Secretive Kempton Park Sale Plans Raise Oversight Concerns
Kempton Park's all-weather track remains a profitable venue, notably hosting the popular King George VI Chase. However, the site faces potential redevelopment that could see it bulldozed to make way for around 3,000 new homes near the M25, with a Waterloo rail link connection of 46 minutes. The Jockey Club, which owns Kempton Park, is a private, unelected organization operating under a royal charter and is described as having feudal-like governance. Its management includes nine stewards elected from approximately 200 invited members.
Jim Mullen, CEO of the Jockey Club, has indicated that decisions about Kempton are beyond his control. He referenced a 2018 option held by the housebuilder Redrow, who currently holds a 12-year option to buy Kempton and potentially develop the site. This option was transferred to Redrow that year, although there are no concrete development plans currently active under Mullen's tenure. A pending planning bill, awaiting royal assent, may limit local councils’ powers to block such developments.
If developed, the 147-year-old track could be transformed with the construction of around 3,000 houses. Proceeds from this sale could fund a new all-weather track at Newmarket, but this move would result in long-term control of the venue transferring to a private developer. Past proposals met with opposition; in 2017, initial plans to bulldoze Kempton were highly contested, and a 2020 alternative scheme suggested 500 houses instead. The existence of Redrow’s option was first revealed in June by The Sun prior to this Guardian report.
These developments raise significant questions about oversight and accountability under the royal charter. Kempton Park serves as a major revenue source for the Jockey Club, particularly through media rights, and the Jockey Club holds substantial influence over British horse racing.
