Kempton Park today announced the successful completion of its latest All Weather track refurbishment, as part of an ongoing commitment to providing an excellent racing surface through regular maintenance and rejuvenation.
These latest refurbishment works saw 56 tonnes of the original blended wax added to the racing line and 14 yards wide in the home straight. It means The Jockey Club has spent nearly £1m on maintaining the quality of the racing surface in the last four years.
Barney Clifford, Regional Head of Racing – London, The Jockey Club, said:
“As part of The Jockey Club’s ongoing investment in track maintenance we have added 56 tonnes of the originally blended wax to the racing surface to minimise surface kickback.
“Everything went to plan and we are very happy with the outcome following testing. We know just how important a top quality surface is for horsemen and believe that has played a key role in our field sizes performing so well compared to average.
“The composition of the ameliorated Polytrack surface bears many of the characteristics of a new surface so as normal it will take a little time to return to Standard going. We anticipate the going for our 1st August fixture to be Standard to Slow.”
Following racecourse gallops in the last week Trainer Pat Phelan said: “I worked two horses, one inexperienced with a lead horse and both horses really enjoyed the experience. There appeared to be virtually no kick back and both horses finished their work well.”
Apprentice Jockeys Paddy Bradley and Sophie Ralston, said: “It’s riding on the slow side as you’d expect but there seems to be plenty of bounce and my horse appeared to quicken up easier on it.”
BHA Inspector of Courses Peter Hobbs said on Wednesday morning: “The track returns more energy on impact and the kick back appears to have decreased; I agree with Clerk of the Course Barney Clifford, that it will ride on the slow side especially if the temperatures rise.”
Notes to editors
Kempton Park Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the leading racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2015: £174.2m), attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
