The story behind our racecourse
Sandown Park occupies a unique place in British racing history and has been the backdrop to legendary contests between horses and riders that remain household names.
"How pleasant once more," wrote a satisfied customer in 1879, "to find ourselves within the Sandown Club Enclosure, under a genial sky and with all the well-known surroundings of pretty women, good luncheon and good sport.
Most other racecourses evolved from misty, Medieval origins, but Sandown Park was the first purpose built racecourse with enclosures, designed to be a leisure destination.
In the words of a contemporary diarist it was 'a place where a man could take his ladies without any fear of their hearing coarse language or witnessing uncouth behaviour.'
Sandown Park was the Queen Mother's favourite course and provided a suitably impressive backdrop to the feats of Arkle, Mill Reef and Desert Orchid. Yet it has always developed in sympathy with the spirit of the times and is now one of the most modern and accessible racing venues in the country.
JOCKEY CLUB RACECOURSES
Jockey Club Racecourses own and operates 15 racecourses in the UK. As well as staging some of the highest quality racing in the country, we own some of the country's most inspiring and flexible spaces for holding conferences, concerts and exhibitions as well as many other events.
