Jockey Club Faces Criticism Over Secretive Kempton Park Sale Plans
The Jockey Club, a private and unelected body with a royal charter that has governed British racing for nearly 300 years, holds ultimate power through nine stewards elected from about 200 invited members. One of its key assets is Kempton Park, a 147-year-old, all-weather track known for hosting the King George VI Chase. Despite its profitability, the venue faces potential redevelopment, with plans that could see it bulldozed for housing near the M25 motorway, benefiting from a rail link to Waterloo.
Since 2018, Redrow has held a development option on Kempton Park. This option to purchase the course for housing development can be exercised only if planning consent is achieved. The option expires in 2028 but may receive limited extensions if a planning application is ongoing. The club emphasized that this option remains in place and any progress depends on securing planning permission.
Jim Mullen, the chief executive of the Jockey Club, described Kempton as "out of my hands" amid the ongoing speculation and coinciding with the introduction of a new government planning and infrastructure bill awaiting royal assent. This bill could reduce local council powers to block developments, potentially aiding Redrow's plans.
The Jockey Club’s earlier 2017 proposal to build 3,000 houses on Kempton faced strong opposition from racing fans, trainers, jockeys, owners, and local authorities. As a result, a 2020 alternative plan was proposed, reducing the housing number to 500 while intending to continue racing at Kempton.
Additionally, there have been suggestions from the Jockey Club about building a new all-weather track at Newmarket using proceeds from any sale of Kempton. Critics argue that these plans reveal governance issues within the club, which they see as influenced by a feudal-like structure rather than acting as a steward for the wider sport.
A spokesperson for the Jockey Club reiterated the ongoing nature of the 2018 agreement with Redrow and stressed that any change requires planning permission, leaving the future of Kempton Park uncertain.
