Sandown Racecourse Guide

Located in Esher, less than half an hour by train from London Waterloo, Sandown Park Racecourse offers stunning views against a backdrop of exhilarating racing action.

One of Britain's most-loved venues, Sandown stages top level action both on the Flat and over jumps, making it a year-round venue for racegoers both in and around the English capital.

With its close proximity to London, the popularity of Sandown is no surprise and it is served by exceptional road and rail links for those day-tripping to the racecourse in pursuit of the thrills and spills of top-quality equine action.

Here's our guide to Sandown Park.

What	Tingle Creek Festival 2023
Where	Sandown Park Racecourse, Surrey
When	Friday 8th & Saturday 9th December, 2023
How to watch	bet365 Sports Live Streaming, ITV & Racing TV

Key Races at Sandown 

Flat

- bet365 Classic Trial 
- Gordon Richards Stakes 
- Brigadier Gerard Stakes 
- Eclipse Stakes 
- Atalanta Stakes 
- Solario Stakes 

Jumps

- Tingle Creek Chase 
- Henry VIII Novices' Chase 
- Tolworth Novices' Hurdle 
- Scilly Isles Novices' Chase 
- Imperial Cup 
- Celebration Chase 
- bet365 Gold Cup

Sandown offers top-class racing in both codes. Their summer highlight is the Eclipse Stakes in early July, a generational clash that often sees the Classic-generation three-year-olds staring down their older rivals for the first time in Group 1 company. 

Over jumps, the undoubted highlighted comes in early December via the Tingle Creek Chase – one of Britain's pre-eminent two-mile chases and a contest rich in history. 

The meeting also includes the Henry VIII Novices' Chase over the same course and distance, while in early January the Tolworth Novices' Hurdle becomes the first Grade 1 of the calendar year in Britain.

In April, the bet365 Jumps Finale meeting brings down the curtain on the National Hunt season and includes the Grade 1 Celebration Chase and the bet365 Gold Cup.

Track Layout 

On the Flat, the track at Sandown is right-handed, oval-shaped and thirteen furlongs in length with a straight of half a mile. It is regarded as a fair, galloping course which places the emphasis on stamina courtesy of a gradual climb from the home turn to the winning line. 

The five-furlong sprint track runs across the main circuit and rises steadily throughout and racing on the running rail can be an advantage there.

Over jumps, Sandown's test is one of the purest on British soil with the renowned line of seven fences in the back straight, the last three of which are known as the Railway Fences and are situated close together; sure to test any horses' ability to get into a jumping rhythm.

The hurdles course is often more testing than the chase course during winter months, with gruelling slow motion finishes quite often the order of the day.

The wide nature of the home straight at Sandown gives the leaders plenty of opportunity to get lonely in front and races often change dramatically late on.

Visiting Sandown

As mentioned, proximity to Central London makes Sandown a hugely popular destination for those wanting to take in a top-class day at the races. 

There are plenty of hospitality options from pre-booked boxes to the Equus Restaurant. The Premier Enclosure offers an exclusive walk-in restaurant, The Brasserie, while The 1875 Lounge is a chic, light and spacious area, designed to offer a modern and unforgettable racegoer experience.

The Grandstand Enclosure offers views of the parade ring, finishing line, a picnic area and various information points.

As with other Jockey Club courses, Sandown aims to make racing something that can be enjoyed by 'anyone and everyone' and, to that end, the dress code simply implores visitors to come "dressed to feel your best".

The Food Court located in the Surrey Hall of the main Grandstand provides a variety of tasty options, including Crackle & Hum, which provides hot drinks and grab and go snacks