has been held annually at Kempton since 1937. This race is one of the highlights of the National Hunt calendar and attracts some of the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world.
One of the most famous horses to have raced at Kempton Park is Desert Orchid, who won the King George VI Chase four times in the 1980s. Desert Orchid was a beloved horse and a true legend of the sport, and his victories at Kempton Park helped to cement the racecourse’s reputation as a world-class venue.
Over the years, Kempton Park has undergone many changes and developments, including the construction of a Royal Box in just 21 days in 1889 to cater for a visit from the Prince of Wales. The racecourse has also been the site of many memorable moments in horse racing history, including Red Rum’s victory in the 1976 King George VI Chase.
Today, Kempton Park Racecourse continues to attract racing enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond, and we are proud to be a part of its rich history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Kempton for jumps racing?
Kempton is a popular racecourse for jumps racing and has seen many talented jockeys and trainers over the years. Some of the top jockeys at Kempton for jumps racing include Nico de Boinville, Barry Geraghty, and Richard Johnson. As for trainers, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, and Philip Hobbs are some of the most successful trainers at Kempton for jumps racing.
What is the draw bias at Kempton racecourse?
Draw bias refers to the advantage or disadvantage a horse may have based on its starting position. At Kempton racecourse, there is a slight draw bias on the all-weather track, with horses drawn low having a slight advantage over those drawn high over distances of 6 furlongs and 1 mile. However, the draw bias is less significant over longer distances. On the jumps course, there is no significant draw bias to consider.