Sandown Park Racecourse
Home of the Coral Eclipse Day, Tingle Creek & Jump Finale Day
Sandown Park has a long and illustrious history. The racecourse was first opened in 1875, and it went on to host the Grand National Hunt Chase on Thursday 22nd April 1875 before it was eventually moved to the Cheltenham Festival.
Interestingly, Sandown became the first racecourse in England to introduce a members’ enclosure, which was in the same year that it first founded. It was also the first to charge all people attending horse racing there.
Sandown Park Racecourse Hospitality
Eventmasters are delighted to offer VIP Sandown Racecourse hospitality packages, providing outstanding service and complimentary drinks to entertain guests and clients with high-quality horse racing.
Eventmasters are delighted to offer two fantastic horse racing hospitality packages at Sandown Park with both offering a plethora of experiences. Firstly, the Equus Restaurant Hospitality Package, located so you have fantastic views of the racecourse as well as the winning post. The experiences on offer are: Premier and VIP.
We are also delighted to offer our Private Boxes Hospitality Package at Sandown Park, offering a plenty of experiences. These experiences are: Classic, Premier & VIP. With this fantastic hospitality package, you will be able to watch all of the enthralling action on offer.
Sandown Park Racecourse Hospitality for 2023/24
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Discover more about Sandown Racecourse
History of Sandown Racecourse
The Sandown Racecourse is well known for being the Queen Mother’s favourite horse racing venue. The Sandown Racecourse opened in the late 19th Century, or more specifically 1875. It was the first horse venue to charge all who attended events and races, with half a crown being the minimum payment for entry.
It was only a short time after it opened that the Sandown Racecourse hosted it’s very first three day meeting, with the Trial Stakes on Thursday 22nd April 1875. It was won by Sivori, ridden Edward Smith. He was closely followed by Boatman who was ridden by William Newhouse. They then went on to construct a royal box for the Prince of Wales.
On Saturday 24th April 1875, the Grand International Steeple Chase took place, with the winner being awarded a significant amount that came to £2,130 in total.
The Sandown Racecourse was the first ever purpose built venue with enclosures, with a view to also make it a destination for leisure.
The Nation Hunt Chase was also hosted at the Sandown racecourse, until it was eventually moved to be part of the famous Cheltenham Festival in 1911.
In 1887, another historic event happened at the Sandown Racecourse involving the Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales participated in the Grand Military Gold Cup riding Hohenlinden, and he went on to win the race. He repeated this success once again in the Eclipse Stakes in 1900 whilst riding Diamond Jubilee.
Horse racing at Sandown ceased over the course of World War One (1914 – 1918) and World War Two (1939 – 1945). In 1947, two years after the conclusion of the Second World War, saw the Sandown Racecourse make history once more. It became the very first venue to have a horse race being broadcasted live on television.
The Sandown Racecourse was chosen as the course to launch the first ever Whitbread Gold Cup in 1957 and later the Tingle Creek Chase in 1969. The name came from a horse who had won on numerous occasions at the Racecourse in the preceding years.
Fast forward to the early 1970s, the venue was closed for refurbishment and rebuilding work in 1972, before re-opening to the public and horse racing a year later in 1973.
In more recent times, the 2022 Tingle Creek Chase was won by Edwardstone, ridden by Tom Cannon. Greaneteen and Shishkin, ridden by Harry Cobden and Nico de Boinville respectively.
The Coral Eclipse is also one of the more famous races to take place at Sandown. 2024 is sure to see more historic and surprising moments at Sandown Racecourse.
Information and Facilities at Sandown Racecourse:
For owners, there is The Solario Suite, which is located on the first floor of the main grandstand. Also, on site there are 34 spacious private boxes with views of the racecourse with betting and cloakroom facilities also on offer. There is also Spaces and Suits Home, Esher Hall, Surrey Hall, Equus Suite, the Eclipse Triple Box and the Gold Cup Suite as well.
Attractions:
Skywalk Adventure
There is also a skywalk adventure venue for all the family. It has two challenging courses to choose from in what will be a fantastic day out for all.
Daytona Karting
You can also go and try some go-karting at Dayton Karting. There are several karting activities available at Daytona Karting. This includes: Junior Go Karting, Practice Sessions, Open Races, Exclusive Group Events & Championships.
Sandown Park Golf Centre
For the golf lovers out there, the Sandown Park Golf Centre is most certainly for you. There are three nine hole courses. There are also their main 9 hole Eclipse Course that has two par fives. There is also a Par 3 Masters and the Colt short game for the beginners out there.
Everyman Cinema Esher
For those who love the movies, there is a local cinema in Esher called the ‘Everyman Cinema Esher’. You can take in mainstream, classic and independent films. Special events and live satellite broadcasts are also available to watch at this cinema.
Hotels:
There are several hotels located in close proximity to the Sandown Racecourse. There are even two on site. The first is Sandown Park Lodge and it is just a few steps away from the Racecourse venue’s main entrance. The Sandown Park Lodge had 21 rooms which overlook the pre-parade ring and the stables. There are also en-suite facilities and wifi.
Another on site hotel is The Bear Hotel, which has been in existence for over 300 years and is 10 minutes from Esher Station. There is also the Apartment in Esher, Ashley Park Hotel and also the Holiday Inn Express at Epsom.
Travelling to Sandown Park Racecourse
Please use the map provided by Google for further information.
How do I get to Sandown Park Racecourse by car?
South: From the direction of London, you will need to take the A3 before you then follow the brown venue signs that say ‘Sandown Park’. You will then need to exit the A3 road and get on to the A307 and you should continue to follow the brown signs for ‘Sandown Park’. It is advised that you use a sat nav for the last part, for directions to the main car park, which is slightly off the A307 (Esher High Street). You will need to enter ‘Portsmouth Road’ into your Sat Nav.
North: From Portway Island, take the 2nd exit onto the M42 slip road, and head in the direction of M1/Solihull/Coventry/NEC/Airport/London/M40. Once you have merged onto the M42 motorway, keep right at the fork to then continue onto the M40. Then, at junction 1A you need to use the two left lanes in order to then take the M25 North/M25 South exit to head in the direction of M1/M11/Watford/M4/M23/Heathrow Airport.
Then, merge onto the M25 and at junction 10, you will need to use the left lane to take the A3 exit towards London (South West)/Guildford/Kingston and once you get to the Wisley Intechange Roundabout, you should take the 1st exit onto the A3 slip road to London South/London West/Kingston/Esher/A307.
The final part of the journey should see you merge onto Portsmouth Road/A3. Continue on this road before eventually taking the A244 exit towards Esher/Leatherhead and once you have got to the Esher Common Roundabout and then take the first exit onto Copsem Lane/A244.
Finally, turn right onto High Street/A307. Continue on this road and the venue should eventually appear on your left.
How do I get to Sandown Park Racecourse by train?
There is a train station in very close proximity to the Sandown Racecourse. The station in question is the Esher Railway Station which is located on Station Road, and it is only a 10 minute walk to the venue. If it is a cold day, leave plenty of time as crossing from the train station to the centre of the venue.
How do I get to Sandown Park Racecourse by air?
There are two local airports located in very close proximity to the Sandown Racecourse. They are Heathrow and Gatwick in London. Heathrow is 10 miles away, and Gatwick is 25 miles away from the Sandown racecourse. Taxi ranks are available from both airports.
Sandown Park Racecourse FAQs
Is the venue cashless?
Yes, Sandown Racecourse is fully cashless, with only card payments being accepted. You can only use cash for placing bets with the on site bookmakers. There are several cash machines on site at the racecourse itself.
When do the gates open for racing?
The gates will open at approximately two hours before the start of the first race of the day.
Am I able to take my dog to the Sandown Racecourse?
No, you can’t take your dog. However, you CAN bring assistance dogs, as long as you are able to produce a valid identification document from Assistance Dogs (UK) or the international equivalent.
Am I allowed to smoke at the Sandown Racecourse?
You can only smoke outside areas and balconies, but smoking is NOT permitted in the following areas: The Grandstand, The Eclipse Pavilion, Owners and Trainers (balcony included), Weighing Room (balcony included), The Summer Marquees and other tented areas.
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