The future of Kempton Park, one of British horse racing's most historic venues, hangs in the balance following revelations of a secret deal that could see the 147-year-old course bulldozed for a housing estate. The Jockey Club, racing's powerful governing body, granted developer Redrow a long-term option to purchase the site back in 2018, a fact kept from the racing public for seven years.
A Secret Deal and a Feudal Approach
New Jockey Club chief executive Jim Mullen recently disclosed that Redrow holds an option to develop Kempton Park, negotiated in 2018, which expires in 2028. This option, first revealed by The Sun in June, gives the housebuilder the right to buy the land if planning permission is secured. The timing is significant, coinciding with the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will limit local councils' powers to block such developments.
Critics accuse the unelected Jockey Club of operating with a feudal attitude, making monumental decisions about racing's heritage behind closed doors. The Club's initial 2017 plan envisaged 3,000 houses on the green belt site, a stone's throw from the M25 with a direct rail link to Waterloo. Despite overwhelming opposition from trainers like Nicky Henderson—who vowed to lie in front of bulldozers—local residents, and Spelthorne Borough Council, the Club proceeded with the secret option agreement.
The Irreplaceable Heritage of Kempton
Kempton Park is not just any racecourse. It is the home of the legendary King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, a race won by icons like Arkle, Desert Orchid, and Kauto Star. Its unique, flat, right-handed track provides a different test to Cheltenham, making the King George/Gold Cup double a mark of true greatness.
Beyond its jumping prestige, Kempton's all-weather Flat racing is a hugely profitable operation, believed to be the third-most profitable track in the Jockey Club's 15-venue portfolio. Its proximity to the training centre of Lambourn makes it a vital nursery for future stars. The potential loss of this multifaceted asset raises serious questions about the Jockey Club's commitment to its Royal Charter, which mandates it to act for the long-term good of British racing.
Governance Stuck in the 18th Century
The controversy highlights the archaic governance structure of the Jockey Club. Ultimate power rests with nine stewards elected from about 200 members, who are themselves recruited by invitation only. This opaque system allowed stewards to secretly cede control of a prized racing asset with no oversight or accountability.
The Club has suggested it could use the hundreds of millions from a sale to build a new all-weather track in Newmarket, its Flat racing headquarters. While this may suit the Club's centralised interests, it starkly contradicts the wishes of the jumping community and the site's local stakeholders. The Jockey Club's statement on the matter simply confirmed the existence of the 2018 option, offering no justification for the secrecy or how the decision aligns with its charter obligations.
As the new planning law looms, the threat to Kempton Park is more acute than ever. Racing enthusiasts are urged to witness next week's King George VI Chase, as it could be one of the last run at this iconic venue before the bulldozers arrive.
