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Missisabella you can disagree on here , what you can’t do is tell people to go away , it’s a forum not a popularity contest , disagree , raise an opinion , don’t attempt to bully people
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Where some posters are commenting that Kempton won’t be missed because it has become run down and does not have much good racing, I think the point that is being missed is that this is because it’s what has been allowed to happen. It has been neglected, quite possibly intentionally, and with the hope that this is what people will then say.
Other struggling racecourses have been rejuvenated and, with better leadership, I am sure Kempton could be. The fact that the Jockey Club and BHA have allowed such a prestigious and important course to fail in this way is utterly shameful.
The reality that very few businesses have unlimited funds. Those companies who expand too quickly and borrow too much usually end up in administration. Sensible directors who watch cash flow realise that it often comes down to choices. Unfortunately for Kempton Park this was the one course that was deemed not to be worth saving. Digging up their exceptional turf course and replacing interesting and valuable racing with a load of rubbish probably sealed their fate.
A sensible policy is to design your offering to appeal to racegoers and punters. If the racing you put on is solely designed to fill bookmakers’ satchels this is what you get. At least Lingfield retained their turf course, so when AW finally goes pear shaped they are still in business.
“The fact that the Jockey Club and BHA have allowed such a prestigious and important course to fail in this way is utterly shameful.”
I agree completely, Marlingford.
It is a great shame but unfortunately Kempton has never been a particularly popular track, even before it was ruined in 2005/06 and the facilities were allowed to be run down.
Even meetings such as the Racing Post Chase and the September Stakes never really drew very large crowds, especially when compared to Ascot, Sandown and Newbury.
Bar one or two meetings, the standard of racing was never as high at Kempton as it was at the neighbouring tracks. Throw in its not very inspiring setting and the crowds didn’t really flock to the venue. I liked it but plenty of people were indifferent.
It is unfortunate from a historical perspective but it doesn’t look like the track has any long term future.
89 runners declared at Kempton today for a Monday meeting. Can’t think they’ve been many times that’s happened in recent times. By comparison 77 declared runners at the DRF today.
Hopefully one of the reasons is trainers showing their support for the track. After watching Sandown on Saturday would anyone think the King George meeting should ever be run there in mid-Winter?
I shall be paying my first ever visit there today to show my support.
Remember my first visit there back in the day , Bradbury Star in a novice hurdle the one horse I remember that day , turned out very handy .
Enjoy your day , good luck on punt .Thanks HCMW. When I first considered the idea of going there today I was expecting perhaps around 40 runners. I’ll have my work cut out today to produce a profit!
I see Peking Opera having a go there today ,he’s gone downhill badly since Epsom and Irish Derby runs .
You need good luck at Kempton. Already we have had a 22/1 winner and a 50/1 winner today. A bookies’ paradise!
Nice winner for Harry Derham, interesting jockey booking bringing Finan over. I think hes ridden a few this season for Harry.
A fruitless day punting wise but enjoyed the racing and visiting Kempton for the first time. It did make me wonder how they cope with a large crowd though.
“I shall be paying my first ever visit there today to show my support.”
Crikey. My first visit was in 1981, when Kind Of Hush won the September Stakes and Sandhurst Prince landed the Sirenia.
Glad that you enjoyed the day, despite finding it hard to find winners – Kempton is a lovely track but has been (deliberately?) neglected by the Jockey Club for years now.
It does have a slightly run down feel to it and I was expecting it to be bigger. Still had an opportunity to talk to a number of trainers and the RTV presenters for the day. Even Rishi was there. I did ask why he chose a chilly Monday afternoon to be at Kempton rather than Bahrain?!
Just to illustrate how valuable racecourse land is in the south east,Ascots two car parks at the east end of the high street 5a & 6 have been sold for development.
“Ascot gardens” might prove to be an ideal place for the racing enthusiast although where that leaves car parking at The Royal Meeting I don’t know
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