The racing world has been rocked by the revelation of a secret deal that could seal the fate of one of Britain's most iconic racecourses. The future of Kempton Park, home of the prestigious King George VI Chase, now hangs in the balance after it emerged that housing developer Redrow holds a long-term option to develop the site.
A Deal Struck in the Shadows
The Jockey Club confirmed this week that an option agreement was negotiated with Redrow back in 2018, a deal that was not made public at the time. This arrangement gives the home construction company the right to develop the Sunbury-on-Thames site until at least 2028. Jockey Club chief executive Jim Mullen has admitted the fate of the racecourse is now 'out of his hands'.
The news has sparked a profound sense of betrayal within the industry, coming just months after racing successfully campaigned to 'Axe The Racing Tax'. The Jockey Club, a non-profit organisation, played a significant role in that push, leaving some observers feeling deeply undermined by the covert nature of the Kempton arrangement.
An Irreplaceable Racing Asset
For professionals and fans alike, the potential loss of Kempton would create a cultural and sporting void. Its jumps track is considered the perfect antithesis to Cheltenham. Kempton is a flat, right-handed speed test, while Cheltenham is a left-handed, undulating stamina examination. Winning both the King George and the Gold Cup requires different characteristics, which is why only true champions achieve the double.
The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day is the undisputed Christmas showpiece of British racing. It attracts a unique blend of top-class horses, from two-and-a-half milers to elite three-mile chasers. This year's renewal is set to feature top Irish contenders Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File from Willie Mullins' powerhouse stable.
Furthermore, Kempton's All-Weather track is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. It has served as a crucial nursery for promising two-year-olds and was used as a prep race for champions like Enable before her Arc de Triomphe triumphs.
Industry Backlash and a Bleak Commercial Reality
Leading trainer Nicky Henderson, a major supporter of the track, has vowed to fight. He told the Racing Post: 'Kempton is one of the premier jumps tracks in the country... you can't replicate, change or rebuild that chase or hurdle track. It's crucial to the future of jump racing.'
However, the commercial reality appears stark. While Cheltenham and Aintree have been transformed into modern racing amphitheatres, Kempton has seen little investment in recent years. Beyond the King George meeting, it struggles to attract crowds larger than 7,000. With the current Labour government's focus on housebuilding and easing restrictions on green-belt development, Redrow is widely expected to take up its option in the near future.
This situation first arose in 2017 when a plan to build 3,000 houses on the site for £100 million fell through. The newly unearthed 2018 option agreement suggests the threat never truly disappeared. The fear now is that other racecourse organisations may follow suit if Kempton is lost, prioritising commercial viability over sporting heritage.
