Is this what the Jockey Club deems progress?

For sale sign: Kempton is set to give way to a housing developmentCredit: Edward Whitaker

Replacing history with a white elephant – so that’s what the Jockey Club deems progress. When will it realise the public are not interested in all-weather racing.

If Kempton, on the fringe of London, cannot attract racegoers for it, then what chance has Newmarket? Trainers will probably outnumber punters.

Many years ago, I attended the Sandown King George meeting after Kempton was out of action. It was a good race, but the magic and uniqueness was not there.

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Martin Smethurst

Published on 14 January 2017inComment

Last updated 18:50, 15 January 2017

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