Racegoers Club: Kempton gives food for thought

Kempton Park dominated the racing headlines over the Christmas period. Whilst the prospect of the venue being  sold off for housing casts a huge shadow over its future, this season’s King  George  was a classic. The Jukebox Man’s thrilling victory in front of over 17,000 spectators for the very popular Harry Redknapp was a real boost to our sport.

Boxing Day at Kempton has been a traditional part of so many people’s Christmas that the thought of it being taken away will be devastating to many racing fans. The memories of Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, all legendary winners of the King George, are indelibly lodged in our memories. 

However, the lack of investment in Kempton over the last few years is clear to see for any racegoer. I took my grandchildren to King George day a couple of years ago and at one point we had  to sit on the floor in one of the lounges because of the lack of seating. I was somewhat surprised to hear that Kempton is the third most profitable Jockey Club track, behind only Cheltenham and Aintree. I would have thought the likes of Epsom and Haydock would have been bigger revenue generators. It makes you wonder how much money those midweek all-weather meetings generate in media rights payments.

Newbury has shown how property development and racing can co-exist – it must be hoped that something similar could happen at Kempton. The noise from the Jockey Club, though, is that the future of Kempton is out of their hands. With that in mind, maybe we need to start thinking about where the King George should be run if it has to be moved. Three possibilities have been mentioned – Aintree, Ascot and Sandown.

With Aintree being a left-handed track, it’s not a natural alternative for me. Some might ask what difference it would make if the new venue is left-handed. Ask the connections of Desert Orchid, I’d say. Imagine if the King George had been run at Aintree in Dessie’s day. His flamboyant jumping would still be remembered fondly, but would his legacy be what it is today without his beloved Kempton?  Dessie gave so many of his fans truly memorable Boxing Days.

The other important consideration must be that when the winter sun shines  at Aintree, they only jump half the  fences. Fifteen minutes before the King  George was run at Kempton, a  three-mile handicap chase was run at Aintree where the eight runners didn’t jump any of the three fences in the home straight on each circuit. Think back to the spectacular finish of this season’s King George, with four horses jumping the last together, and try to imagine the scrimmaging taking place if those same four horses fought to navigate their way around bypassed fences at Aintree. 

Ascot would appear to be a better alternative. It’s right-handed, so that’s a positive. The course drains very well, so the ground would be another plus, and Ascot isn’t too far from Kempton, meaning that many of those that currently attend Kempton on Boxing Day may consider going to Ascot instead. The biggest stumbling block would be that Ascot isn’t owned by the  Jockey Club. They could sell the fixture, but would they want to give up one of the crown jewels of the National Hunt season?

Another option, Sandown, has the advantage of having already staged the race in 1995 and 2005, plus being a Jockey Club racecourse should make the transfer of the race easier. It’s also the closest jumps track to Kempton and should therefore attract a similar crowd. Some professionals think the different type of ground at Sandown would be detrimental, but along with Ascot it  could mean that the only Grade 1 staying chase currently run on a right-handed track would remain on a right-handed track.

The King George is second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in terms of prestige, so it is essential that it continues to thrive, whether that be at Kempton or a new home.