Kempton Park Racecourse facts for kids
Section of tracks with finishing line
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| Location | Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England |
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| Owned by | Jockey Club Racecourses |
| Date opened | July 1878 |
| Screened on | Racing TV |
| Course type | Flat National Hunt |
| Notable races | King George VI Chase Coral Trophy Handicap Chase Sirenia Stakes |
Kempton Park Racecourse is a famous place in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England. It's where exciting horse racing events happen! This big area, about 210 acres, has flat grassy fields surrounded by trees and two lakes. It's also a popular spot for fun events and meetings.
The racecourse is about 13 miles west of central London. It even has its own train station, Kempton Park railway station, which was built especially for people coming to the races. Kempton Park has different tracks for two main types of horse racing: flat racing (where horses run on a flat track) and National Hunt racing (where horses jump over fences and hurdles). One of its most famous races is the King George VI Chase, which takes place every Boxing Day.
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The Story of Kempton Park
The idea for Kempton Park Racecourse came from a businessman named S. H. Hyde in the 1870s. He found the land for sale and decided it would be perfect for horse racing. The racecourse officially opened in July 1878.
For many years, Kempton Park's Easter races were a big highlight. People would gather to watch exciting races like the Roseberry Stakes.
In 2005, the racecourse closed for a short time to get a big upgrade. It reopened in 2006 with a new all-weather track made of a special synthetic material called polytrack. This new track and bright floodlights meant that races could happen in almost any weather, day or night!
Before this change, Kempton Park had a special "Jubilee Course" for flat races. This course is no longer used for racing and has become part of the surrounding green area.
In 2017, the Jockey Club, which owns Kempton Park, announced plans to close the racecourse and build houses there. However, in 2020, they changed their minds! They decided to keep Kempton Park open for racing, with only a small part of the land being developed for housing. This was great news for horse racing fans!
Exciting Races at Kempton Park
Kempton Park hosts both National Hunt racing (with jumps) and flat racing. Here are some of its most famous events:
- King George VI Chase: This is the most famous race at Kempton Park. It's a very important Grade 1 National Hunt race held every Boxing Day (December 26th). Horses aged four years or older compete in this exciting steeplechase.
- Kauto Star Novices' Chase: Also held on Boxing Day, this is another Grade 1 race for younger horses who are new to steeplechasing. Famous horses like Kauto Star and Long Run have won both this race and the King George VI Chase!
- Desert Orchid Chase: This Grade 2 race takes place the day after Boxing Day.
- Coral Trophy Handicap Chase: This important Grade 3 race is usually held around the end of February.
- September Stakes and Sirenia Stakes: These are popular flat races held in early September.
Fun Beyond Racing
Kempton Park isn't just for horse racing! It's a busy place with lots of other activities:
- Weekly Market: Every Thursday, you can find a market here.
- Antiques Market: On the second and last Tuesday of each month, there's a market for old and interesting items.
- Wedding Fairs: If you're planning a wedding, Kempton Park hosts seasonal wedding fairs.
- Private Events: You can book reception areas, restaurants, and private boxes for parties, celebrations, or business meetings.
Kempton Park on Screen
Because of its unique look, Kempton Park has been used as a location for movies and TV shows!
- The 1956 movie Dry Rot filmed some scenes here.
- The 1985 TV series The Optimist also used Kempton Park for filming.
The Beautiful Landscape
From the top parts of the grandstand, you can see amazing views! You can look towards the hills of Sandown Park and the North Downs. The racecourse is surrounded by lovely woodlands and parkland.
The Lake Incident
Kempton Park has two lakes in its center. Once, in January 2009, a horse named Blue Warrior accidentally fell into one of the lakes before a race! It took about 15 minutes to rescue the horse, which only got a small cut on its leg. Everyone was relieved!
Racecourse Details
Kempton Park has two main types of tracks:
- All-weather Track: This track opened in 2006. It's a right-handed oval shape, about 8 or 10 furlongs long, depending on which part of the track is used. It's made of a special synthetic material called polytrack and has floodlights for night racing.
- National Hunt Track: This track is shaped like a triangle, a little over 1 mile and 4 furlongs long. It's mostly flat and has fences for the horses to jump.
How to Get There
Kempton Park is easy to reach!
- By Train: The racecourse has its own train station, Kempton Park railway station. You can get there on the train line from London Waterloo to Shepperton.
- By Car: The A308 and A316 roads pass by the racecourse. The A316 even turns into the M3 motorway. There's free parking available for visitors.
