Should the proposal go ahead, the King George VI would move to Sandown Racecourse, located six miles away, and an all-weather track would be built in Newmarket. A somewhat startlingly decision, given that Kempton is less than an hour train ride away from London Waterloo.
Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, Roger Weatherby, has continued to defend the sale of the track as a positive for the future of racing.
“We must show leadership with the assets we have and, where merited, take tough decisions to help our sport to keep moving forward,” Weatherby said.
“The decision to submit our estate at Kempton Park for consideration in the Local Plan is unique and has not been taken lightly.”