Kempton Park, a significant venue in British horse racing and famously home to the historic King George VI Chase, was proposed for closure primarily to facilitate housing redevelopment.
Details of the Proposal
The announcement regarding Kempton Park's potential closure came as a considerable surprise to the horse racing community. Key aspects of the proposal included:
- Primary Reason: The main driving force behind the proposed closure was to free up the land for housing development.
- Responsible Body: The proposals were put forth by Jockey Club Racecourses, the owners and operators of Kempton Park.
- Earliest Timeline: While a definitive date was not set, the earliest suggested timeline for such a closure was projected to be from 2021 at the earliest.
- Impact on Racing: The news "stunned" the racing world, given Kempton Park's prominent status and its role in hosting prestigious events like the King George VI Chase.
This proposal aimed to leverage the value of the site for residential purposes, marking a significant potential shift for one of the sport's most iconic locations.
