KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE Sunbury on Thames
Home of the King George VI Cup & Winter Festival
Kempton Park Racecourse is London’s premier racecourse and one of the busiest racecourses in Europe. Established in 1878 and steeped in history, Kempton Park Racecourse is located at Sunbury on Thames, Surrey, just 16 miles south west of the city of London, on the Greater London border. Kempton Park Racecourse combines both a turf track and a flood-lit all-weather track.
Kempton Park Racecourse hosts both Jump racing (October to April) and afternoon and evening Flat racing all year round. The highlight of Kempton Park’s racing calendar is the Grade 1 King George VI Chase held every Boxing Day as part of the Winter Festival.
The Grade 1 Feltham Novices’ Chase also takes place on Boxing Day and the following day is the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase. Kempton Park also hosts the BetBright Chase in the last weekend of February and the Sirenia Stakes major race day in early September.
King George VI Cup Chase
Day 1 of the 2-day Winter Festival on Boxing Day, features the King George VI National Hunt Chase. The King George is always one of the biggest races of the Jump Racing season. The King George is a race that really challenges the very best and is probably second to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in terms of prestige, with the race earning the title as the mid-season championship.
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race open to horses aged four years or older. Run at over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres) with 18 fences, at Kempton Park Racecourse each year on Boxing Day, the King George VI Chase is one of the most important races on the calendar.
Named in honour of the new British monarch, the King George VI Chase was first run in 1937. The King George VI Chase is now the second most prestigious chase in England, surpassed only by the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Fourteen horses have won it more than once, including Desert Orchid (4 times) and Kauto Star (5 times). Other great horses that have won the race in the past include Mandarin (winner of the first ever Hennessy Gold Cup), Mill House, the legendary Arkle, that other great grey horse, One Man, BestMate and Silviniaco Conti in 2013 and 2014. The race was won in 2015 by Cue Card.
Paul Nicholls, who trained Kauto Star is firmly established as one of the King George Top Trainers and his stable jockey, Ruby Walsh as a jockey to follow in the big race each year.
Enclosures & Stands
The type of ticket you buy will grant you access to different enclosures and stands. Some will give you a grandstand view of all the action on the course. Others provide more specialist views – of the finish line perhaps, or offering easy access to restaurants, bars and hospitality suites.
The paddock/parade ring
This is where the horses and riders parade before each race. It’s your opportunity to get a good look at the ones you fancy before you place your bets.
Trackside
Trackside is where you can get up close to the action. Nothing can beat the visceral excitement of watching race from the rails – especially if you get near the finish line.
Winners Enclosure
This is where the winning horses are reunited with their owners and where the trophies are presented.
Dress Code
There’s no strict dress code to attend the course, but for some enclosures, especially on event days, there may be some restrictions. As a general rule, smart dress is encouraged for major race days, though not compulsory.
Kempton Racecourse Hospitality
Hennessy & Racegoer Restaurants
During key race meetings like the Hennessy Festival, Premier Enclosure ticket holders can purchase additional restaurant dining and drinks packages in the Hennessy and Racegoer Restaurants:
- Hospitality packages
- Complimentary parking
- Official Racecards
- Race-day host
- Totepool betting
- Private bar
- Private balcony
Racecourse Private Suites & Boxes
- Clubhouse (Single Box) with stunning racecourse views overlooking the finishing straight for up to 20 people.
- Clubhouse (Double Box) with stunning racecourse views overlooking the finishing straight for up to 40 people.
- Royal Box for up to 60 people the Royal Box boasts prime views opposite the finishing line.
- Desert Orchid Suite suitable for groups of up to 180 people, is located opposite the finishing line and has access to a Private Balcony for race viewing.
Kempton Racetracks
Kempton has both Flat and Jump Racing tracks. In addition to turf, a new floodlit all-weather (Polytrack) synthetic track opened in 2006 to enable racing at all light levels and all but the most severe bad weather. Both courses are right-handed oval tracks.
The all-weather oval is 8 or 10 furlongs, depending on whether the inner or outer bend is used, with a run-in of about 5 furlongs. The National Hunt triangular circuit is about 1 mile 6 furlongs with a straight mile and 175 yd run-in. Slightly undulating, wide and galloping in nature, there are 10 fences and 6 hurdles per circuit.
Map & Contact Details
Address | Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW16 5AQ |
Phone | 01932 782 292 |
Website | http://www.kempton.co.uk |
kempton@jockeyclubracecourses.com | |
Tickets | https://kemptontickets.thejockeyclub.co.uk |
Rail | Waterloo to Kempton Park station which adjoins the course |
Driving | Course is on A308 at Sunbury |