'The King George wouldn’t be the same at any other course' - Racing Post readers have their say on Kempton's future

Last Sunday it was reported the future of Kempton is under threat from possible redevelopment plans. Here, you have had your say on the worrying prognosis for the Sunbury track

What would Dad think? He always went to Kempton

My mum has always maintained I picked up the racing bug from my father, who religiously went to the Boxing Day meeting at Kempton. Sadly he passed away while I was still young and I never went with him.

While very difficult logistically, I need to make an effort to get down to Kempton, not only to keep an old family tradition going but to show support for the track.

It is right-handed, fair and flat with nicely presented fences. It is adjacent to a railway station, the ground is rarely bad and it has the rare ability to host some races over 2m2f. What’s not to like? 

The King George itself is an absolutely brilliant annual event – the highlight of the average jumps fan’s Christmas – and it just wouldn’t be the same test or the same race at any other location. The course simply has to remain put.

I’m sure my father would be turning in his grave if he knew of the current plans.
Simon Burgess
Bewdley, Worcestershire

Its loss would be a travesty

The deal the Jockey Club has done with Redrow deserves scrutiny. It is a bad deal in as much as the Jockey Club has undersold Kempton, which is worth far more than the £100 million mentioned. 

If the development goes ahead, will an inflation factor (Consumer Price Index) per annum be built into the end price from 2017? Racing deserves to know the truth on this.

Developing Aintree and Cheltenham further from the proceeds does not make sense either. Two wonderful tracks with very good ­facilities, surely they are capable of wearing these well before further capital expenditure is required. The facilities cannot be blamed for a drop in festival attendances.

To sell Kempton and waste the money through bad management would be a travesty.
Shane Lawlor
Owner, Kildare

More joined-up thinking

With respect, I thought some of the pundits’ views were a bit wide of the mark about Kempton on The Front Page podcast (December 15).

There seem to be two choices. Leave Kempton as it is – a busy televised all-weather track with some jumps meetings – or make more use of it. 

I went to an enjoyable parrot event there a while ago. There must be scope for exhibitions, conferences, weddings, etc. Maybe do more to promote the well-rated panoramic restaurant. 

In short, try to make the place a going concern. Forget affordable housing – plonking 3,000 houses in the area would also destroy a very ­environmentally friendly green space in Greater London. And you can’t just add an extra 3,000 vehicles to already heavy day-to-day traffic without new roads, which can’t happen. 

Instead of washing its hands of Kempton, the Jockey Club needs to initiate some joined-up thinking.
Roger Ellis
London

Why not a partial deal?

We completely agree with Nicky Henderson (December 16) – Kempton must be kept open. 

Nicky Henderson: a staunch supporter of KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The Sunbury track is one of the best in Britain, especially over jumps. It drains well and is usually always raceable – unlike Sandown where the going deteriorates with relatively little rain. 

Why not do a partial housing deal like Newbury, which has been very successful?
Jo and Mike Shun

Focus on the top end

Nicky Henderson and Richard Russell’s views and opinions are better than mine, but there are alternative ways that Kempton can be viewed.

It hosts all-weather cards with an abundance of Class 5 and 6 handicaps, with five men and no dog standing in front of six bookmakers who look as fed up as the few punters present.

As the floodlights come on you struggle to read the racecard. If you are lucky enough to be an owner you will have queued with your food voucher to be accommodated in that minute space they call the owners and trainers bar, and if you own the winner you are given a box of chocolates which you can eat on the train back to London.

Financial logic says that some courses in Britain must close; more money must go to the top, not the bottom.
Hugh Ellison
Cranbrook, Kent

It could’ve been more open

I find it odd that suddenly it emerges Redrow has priority over an option to develop Kempton. 

It is a shame the Jockey Club has seemingly not been more up front about this. Meanwhile, its plans for Epsom seem to be based on a lot of marketing/management speak without seeming to have any tangible activities attached to them. 

Kempton would, in my view, be a more significant loss given Epsom has proved difficult to make money from over the years.

It is interesting, too, noticing what isn’t said in all of this. Barely a mention of Sandown, which is beginning to look tired, and nothing about Haydock either. Aintree and Cheltenham, on the other hand, have both had significant recent investment. Why more?

If Kempton was to regrettably close, there is a course where it would be ideal to run the King George – namely Huntingdon. It’s right-handed with easy bends and has a quick-draining surface.
Roger Vicarage
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

The runners past the stands in the King George at Kempton racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot the best alternative

If Kempton does go then the King George fixture should be moved to Ascot.

It will probably never happen as the powers that be won’t agree, but Ascot would get a bigger crowd and is more set up for a meeting of that stature.

Ascot on Boxing Day would be a top-class day out with the King George, Kauto Star and Christmas Hurdle. Added to that could be the Long Walk and the big two-mile handicap hurdle from its current December fixture the week before. Just add a novice hurdle and a handicap chase and the whole thing sounds easy.
James Emm
Paulton, Somerset

Trainers must support it

It is all very well hearing trainer after trainer coming out against closing racetracks. Now let’s see them help out by making more entries.

Let’s have no more two- or three-runner contests for perfectly good prize-money.
Paul Allen
Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Read more here

'I think it would be appalling if it closed' - racegoers and professionals stand together at Kempton's last Flat meeting of the year 

'It's an utter betrayal of jump racing' - why Paul Kealy is furious about losing Kempton 

'Nothing is certain or imminent' - Kempton manager's message to racegoers over track's future, with Christmas sales ahead of last year 

'It doesn't feel right' - readers have their say on a potential Wednesday-to-Saturday Cheltenham Festival 

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