Kempton Park Racecourse Guide
About Kempton Park Racecourse
Kempton Park Racecourse is a major dual-purpose venue located in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, approximately 16 miles from central London. The course is best known as the home of the King George VI Chase, one of the most prestigious steeplechases in the National Hunt calendar, which is the centrepiece of the hugely popular Christmas meeting. Kempton also stages year-round flat racing on its all-weather Polytrack surface, making it one of the busiest racecourses in Britain.
The King George VI Chase, run on Boxing Day over three miles at Grade 1 level, is the feature of Kempton's National Hunt programme and one of the most anticipated races of the entire jumps season. The race has been won by many of the greatest chasers in history, including Kauto Star, who won it a record five times, Desert Orchid, and Arkle. The Boxing Day meeting attracts big crowds and is a highlight of the festive sporting calendar. The Christmas programme also includes the Christmas Hurdle, a Grade 1 contest that often serves as a Champion Hurdle trial.
Kempton's flat racing programme revolves around the Polytrack all-weather surface, which allows racing to continue throughout the year regardless of weather conditions. The all-weather track is a right-handed oval of approximately one mile and five furlongs, with a straight course of six furlongs. The Polytrack surface provides consistent going and has become increasingly important in the racing calendar, with several valuable all-weather fixtures and evening meetings attracting good-quality fields.
The Track & Course Layout
The jumps course at Kempton is right-handed and flat, approximately one mile and five furlongs in circumference. The flat, galloping nature of the track means that front-runners and fluent jumpers tend to do well, as there are no hills or tight bends to disrupt their rhythm. The fences are considered fair but by no means easy, and the final fence, coming at a point where tired horses can make errors, has decided many races at the course.
For flat racecard analysis on the Polytrack, the surface suits certain types of horse. Some horses handle the all-weather surface much better than turf, and vice versa. Previous all-weather form is important, though it does not always translate directly to Kempton as the Polytrack plays differently from the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton or Newcastle. Pace is important at Kempton, as the flat track means that front-runners can dictate terms, particularly on the all-weather where the consistent surface reduces variables.
For National Hunt racecard analysis, Kempton's flat track favours fluent-jumping, galloping types. The absence of hills means that the staying power of a horse is tested purely by the distance rather than by topography. Horses that race prominently and jump economically have a strong record at Kempton, and those that need hills or undulations to produce their best effort can struggle on the relentlessly level track. Course form is a reliable guide, and trainers who regularly target Kempton with their better horses are worth noting.
Key Races & The Racing Programme
The going at Kempton for jump racing is generally consistent, as the course benefits from good drainage. The all-weather surface provides its own consistent going year-round. For turf jump racing, the ground rarely becomes genuinely heavy, though it can ride soft during the winter months.
The facilities at Kempton have been modernised, with a well-appointed grandstand offering viewing and hospitality options. The course is easily accessible by road from the M3 and A316, and Kempton Park railway station is adjacent to the course with regular services from London Waterloo.
Kempton Park's combination of year-round all-weather racing and prestigious National Hunt fixtures makes it one of the most important courses in the calendar. The King George VI Chase is a race that every jump racing fan circles in their calendar, and the all-weather programme provides daily opportunities for racecard study throughout the year.