Kempton Park racecourse faces closure to make way for 3,000 homes
Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
The historic Kempton Park racecourse could be closed to make way for 3,000 homes as part of plans to raise £500m to invest in horse racing.
Course owner the Jockey Club says the proposal, with Redrow Homes, is "for the long-term good of British racing".
A new all-weather venue, most likely located at Newmarket, would be built as part of the plans.
Should the proposal go ahead, Kempton's famous King George VI Chase would move to Sandown, located six miles away.
Racing will continue at Kempton until at least 2021, and the redevelopment will only proceed if more than £100m is raised from the sale and the all-weather circuit is given the go-ahead.
Three-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson tweeted: "The King George isn't the same race at Sandown. Kempton is a track National Hunt racing cannot afford to lose. It's that simple. Very sad news indeed."
Jockey Andrew Thornton, who won the King George on See More Business in 1997, questioned why money raised from the potential sale would be invested at Newmarket, where Flat racing - not jumping - takes place.
"There wasn't even a muttering around the weighing rooms of this coming," Thornton told BBC Radio 5 live. "That worries me. Why haven't trainers and individuals had a say? It seems very close knit.
"From a jockey's point of view, it is one of the greatest tracks in the country."
Roger Weatherby, the Jockey Club's senior steward, said the proposal were part of a "series of projects" from the grassroots of racing to the top level.
He added: "We must show leadership with the assets we have and, where merited, take tough decisions to help our sport to keep moving forwards."
The proposal was a response to Spelthorne Borough Council's local plan for 2020, identifying where development could take place in the area.
Council leader Ian Harvey says he "strongly" opposes the development of the racecourse.
Kempton, which opened in 1878, is known as the host of the prestigious King George VI Chase, run for the first time in 1937.
The Grade One National Hunt race, usually held on Boxing Day, was won by Kauto Star a record five times.
The course's other notable races are the Sirenia Stakes in September and February's BetBright Chase.
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Land value is so high in this area & with are ever growing population
it is inevitable. In the future people will live down Dessie avenue & not
have a clue why.
Not a racing goer but a sports fan who bemoans the loss of original stadia and green spaces....
That was exactly my opinion when Kempton got the all weather, you end up with holding 3rd rate meetings, it lost its glamour, look what happened to the Jubilee handicap at Kempton, it got down graded
The jockey club are completely out of touch with reality and just trying to make a quick buck ... last thing we need is more mediocre racing as we have too much of that as it is.
I bow to your superior knowledge Shaun, perhaps you could enlighten me why Kempton is not suited?
Do you not agree with animals being raised for food? Why is horse meat so disgusting, but chicken, beef, lamb etc acceptable?
The pathetic digs in your comments reveale the level that you work at. I've read too much of the nonsense that comes from the likes of animal aid about horse racing. These people have never been near a horse let alone been responsible for their well being. Ever tried making a thoroughbred horse, 16 hands high and 75 stone do something it doesn't like? I have, impossible!
Kempton park has its own train station (racedays only)...... it is easy to get too on public transport